Inclusive Excellence Newsletter - November 2022
Dear SCU Community:
The month of October highlighted the breadth of what Santa Clara University has to offer from the Inauguration festivities, to Grand Reunion, the announcement of the Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone Student Scholarship and Indigenous People’s Day, and countless other departmental and student-led events.
We continue to be in solidarity with our Iranian students, faculty and staff and MENA community as they continue to raise awareness about the unfolding protests in Iran in the aftermath of the death of Mahsa Amini. In addition, our prayers with our Korean community as they mourn the tragic deaths over the weekend, as well as our Indian community mourning the deaths from the bridge collapse. We encourage students to take advantage of the resources available through CAPS at the Cowell Center and faculty/staff encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
As we approach the final weeks of the academic term, we encourage our faculty, staff and students to take time for yourselves and to stay healthy. In addition, we want to lift up the Month of Gratitude efforts taking place on the campus this November.
Remember to exercise your right to VOTE on Tuesday, November 8th and let your voice be heard.
Finally, on this Day of the Dead, we remember the treasured memories of our loved ones that are no longer with us. May their memories continue to guide each of us.
JEDI Strategic Plan Update
During the Diversity Celebration that will be held on Wednesday, November 9th, we will be unveiling the contours of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Strategic Plan. It is an exciting time as we showcase the collective efforts and commitments made throughout the campus to help build upon our collective JEDI efforts and continue to transform the institution.
UNIT UPDATES
I. Inclusive Excellence Division
- Thank you to the faculty, staff and students that participated in the Fall Quarter Diversity Forum that was held on October 24, 2022. The Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council (IESAC) will be sharing updates. Future Forums will be held on February 6, 2023 and May 1, 2023.
- We are pleased to announce that Aaron Zisser will start on December 1st as the new Director in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX. Special thanks to the committee and to everyone that attended the open forums with the candidates.
- Congratulations in order for Ray Plaza. As of October 1st, Ray is now the Senior Director in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. In addition, on Friday, October 28th, Ray was named as one of ACPA’s 2023 Diamond Honoree recipients.
II. LEAD Scholars
- The LEAD Scholars Program hopes that you'll join us for the National First-generation College Celebration, which will take place throughout the week of Nov. 7th, including a faculty and staff workshop providing an overview of LEAD and the ways we'd love to collaborate to support first-generation college students. For more details about this event and other events offered throughout our campus, please see a calendar here.
III. Office for Accessible Education (OAE)
- We want to welcome our new Office Manager Chris Smead. Chris comes to us from San Jose State University where he worked in the Wellness Center. Chris's hobbies include photography (Csmeadphotography), anything outdoors and finding the best spot for tacos.
- The Office of Accessible Education is located in the Lower level of Benson Memorial next to the radio station / down the hall from The Cellar. We are open Monday - Friday 8am-5pm for any and all questions. There is also a large quiet area to study or prepare for classes.
- Any questions about OAE and the services provided can either be emailed to OAE@scu.edu or feel free to call us at 408-554-4109.
IV. Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)
- Friday, November 11th will mark Veteran’s Day. On this occasion we want to recognize the student veteran leaders of the Student Veterans of America Chapter at SCU. Preston Wtluch (President), Keanu Spindola (Vice President), JW Jeong (Treasurer), William Lau (Secretary) and Meghan Jackson (Event Coordinator). More details will be shared via email.
- 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 .
- Tenure Track positions for the 2023-2024 academic year continue to remain open. Please share information about these exciting opportunities ith your colleagues and peers at other institutions. To learn more, please visit: https://www.scu.edu/hr/careers
- Dates and times for the Fall quarter Safe Space and UndocuAlly Workshops are available online. Schedule for Winter quarter sessions will be available in early December.
- The 3rd SCU PowWow is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023. Stay tuned for future emails to learn about ways to get involved on the planning committee.
V. Office for Multicultural Learning (OML)
OML/RRC professional and student staff team bonding at bowling!
- November 1st begins Native American Heritage Month! Join OML and the RRC as we honor and celebrate our Native and Indigenous community - locally, nationally, and globally. Stay tuned to our social media for more information about upcoming events and collaborations. In the meantime, take a listen to our Native American Heritage Month playlist on Spotify to support Native and Indigenous music artists!
- November also brings Transgender Awareness Week, held annually between November 13th-19th. The week ends with Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, where we honor members of the trans community whom we have lost in the past year. The RRC will be hosting a variety of events throughout the week, including:
- Vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance on Monday, November 14th from 7pm-8pm on the steps of the Mission Church.
- Butterfly Performance by Goddexx - a Native and Non-Binary poet and author - on Tuesday, November 15th from 6pm-7:30pm in the California Mission Room.
- Paint & Sip with a trans artist on Friday, November 18th from 5pm-7pm in Alameda Hall, Room 101.
- Did You Know that OML/RRC is bringing back its Multicultural Learning Grants? OML's Multicultural Learning Grants are supported by the Erkman Endowment Fund to help support collaborative efforts that enhance multicultural learning and education at SCU. Grants are open to students, staff, and faculty. To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit OML's website here.
- Congratulations to Bernell Nevil, who was recently promoted from Assistant Director to Associate Director! Stop by the Office for Multicultural Learning at 832 Market Street to share in the joy!
VI. Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
- 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
- About the Equity Hearing Panel
The Director will establish the appropriate hearing body drawn from the pool used to constitute the Equity Hearing Panel (hereafter, "Panel"). The formal grievance process relies on a pool of faculty and staff to carry out the process. Members of the Pool are announced in an annual distribution of this Policy to all students, parents/guardians of students, employees, prospective students, and prospective employees.
Pool Member Roles
Members of the Pool are trained annually, and may be called to serve in one of the following roles:
• To act as a University Process Advisor to the parties.
• To serve as a hearing facilitator, decision-maker, and Chair.
• To serve as an Appeal decision-maker.
Members of the pool are typically trained in a variety of skill sets and can rotate amongst the different roles listed above in different cases. The University can also designate permanent roles for individuals in the Pool, using others as substitutes, or to provide greater depth of experience when necessary. This process of role assignment may be the result of particular skills, aptitudes, or talents identified in members of the Pool that make them best suited for specific roles.
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 Interim Director Jenna Elliott (jrelliott@scu.edu).
- 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.
- REQUEST FOR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FORM:
- 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 holiday season and finals these stressful times can 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 Interim Director, Jenna Elliott. 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.
VII. Office of the University Ombuds
- There is more to learn from the Office of the University Ombuds. Check the website for additional content coming soon. Learn the ins and outs of the mediation process- a confidential dialogue meant for building understanding and problem solving. Check out Scu.edu/ombuds for upcoming information. Do you have specific issues you’d like to share confidentially with the Ombuds? Or Would you like the Ombuds to attend an upcoming department or division meeting for an informational presentation? Please contact the Office of the University Ombuds at ombuds@scu.edu or call 408-551-3542.
CAMPUS PARTNERS
We want to highlight the upcoming SCU Mission Week from the Mission and Ministry Area
Mission Week is a celebration of the mission of Santa Clara University. It is about a purpose - our purpose, as a Jesuit, Catholic university. It is why we tackle issues of justice as we look back on our past. It is why we consider new perspectives on leadership as we look to the future. It is why we prioritize care for our common home always. It is through our Jesuit values that we find meaning and purpose.
Join us the week of November 14-18 for this inaugural event as we embrace our values and celebrate our collective mission-driven work.
Visit go.scu.edu/missionweek for more event information
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 that will soon be added to the Inclusive Excellence website. You can also send your program information to inclusiveexcellence@scu.edu.
Don’t forget to join us
Celebrating SCU’s JEDI Efforts and First Gen Broncos
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sobrato Campus for Innovation and Discovery (SCDI) Courtyard
The celebration is open to all members of the university community with a short program beginning at 4:30pm, and includes a reception with free food, DJ and fun giveaways
