Commitment to DEI Continues

NEWS FROM CAMPUS COMMITMENT TO DEI CONTINUES THROUGH NO PLACE FOR HATE INITIATIVE

Since the 2018-2019 school year, an important piece of the Holy Cross antiracism and social justice advocacy efforts has been our participation in the Anti Defamation League (ADL) No Place for Hate initiative. This year, Holy Cross renewed its commitment as a No Place for Hate school. The designation requires several action steps to be taken to help the school continue to build a community where all students can thrive, feel safe and know they belong.

This year, the students and faculty/staff members of the Antiracism and Social Justice Advocacy team coordinated the program for the school community. All students started the process by signing a “No Place for Hate Pledge” committing to form a community of respect. Then, during two advisory periods, students explored the theme “Bias in our Everyday Lives.” The objectives of the activities included reflecting on everyday biases and the impact it has on individuals in targeted groups and exploring what actions can be taken to make Holy Cross and the larger community more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

As an additional component to the student portion, Holy Cross faculty and staff participated in a professional day in March led by two ADL specialists. The program called “A World of Difference Institute,” helps participants recognize that “attitudes and beliefs affect actions, and that each of us can have an impact on others, and ultimately, on the world in which we live.” The ADL team completed a needs assessment to determine priorities for Holy Cross. From this, three area of focus were determined: to provide students with the tools to build knowledge and skills to successfully live and work in a diverse global community; to understand and work cooperatively with students, staff, or families who have different languages and cultures; and to create an educational environment where students, staff and families of different backgrounds can work together successfully. The professional day included examining personal identity “icebergs” and developing an understanding of colleagues; learning more about implicit bias and engaging in a gallery walk activity to discuss and learn from colleagues about ways in which to approach conversations with students and faculty/staff on difficult topics.

In March, No Place for Hate coordinator Lindsey Tonks received word that Holy Cross had fulfilled the requirements to be a 2021-2022 No Place for Hate School. The school received official designation in June during a special ceremony that took place virtually.