Diversity, respect and inclusion 鈥� these were the words that resonated throughout this year鈥檚 Diversity Summit at CU-Boulder, Nov. 13-14.
Attendees were encouraged to ask themselves what these words mean, and answers revealed a range of nuanced perspective. The Summit, which CU has hosted for the past nineteen years, offers a space for students, faculty and staff to come together and discuss how,coming from all types of backgrounds, we treat one another. Speakers and panelists hailed from a multitude of CU campus departments and colleges, as well as representatives from the City of Boulder and the State of Colorado. The event began with opening remarks from Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano and Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia 鈥� both individuals who have been invested in the progression of diversity at CU for the past several decades.
鈥淥n a diverse campus, diversity comes in all forms,鈥� DiStefano said. 鈥淭he exchange of ideas and knowledge among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives is a hallmark of our education, and one that we鈥檙e committed to here at CU-Boulder.鈥�
The chancellor added that diversity is truly reflected by how students of varying backgrounds are given the support they need to be successful. Achieving this, he said, requires consideration of the campus culture.
鈥淲e cannot change the climate by an administrative decree,鈥� DiStefano said. 鈥淐hanging the culture takes a community. It takes faculty who take time to work with the students who are taking on the challenge.鈥�
Garcia, who attended CU as an undergraduate, added that although diverse representation has improved dramatically at CU, there鈥檚 still a long way to go, and attention to socioeconomic challenges are crucial.
鈥淚f a student meets the admission requirements for CU, shouldn鈥檛 CU be saying, 鈥榳e believe you will graduate鈥�?鈥� asked Garcia. 鈥淲e need to continue to put thought into the persistent gap鈥his is an issue that is as relevant now as it was when I was I was a student, both in college and elementary school.鈥�
Extending the attitude set by the opening talks, CU鈥檚 grassroots, ad hoc 鈥淩espect Campaign Team鈥� maintained a presence throughout the two day event. A booth in the UMC hallway featured literature on the campaign, an oath of diversity and inclusion for attendees to sign and an interactive 鈥減hoto booth.鈥� The photo booth asked individuals to answer one of several questions on a dry erase board, have their picture taken and explain their response on camera. Questions included: what is diversity; what is inclusion; and what is respect?
Merlyn Holmes, communication coordinator for graduate studies, serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Summit committee and has been involved with the respect campaign since its formation this past summer. Like the respect campaign, Holmes said, the mission of the summit is one that echoes a request for 鈥渇oundational human behaviors,鈥� like inclusion, collaboration and acceptance.
More than 30 panels and workshops were scheduled throughout the two days, presented by CU students, faculty and staff members from groups like the . Topics included the integration of multiculturalism in school curricula, environmental justice, sexual diversity and classism. To view videos of summit presentations visit the .
Doctorate student with the Journalism and Mass Communication program, Samira Rajabi, led one of the workshops titled 鈥淚dentity Construction: Personal Road Maps and Equity.鈥� Rajabi was previously on the , and her workshop built upon the committee鈥檚 2005 report 鈥淚mproving the Campus Environment for Women.鈥� Rajabi鈥檚 graduate research investigates gender and violence issues teamed with opportunity in new media.
Incorporating a hands-on beading activity, Rajabi asked participants to select beads that represented aspects of their individual identity, thinking about how they fit into CU-Boulder鈥檚 campus environment or not. Participants were then asked to share with one another which beads they chose and why.
鈥淎 lot of stuff happens on campus,鈥� Rajabi said, 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 racially motivated, gender motivated or something else鈥ere we can come together as students, staff and faculty, and听 talk about the things we glaze over on campus in depth, for those of us who want more than just a page on the syllabus.鈥�