Dear Bronco Family,

         “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

                                               ― Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can't Wait 

The start of 2023 has been quite challenging. We have contended with an atmospheric river and environmental challenges that have impacted and displaced our most vulnerable populations.  The U.S. has experienced an onslaught of mass shootings, several of which have directly affected our surrounding communities, specifically Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay and Oakland. Earlier last month we tragically lost Tyre Nichols due to police violence and have been retraumatized by the video released last week. We are also currently contending with the aftermath of layoffs from tech companies that have had a tremendous impact on local families and communities.

Just as we have been affected by local and national events, our SCU community is also shaped by what is happening on the global level. Whether it’s the continued movement in Iran as they have surpassed 100 days in their fight for Women, Life, Freedom with over 500 protesters, including children, killed in the fight for human rights, to the ongoing political struggles in Peru, the increasing violence in the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, the worker strikes in the United Kingdom and the continued impact of COVID19 in different parts of the world.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and as we continue to uproot systemic and structural oppression and fight for human and civil rights we need to continue in our work as accomplices by helping one another. We need to fully lean into building a just, humane and sustainable world through our actions and contributions and commitment to creating a world where thriving for all is paramount. 

As we reflect on what is going on in the world, we want to highlight a few passages from All About Love by Bell Hooks, “I feel our nation’s turning away from love…moving into a wilderness of spirit so intense we may never find our way home again. I write of love to bear witness both to the danger in this movement, and to call for a return to love.” “Everywhere we learn that love is important, and yet we are bombarded by its failure…. This bleak picture in no way alters the nature of our longing. We still hope that love will prevail. We still believe in love's promise.”  (Igwebuike will be coordinating a book discussion on All About Love later this month)

During this time, how can we care for ourselves while serving others? Each of us will respond to challenges differently. Please know that there are care and support resources for students and faculty/staff.

Black History Month 2023

A number of Black History month events will be taking place throughout the month of February. We encourage the SCU community to keep updated via email and other social media channels for upcoming events. A few of the events are spotlighted throughout the newsletter.  The Inclusive Excellence Division is committed to coordinating a better and refined calendar for events and activities for all of the upcoming respective heritage months.

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 UNIT UPDATES 

I.   Inclusive Excellence Division

• For the second year, we will be hosting Dr. Khalid el-Hakim and the Black History 101 Mobile Museum on the SCU campus. The display will be available in the St. Claire Room, 4th floor of the Library on Tuesday, February 14th from 10am – 4pm, with a formal presentation from 12:30 – 1:30pm.  Dr. el-Hakim will be engaging with different SCU classes on Monday, February 13th.
• The Winter Quarter Diversity Forum will take place on Monday, February 6th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at the Williman Room, Benson Student Center.  Special thanks to the Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council (IESAC) for their collaboration.
• On Friday, February 3rd, Inclusive Excellence will be hosting a Farewell Brunch for Joanna Thompson from 11 - 1pm in Lucas 126. Feel free to stop by and wish Joanna the best on her new endeavors. You can also include your special notes and photos for a keepsake for Joanna at the following link: https://thenotecube.com/group/start.php?boxid=b7a2915872 

 II.  LEAD Scholars Program

• The LEAD Scholars Program kicked off it's 20th Anniversary events with two events in January: an in-person celebration with birthday cake, and a virtual event with alumni and current students sharing reflections on their LEAD experience. Thanks to all who joined us! 

• Please join us for LEAD's next anniversary celebration:
  • LEAD with Fun: Family Festival - Join us as we celebrate LEAD’s 20th Anniversary with the best part of LEAD, our community! LEAD students, alumni, families and friends are invited to participate in fun activities for the whole family, as well as food and entertainment. 
    
    • Saturday, February 25 from 1-4 PM, Locatelli Center
    • Register here. Buy your tickets early -- capacity is limited!
      • General Admission: $10
      • Current LEAD students and children 12 and under: Free 

• You are also invited to join us for: 
  • LEAD Symposium:  Join us as our first-year LEAD Scholars present on research projects developed in their English course. We will begin with a short welcome in the St. Clare room before students present in small groups throughout the library. Presentation location information will be available in the front lobby of the Library and in the St. Clare room. No RSVP needed.
    
    • Wednesday, February 22 from 6-8 PM, Learning Commons and Library

• The LEAD Scholars Program will also offer a range of programming to our students through February including a game night and a retreat in collaboration with Campus Ministry.

III.  Multicultural Center (MCC)

• Igwebuike, the Black Student Union will be coordinating different events to help celebrate Black History month. Among these include:
• Book Club focusing on All About Love by Bell Hooks
• Restorative Justice Session on February 2nd with special guest "Malachi" Scott from 6-8pm in the California Mission Room, Benson

IV. Office of Accessible Education (OAE)

• Hello from the OAE!! We have made it to week 4!!!!. As testing is picking up, we ask that those that test with us remember that you need to schedule your exams (7) days in advance. There are no exemptions to this as we have limited space in our testing areas. 
• If you have any questions in regards to accommodations we encourage all students to stop by Benson 1 at any time or to send an email to OAE@scu.edu 

V.  Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

• As a reminder, all University Staff and Faculty (except for designated confidential entities within CAPS and the Wellness Center and Clergy during the Act of Confession) are Mandatory Reporters. As we near the Spring season and Valentine's Day these times can be stressful or serve as triggers to some individuals. Please be mindful that our students and fellow staff and faculty may need some extra support during these times. If you have been notified of a potential gender based harassment/ discrimination or sexual misconduct situation, you need to complete the Request for Support and Assistance Form or email Director, Aaron Zisser. If you have any general concerns about a student's well-being, please submit a Student of Concern Report. Remember our culture of CARE here at SCU and our mission to care for our community members and to meet them where they are with the support resources they need and deserve.  
• Seeking volunteers to serve on the Equity Hearing Panel: The University's Equity Hearing Panel is in need of additional Faculty and Staff members to assist with the formal hearing and adjudication process for Gender and Sexual Based Harassment and Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct cases. Equity Hearing Panelists (Panel) receive annual training to ensure they are equipped with the skills to evaluate cases in the formal hearing process and serve as decision makers in Title IX related cases. The panel may conduct extensive questioning of the parties and witnesses during the hearing itself but do NOT serve as investigators. Refer to Page 42 of our Policy  

• • The Director, Student Affairs Committee, and Staff Affairs Committee, appoint/elect members of the Pool to formal grievances involving student and staff Respondents. The members of the Pool act with independence and impartiality.
  • The Faculty Judicial Board is appointed per the provisions of the Faculty Handbook and University governance process. The Faculty Judicial Board acts with independence and impartiality to hear formal grievances involving faculty Respondents. 
  • Panel Appointment: 
Pool members are usually appointed to three-year terms. Individuals who are interested in serving in the pool are encouraged to contact the UCC. You may also directly reach out to Director Aaron Zisser (azisser@scu.edu). 

 VI.  Office for Diversity and Inclusion

• Special thank you to the Transfer students that made it to the Winter Quarter Transfer Student social as well as the supporting departments. This is part of a broader effort to strengthen transfer student belonging on the campus.

• Department/Unit Climate Studies - since 2020, ODI has helped different academic and non-academic units conduct and implement a departmental climate study. If your department/area is interested in such a study in Winter/Spring 2023, please reach out to rplaza@scu.edu. 
• Please continue to give to support the Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone Student Scholarship. The scholarship was officially endowed and announced on Indigenous People's Day. We need your contributions to help further expand the scholarship.
• Save the Date for the 3rd Annual SCU PowWow for Saturday, May 6, 2023 on the St. Ignatian Lawn. 
• Dates for the Winter and Spring Quarter SafeSpace and UnDocuAlly workshops are being finalized and will be sent via a separate announcement.
• The next scheduled Dialogue Circle for members of the SCU community to come together and engage virtually in the aftermath of the release of the Tyre Nichols video. The session will be on Thursday, February 2nd, from 12 - 1pm and we ask that you register if interested. 

 VII.  Office for Multicultural Learning

• OML will be celebrating Lunar New Year with its 2nd Annual Celebration on Thursday, February 2nd at 4pm outside of Benson between the Shapell Lounge and Bronco Bookstore. The celebration will feature a showcase of traditional Vietnamese and Chinese outfits, a Lion Dance, and more! We would like to thank our amazing co-sponsors: VSA (Vietnamese Student Association), CSA (Chinese Student Association), KSA (Korean Student Association), the MCC (Multicultural Center), and the Global Engagement Office. Thank you for all you have done to help plan, prepare, and host a happy Lunar New Year celebration! 
• On Sunday, February 5th between 10am-4pm, we will be hosting a Mobile Barbershop with ClipDart, an organization that seeks to improve mental wellness through selfless, mobile barbers and hairstylers. Two local barbers will be providing free haircuts in Finn Commons in the Finn Residential Hall. This event is free and open to all members of our campus community! 
• Join the RRC and SCCAP on Saturday, February 11th from 5pm-10pm in the California Mission Room (lower level of Benson) for our first in-person Drag Show since 2019! We will be joined by RuPaul's Drag Race alum, Jackie Cox as well as two local queens, Jackie Layshun and Alpha Andromeda. The evening will include performances by the queens, rounds of Bingo, dancing, and more! 

• OML and the RRC are proud to support and work with Igwe on a variety of events in honor of Black History Month. Stay tuned for more info on both OML and Igwe's social media accounts.
• Want to learn more about the Office for Multicultural Learning and the Rainbow Resource Center? Check out the catalog of our student-led newsletters: The Gay Agenda and The Multicultural Agenda. Feel free to subscribe so you don't miss another beat for all things OML and RRC!

 VIII.  University Ombuds

• The Office of the Ombuds provides multipartial, informal and confidential services to visitors from across SCU to promote a climate of dignity and respect. As we march on into 2023 we will encounter adversity not just professionally, but in many or all spheres of our lives. Some of these challenges will require difficult encounters which are capable of preserving humane spaces for dialogue.
• If you would like to learn more about engaging in humane dialogue for whatever challenge you encounter contact the Ombuds at ombuds@scu.edu ; 408-551-3542.

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DEI RESOURCES FROM THE LIBRARY

Book: The Dead are arising: the life of Malcolm X: In 1990 Payne embarked on a nearly thirty-year-long quest to interview anyone he could find who had actually known Malcolm X. All living siblings of the Malcolm Little family, classmates, street friends, cellmates, Nation of Islam figures, FBI moles and cops, and political leaders around the world. His goal: to transform what would become over a hundred hours of interviews into an unprecedented portrait of Malcolm X, one that would separate fact from fiction. Available in the Library Main Stacks, or through LINK+

Video:  Black America since MLK: and still I rise. Touch the Sky: The final hour brings the story up to the present day. Henry Louis Gates celebrates how far African Americans have come toward equality and raises hard questions about the obstacles that remain.  A curated list of films celebrating Black History Month are also available on Kanopy. Available on Kanopy

Music: Music Online: American Music: A streaming music service containing over 600,000 tracks reflecting the music of all American ethnic groups and regions, from the Revolutionary War to the present. Includes all the music formerly available in the African American Song database - under Genre, click African American Music.

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CAMPUS DIVERSITY CALENDAR

The Inclusive Excellence Division is committed to expanding awareness of the different diversity-related programming taking place on-campus. For those that use the Live-Whale Calendar, you can use the “diversity” tag to ensure that events will appear on the Diversity calendar on the Inclusive Excellence website. You can also send your program information to inclusiveexcellence@scu.edu.