Unity Star
Distribution: All Without OPS and F
Spring 2012
Newsletter
Welcome to our new Look!
Welcome to the 2012 Spring Edition of the Unity Star! We’ve initiated the new year, and the 20th anniversary year of Diversity Week, with a little color and more insight into our programs, workshops and events. With a vibrant outlook on things to come, we hope you’ll join us in the diverse programing and evolution of the Office of Diversity Initiatives at UCF.
1992
Celebrating 20 Years Diversity Week
started on a Wednesday. This leap year with its 366 days had many memorable events, such as: White South Africans voting in favor of reforms to end apartheid; the opening of Disneyland Paris; an outbreak of massive riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers for the brutal beating of Rodney King; Hurricane Andrew decimating portions of south Florida when it hit at Category 5 strength; and the election of Bill Clinton as the 42nd President of the United States. 1992 was also a memorable year for UCF. Dr. John C. Hitt became the University of Central Florida’s 4th President ushering in the university’s
New Workshops!
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Monday, February 6, 2012 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Empowered InclusionTM Monday, February 13, 2012 Tuesday, April 17, 2012 For a full course description, please visit www.diversity.ucf.edu.
five strategic goals that have remained a guiding force for the past 20 years. The 4th goal, to become more inclusive and diverse, led President Hitt to establish a Diversity Task Force to study the UCF environment and make recommendations about ways to address diversity and inclusion at UCF. During this informationgathering phase, the Task Force, under the leadership of Dr. Valarie Greene King, initiated Diversity Week as a means of focusing attention on the existence of the task force, as well as to highlight the important role of diversity and inclusion in higher education. This first Diversity Week was a meager reflection of how we celebrate Diversity Week today. There was no Diversity Breakfast to kick off the
Director’s Corner Happy New Year!! The Office of Diversity Initiatives works diligently to make diversity and inclusion visible and active elements that permeate the life and values of the UCF community. Our vision is to position UCF as a center of excellence that is widely recognized as a higher education model in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and leadership. Our commitment is reified by programs, processes, and a wide array of training opportunities that promote social justice, enhance cultural competencies, and develop capacious leaders. As we begin 2012, I am pleased to communicate our ongoing commitment and dedication to the UCF goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse via a new look for our newsletter. The energy that has propelled this new look into existence was provided by Dayanara Hudson, Program Assistant, and recent addition to our staff. I encourage you to review our newsletter for information, activities, and of course, for details on the various training opportunities we offer. I also encourage you to welcome Dayanara to UCF.
continued on page 4 UCF: A Veteran Friendly Campus