Dear SCU Community:

We can’t believe that it is already August with the upcoming school year just around the corner.  We are excited about getting things started for the upcoming academic year.

Even though it is summer time, it has been a busy time on many fronts. For example, the various units in the Division prepared modules that will be shared with the incoming students for Orientation.

We hope that you have had the opportunity to take time off and practice self-care amid everything that has been taking place. 

JEDI Strategic Plan Update

We continue to review the respective plans that have been developed and are working on finalizing Executive summaries for each area and bringing all of that together into one plan based around the Inclusive Excellence framework. As a reminder, the Inclusive Excellence Framework is focused on five areas – Access & Success, Education & Scholarship, Infrastructure & Accountability, Community Engagement and Climate & Intergroup Relations.  We are excited to share more details with the university community in September and October. 

 UNIT UPDATES

I. Division of Inclusive Excellence

• Working closely with the leadership of the Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council (IESAC) as well as the Multicultural Center (MCC) leadership as they gear up for their plans for this upcoming year. 
• Planning for a joint Division retreat with Mission and Ministry in Fall
• The VPDEI had the opportunity to be a part of the 2022-2023 cohort with the AJCU Ignatian Colleagues Program (ICP).

II. LEAD Scholars

• The LEAD Scholars Program is excited to welcome Veronica Villa, our new Assistant Director of Student Advocacy. She started July 11th and will be working with Jessica Johns, our Associate Director of Student Advocacy, to provide support services for LEAD Scholars including advising, connections with campus and community resources, and financial assistance. Veronica received her B.A., Teaching Credential and M.A. at SCU, and participated in the Bridge Program, the predecessor to LEAD as an undergraduate student.

III. Office for Accessible Education

• As of July 11, 2022, James Marik is serving as the newly named Director in the Office for Accessible Education. Previously, James served as the Associate Director for OAE.

IV. Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

• Title IX-  Notice of Proposed Rule: Recently, the Department of Education released the 2022 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking document.  
• As a reminder, in May 2020 the federal government provided new regulations for Title IX for enforcement in August 2020. With the assistance of many key stakeholders on campus we made numerous modifications to our university policies, procedures and definitions in order to be in compliance with these regulations. The result of that was our current Interim Policy on Non Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. 
• Under the current administration, new regulations are now being proposed and have been released to the public for review, question and comment. The question and comment period typically lasts for approximately sixty (60) days. 
• Be advised that over the course of this academic year, we will be completing a comprehensive review of our current policies and procedures as well as the proposed regulations. We will modify our policies as necessary in preparation for enforcement in the 2023/2024 Academic year. The current interim policies and procedures will remain in effect for the duration of this upcoming academic year so as to remain in compliance with the current regulations. 

V. Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)

• Postings for Tenure-Track positions for the 2023-2024 academic year are becoming available. We encourage colleagues to review the postings and to share with interested colleagues throughout your networks. Latest postings can be found: https://www.scu.edu/hr/careers/
• SpeakOut Institute – we had over thirty faculty and staff participate in the 4-day virtual institute sponsored by the SpeakOut Institute. This was the third straight year that the SpeakOut Institute was made available to faculty and staff. 
• In light of recent U.S. Supreme court decisions and other events taking place, ODI coordinated a series of Dialogue Circles in July and early August. We are appreciative of the faculty, staff and students that were engaged in the open conversations. We will be using the feedback to map out more formal Community Conversations as well as additional Dialogue Circle opportunities.

VI. Office for Multicultural Learning (OML)

• Did you know that August is National Black Business Month and Transgender History Month? Follow OML and the RRC on social media to learn more about these awareness months and how to get involved!
• In collaboration with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, OML and the RRC will be participating in webinars for parents of incoming first-year and transfer students as a part of Orientation programming. These webinars will be hosted on Wednesday, August 10th (12pm-12pm), Thursday, August 11th (4pm-5pm), and Monday, August 15th (4pm-5pm).
• The Director and Assistant Director of OML/RRC continue to provide trainings and workshops for departments and units across campus. Sessions include meeting with the new Doctoral interns in CAPS, providing DEI trainings for Residence Life Formation, a Safe Space Training for LEAD Professional Staff, a DEI training for the Operations Division, and a Safe Space training for Spiritual Facilitator Formation.

VII. Office of the University Ombuds

• Have you ever been stumped about how to communicate well or better with a colleague or supervisor? Have you felt stuck because you didn’t know how to give feedback to another person that could be better received? The University Ombuds can help. Through a process of communication coaching the ombuds can help you clarify your communication goals, better understand the impacts of communication for building a supportive working climate, and to carefully construct a message to share a concern, or deliver feedback that aims to invite safety, understanding, and respect; preserving and strengthening a supportive climate. 
• For a basic breakdown of an I-statement feel free to check out the Ombuds website: https://www.scu.edu/ombuds/ 
• Email ombuds@scu.edu or call: 408-551-3542

CAMPUS PARTNERS

Bronco Exchange

• We wanted to highlight Bronco Exchange – a collaboration between Career Services and the Alumni Association. We encourage students, faculty and staff to take advantage of this important networking and mentoring opportunity. For more information, please contact Chris Harris, charris2@scu.edu and/or Zach Plaza, zplaza@scu.edu to learn more.

Alumni Association

• The Inclusive Excellence has been working closely with Alumni on different fronts - from focus group discussions on the diversity strategic planning process, to ongoing efforts with the Alumni Entity Council, the Welcome Back receptions and the upcoming Grand Reunion efforts. We recently received a request from Alumni to subscribe to the Inclusive Excellence Newsletter. If alumni are interested, we ask that they complete this form.  Please share with interested alumni.

The Division newsletter will continue to be published throughout the summer to provide important updates as we gear up for the new academic year ahead. If you would like to have items includes in the newsletter, please contact rplaza@scu.edu