The Division of Equity and Inclusion has initiated #DAPTalks, a series of lunchtime sessions to highlight work and foster communication and collaboration across Diversity Action Plan working groups at the UO.
The first #DAPtalk occurred in November and the next talks are scheduled for Feb. 8 and Mar. 7. The upcoming Feb. 8 session is “Tools for Building an Inclusive Environment” and will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Gerlinger Lounge.
A panel of speakers will address the session. Damien Pitts, academic adviser and diversity specialist in the Lundquist College of Business will speak on “From Multiculturalism to MYculturalism: The Tale of Exclusive Inclusiveness.”
Brice Kuhl, associate professor of psychology, will address the general topic of “Building an Inclusive Community.” Maja Wright-Phillips and Taylor Fowler, both from University Advancement, will discuss “Advancement Tools and Techniques for Conversations on Inclusion.” An RSVP requested.
The initial #DAPtalk on “How to Build an Inclusive Community in your Unit” was Nov. 14 and included a panel of speakers from across campus. Panelists were Kassy Fisher, associate vice president for campus services, Jaclyn Kellon, graduate innovation fellow in chemistry and biochemistry, and Dyana Mason, assistant professor director of the graduate certificate in nonprofit management.
Victoria DeRose, director of the Center on Diversity and Community in the Division of Equity and Inclusion and associate vice president for equity and inclusion, said the first #DAPtalk was very well attended.
“We are seeing people from units and schools across campus come to talk about how they are activating their plans and talk about the opportunities and challenges they are experiencing,” she said. “These lunchtime sessions provide an opportunity for those doing the work to hear new ideas, get support and collaborate.”
Diversity Action Plans are based on the university’s IDEAL framework, which resulted from two years of consultation with a spectrum of campus constituencies. The framework comprises five key pillars: inclusion, diversity, evaluation, achievement and leadership.
Thirty-five units within the university, including every school and college, used the framework to create individualized Diversity Action Plans to enhance and sustain the work of diversity, equity and inclusion at the UO and reflect the individual, as well as the collective, needs of units and stakeholders. Plans were submitted, reviewed and are now in the implementation phase, with many projects and plans already underway.
For more information see the #DAPtalks webpage on the DEI website.
—By tova stabin, University Communications