Unity Star
Distribution: All Without OPS and F
Spring 2015
Newsletter
Recap and Coming Soon
Last semester saw an array of wonderful activities for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. We had a great time planning and preparing for Diversity Week. We had a historical guest speaker at the Diversity Breakfast, Mr. Julian Bond, as well as a record-breaking Retired U.S. Air Force pilot/author, Colonel Richard Toliver, at the fall DiversiTea. We also welcomed our new Chief Diversity Officer, Karen Morrison, to the UCF family. We want to thank every one of you that participated, presented, sat in the audience, and contributed to making this your Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As we initiate 2015, there will be numerous changes coming your way. We are introducing four new workshops this semester, and we welcome back Ms. Tee Rogers, who will be presenting Secular and Religious
Minority Awareness on February 25 and April 24. This semester we also will witness the revamping of the ODI website, and our very own Barbara Thompson has some great plans underway for the Summer Faculty Development Conference in May. We hope you join us!
Top left: Civil Rights Era Leader and American University Professor, Julian Bond, spoke at the 2014 Diversity Breakfast. Left: Mr. Bond with President Hitt and Dr. Schell. Top: Col. Richard Toliver signs a copy of his book immediately after his presentation in November. A copy of his book, An Uncaged Eagle, is available in the UCF Library.
A Message from our Chief Diversity Officer One month into my tenure as Chief Diversity Officer one thing is quite clear to me – the university leadership and community are committed to excellence and innovation. My hiring represents a new approach to developing an inclusive culture and structure. UCF has many programs designed to improve diverse representation and experience. My job is to support that work and bring cohesion to efforts as leaders in higher education diversity and inclusion. We are articulating our mission, vision and foundational work in new ways:
and interactions amongst community members. Respect for and inclusion of diverse voices
The mission of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to collaborate with the University of Central Florida community to advocate for and educate about the university’s goal of becoming more diverse and inclusive.
Recognizing that each of us is an intersection of many aspects of diversity emphasizes the complexity of our experiences and the need to develop a culture that appreciates difference and sees diversity as a strength in our role as educational leaders.
Our vision is to position UCF as a center of excellence that is nationally recognized as a higher education model for our diversity and inclusion practices, policies, and culture. UCF is strongest as a higher education institution, employer and community leader when we bring diverse thought and experience to our decision-making, teaching, research,
• Drive innovative thought and action; • Maximize the talent and contributions of faculty, staff and students;
• Improve recruitment and retention; and • Provide for a campus more representative of our constituents and Central Florida partners.
I invite you to participate in our trainings and events and contribute your unique experience to the success of UCF diversity and inclusion work.
ODI Spotlight Maria Beckman
Title IX
Maria Beckman is the Director of concerning discrimination law issues. the UCF Office of Equal Opportunity Ms. Beckman received her Bachelor and Affirmative Action Programs of Arts degree (summa cum laude) and and UCF’s Title IX Coordinator. Ms. her Juris Doctor degree (with honors) Beckman also is an attorney and has from The Ohio State University. practiced in the civil rights area since On Wednesday, March 25, Ms. 1994. She has served as an attorney Beckman will be the guest speaker in the United States Environmental for this semester’s DiversiTea Protection Agency’s Civil Rights event, Title IX’s Requirements for Law Office and Office of Criminal Addressing Sexual Harassment in Enforcement, Forensics, and Training. University Environments. Title IX Ms. Beckman also has practiced as of the Educational Amendments of a civil rights attorney 1972 is a federal No person in the in New York City, as law that prohibits United States shall, well as having her own sex discrimination on the basis of sex, private law practice in in programs and be excluded from Florida. She previously activities that receive has taught civil rights federal financial participation in, be courses, including assistance-including denied the benefits Constitutional Law and university programs. of, or be subjected Gender, Sexuality and Please join us for a to discrimination the Law and will teach discussion about Title under any educaContemporary Issues IX’s requirements and tion program or in Law: Gender and how you can help. activity receiving Sexuality in the spring Federal financial 2015 semester at UCF. assistance. She is the author of several book chapters
Hank Lewis
Hank Lewis is the Coordinator for the Quality Enhancement Plan & SACSCOC Reaffirmation at the University of Central Florida. He has spent more than 30 years in higher education, working from Adjunct Instructor to President of private proprietary colleges in Georgia and Florida, and as a consultant in licensure and accreditation. He has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops on a wide range of LGBTQ+ issues. He is currently President of the Pride Faculty & Staff Association at UCF, advisor for Equal at the University of Central Florida, is an LGBTQ+ Safe Zone facilitator, and is a Secular Safe Zone ally. He facilitates the LGBTQ+ Spirituality student affinity group through LGBTQ+ Services and spent more than 25 years working for various 2
churches in Georgia and Florida. Hank formerly served as a member of the board of directors of the LGBT Community Center in Orlando, Joy Metropolitan Community Church, Joy
Diversity Activity Grants The Diversity Activity Grants program is designed to help fund activities and/or speakers that will enhance the UCF goal “to become more inclusive and diverse.” Grants of up to $250* may be awarded. This program is limited to UCF registered student organizations and faculty and staff organizations. Please note: We are only accepting applications from organizations who have not received this grant within the past two years. You may download an application on our website, www.diveristy.ucf.edu.
*Your request may not be fully funded. DAG funds cannot be used for food or any other items restricted for purchase with E & G funds.
Charities, Inc., the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, and the rules committee for the Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education. He also served as UCF representative to the Zebra Coalition and the Metropolitan Business Association (LGBT Chamber of Commerce) in Orlando. Mr. Lewis will be presenting The Upstairs Lounge Fire: The Intersectionality of Religion and LGBTQ+ People, on February 26. Please visit your MyUCF Account to register for this or any of our Diversity Workshps.
Spring 2015 Workshop and Training Schedule TO REGISTER: • Faculty and Staff ONLY, register online via your My UCF account at https://my.ucf.edu. • Students or OPS, please e-mail your name, phone number, and PID/employee I.D. number to diverse@ucf.edu. • For the Safe Zone LGBTQ+ 101 workshops, use http://safezone.sdes.ucf.edu/training. For detailed descriptions of the diversity workshops offered, visit www.diversity.ucf.edu. Other opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (407) 823-6479, or by e-mailing diverse@ucf.edu. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted. Please note that LOCATIONS VARY. ABCs OF DIVERSITY (DIV008)
• Wednesday, February 4, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm. 106
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION (DIV071)
• Tuesday, February 24, 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Friday, March 20, 2:30 - 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
BARNGA (DIV077)
MICRO-MESSAGES AND MICROAGGRESSIONS: IMPACTS ON INCLUSION (DIV225)
Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Thursday, January 29, 2:30 - 4:30 PM Location: Human Resources, OD&T Training Room on Progress Drive Facilitator: Patty Farris
DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES
(Attend all four modules to receive completion certificate): MODULES 1 & 2 (DIV210) Tuesday, January 20, 1:00 - 5:00 PM MODUELS 3 & 4 (DIV211) Tuesday, January 27, 1:00 - 5:00 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 MODULE 1 (DIV212) Thursday, February 12, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM MODULE 2 (DIV213) Thursday, March 5, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM MODULE 3 (DIV214) Thursday, March 19, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM MODULE 4 (DIV215) Thursday, March 26, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM Location for individual module presentations: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm 315 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
EXAMINING THE REAL DISABILITY BARRIERS (DIV223)
• Wednesday, January 28, 1:00 - 3:30 PM Location: SU Garden Key Room 221
• Monday, February 16, 1:00 - 3:30 PM •
Location: SU Cape Florida Ballroom 316AB Tuesday, March 31, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Location: SU Key West Ballroom 218CD Facilitators: Student Disability Services Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Location: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Rm 255 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
PEACE FILM SERIES - 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIV226)
• Friday, February 6, 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169
• Wednesday, February 25, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
PEACE FILM SERIES - 42 (DIV143)
Monday, March 23, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Location: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson Note: This event is part of the UCF Valencia Osceola “Spring Fling Day.”
PEACE FILM SERIES - MISS REPRESENTATION (DIV151) Wednesday, March 18, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Location: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
PEACE FILM SERIES - THE NORMAL HEART (DIV152)
• Thursday, January 29, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Location: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Rm 255
• Monday, March 16, 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
PEACE FILM SERIES - THE PURITY MYTH (DIV120) Monday, April 20, 3:00 - 5:00 PM Location: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm 107 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
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Ph: (407) 823-6479
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169, Orlando, FL 32826 F: 407-823-6480 E: diverse@ucf.edu W: www.diversity.ucf.edu Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @UCFODI
Diversity Includes All of Us - All the Time
Spring 2015 Workshop and Training Schedule - Continued PEACE FILM SERIES - TOUGH GUISE 2 (DIV227) Thursday, February 5, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Location: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
• Wednesday, January 14, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Location: Health Center, Rm 206
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR UCF’S CULTURAL COMPETENCIES (DIV150) ONLINE Visit: www.diversity.ucf.edu/online_workshops.asp,and follow the instructions. You must complete all three sections with a score of 75% or higher to receive credit.
REFLECTIONS OF WOMEN IN THE MEDIA (DIV229)
Wednesday, March 4, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitators: Alexandria Ellsworth & Dayanara Hudson
THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW (Attend all four to receive completion certificate) PROGRAMS 1 & 2 (DIV201) Monday, February 23, 12:00 - 4:00 PM PROGRAMS 3 & 4 (DIV202) Monday, March 2, 12:00 - 4:00 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
SAFE ZONE LGBTQ+ 101 (DIV033) FORMERLY ALLIES ADVANCE
• Thursday, February 12, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Libra Community Center Classroom
• Thursday, March 19, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Health Center, Rm 206 Location subject to change. Please visit http://safezone. sdes.ucf.edu/training to register and confirm location. Facilitators: TBA
SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS MINORITY AWARENESS (DIV224)
• Wednesday, February 25, 2:30 - 4:30 PM • Friday, April 24, 2:30 - 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Tee Rogers
THE UPSTAIRS LOUNGE FIRE: THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF RELIGION AND LGBTQ+ PEOPLE (DIV230) Thursday, February 26 3:00 - 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Hank Lewis
Leadership Enhancment Program Update For those wishing to apply to the LEP Program, applications will be available at the end of January. It may be downloaded from our website or from the UCF announcements page. For additional information, please contact Carmen Afonso at (407) 823-3643 or carmen.afonso@ucf.edu.
2014-2015 LEP Participants with Dr. Hitt during their orientation session.
Services
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is available for individual, group, or classroom meetings in the form of Consultations, Presentations, and Training. For more information visit www. diversity.ucf.edu/consult.asp. 4
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Diversity and Inclusion Staff Karen Morrison, J.D. Chief Diversity Officer
Barbara Thompson Assistant Director
Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant, Diversity Breakfast Coordinator
Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary LEP Coordinator
Dayanara Hudson Program Assistant
Stefanie Campbell LEGACY Coordinator
Judith Geneus Office Assistant
Morgan Forestier Student Assistant