Unity Star Summer 2011

Distribution: All Without OPS and F

U NITY S TAR N EWSLETTER

S UMMER 2011

Opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity Initiatives at 407-823-6479 or e-mailing diverse@ucf.edu. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted.

TO REGISTER: Online Registration for Faculty and Staff ONLY at https://my.ucf.edu. Students or OPS please send your name, phone number, PID/employee I.D. number, and e-mail to yara@ucf.edu.

ABC S OF D IVERSITY (DIV008) Dates and Times (attend one): Thursday, June 2, 2011- 1:30-4:30 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2011- 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Human diversity impacts each of us on a daily basis. Gaining an understanding of differences and similarities is essential for effective functioning in today’s work environment. This workshop focuses on how stereotypes and biases can get in the way when creating a diverse and inclusive space for all employees. Participants develop ABC action plans for enhancing awareness and appreciation for diversity.

I NCLUSIVE C OMMUNICATION (DIV053) Dates and Times (attend one):

This workshop identifies some common mistakes made when communicating about age, class, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, language, looks, race, religion, and sexual Tuesday, June 7, 2011- 1:30-4:30 PM orientation. It also highlights words, phrases, and behaviors that can enhance the Wednesday, June 22, 2011– 1:30-4:30 PM process of communicating about and across various dimensions of influence.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011- 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Note: Workshop tuition is $10 per participant. This fee may be paid by cash, check (payable to the University of Central Florida), or ID Transfer. To pay by ID Transfer, please go to www.diversity.ucf.edu, click on “Training,” and select, complete, and fax the appropriate form. The fee for SDES participants has been prepaid.

I NTERRUPTING B IGOTRY (DIV004) Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 Time: 3:00-5:00 PM Location: SU 316 Facilitator: Michael Freeman

We all have had the experience of not knowing what to do when someone makes a joke or comment that is offensive. Do we confront them? Ignore them? What should we do? How do we challenge ourselves on our own hidden prejudices? This workshop offers suggestions about what to do in such circumstances. It also includes role-playing of some common, everyday situations.

U NDERSTANDING P OWER & P RIVILEGE (DIV016) Dates and Times (attend one): Tuesday, June 14, 2011- 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon Tuesday, June 21, 2011- 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon Location: CSEL 121 Facilitator: Michael Freeman

This session looks at the concepts of power and privilege in detail and describes actions that can be adopted to mitigate the effects of social injustice.

U NITY S TAR

P AGE 2

D IVERSITY C ERTIFICATE S ERIES (DIV000) Dates and times (please note varying session lengths): Section 1 (attend all four; each session 2:30-4:30 PM) Thursday, June 9, 2011– Module 1 Thursday, June 16, 2011– Module 2 Thursday, June 23, 2011– Module 3 Thursday, June 30, 2011– Module 4 Section 2 (attend both; each session 1:00-5:00 PM) Friday, July 8, 2011– Modules 1 & 2 Friday, July 15, 2011– Modules 3 & 4

The world looks different today than it has in the past, and as a consequence, new ways of interacting and communicating with others are required. This four-part program focuses on the legal, ethical, and practical issues organizations face in this dynamic new environment while demonstrating how we can use human diversity to maximize competence and performance.

Module 1: On the Threshold of Change Module 2: Gender & Sexual Orientation Workplace Issues Module 3: Race, Ethnicity, Language & Religion Workplace Issues Module 4: Age & Physical Ability Workplace Issues

Section 3 (attend both; each session 1:00-5:00 PM) Friday, July 22, 2011– Modules 1 & 2 Friday, July 29, 2011– Modules 3 & 4 Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

DOTS: U NDERSTANDING YOUR “H IDDEN ” B IASES (DIV031) Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Time: 2:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

In order to appreciate, respect, and value others, it is important to recognize that our life experiences and the individuals in our lives have influenced our thoughts and feelings regarding the people present in our worlds. In this workshop, participants are guided through an activity that allows them to discover biases that may exist “in their heads.” Further, the session facilitates understanding of how these views impact the ways in which we relate to one another.

F AMILIES C REATED O UT OF C RISIS (DIV054) Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011 Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon Location: HC 206 Facilitator: Cathy Robinson Pickett

UCF is pleased to welcome Cathy Robinson Pickett as she presents this interactive, educational, and emotional experience. The class will focus on working with individuals from non-traditional families and will examine how they function in our “modern world.” She will touch on HIV, domestic violence, and core values. She will share her own personal story as a rape survivor and victim of domestic violence, as well as her experience of living with HIV for nearly 30 years.

M IND Y OUR M OUTH AND F IX Y OUR F ACE (DIV043) Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011 Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon Location: HC 206 Facilitator: Michael Freeman

Sometimes we not only say things that get us in trouble, but our non-verbal expressions, especially those carried all over our faces, leave little doubt as to what we are thinking.

This humorous workshop examines both verbal and non-verbal communication we observe and use when we are “communicating for understanding.” The workshop will help participants to recognize some of their own needs around “minding and fixing” in developing a plan to help manage how they communicate.

U NITY S TAR

P AGE 3

B ARNGA (DIV077) Date: Friday, June 24, 2011

Barnga is a simulation activity that allows participants to explore and experience the challenges and communication barriers of life in a cross-cultural setting. Participants will recognize the subtlety of cultural differences, understand how cultural differences can create communication barriers, and discover and discuss ways to overcome communication barriers

Time: 2:30-4:30 PM Location: OD&T Training Room Facilitator: Patty Farris

A LLIES A DVANCE (DIV033) Dates, Locations, and Times (attend one):

Learn about issues affecting GLBT people, homophobia, and heterosexism, and the benefits and responsibilities of being an Ally.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011– 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon, SU 221 Friday, July 8, 2011– 2:00-5:00 PM, SU 224 Facilitator: Michael Freeman or Dr. Karen Hofmann

A F RAMEWORK FOR U NDERSTANDING P OVERTY (DIV058) Socioeconomic status or class is an often overlooked, but critically important, dimension of diversity. Since 1995, Dr. Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty has helped educators and other professionals understand individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds - poverty, middle class, and wealth. This workshop provides an overview of Dr. Payne’s work including the “hidden rules” among classes, the characteristics of generational poverty, and the significant role of available resources.

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Time: 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Note: Workshop tuition is $12 per participant. This fee may be paid by cash, check (payable to the University of Central Florida), or ID Transfer. To pay by ID Transfer, please go to www.diversity.ucf.edu, click on “Training,” and select, complete, and fax the appropriate form. The fee for SDES participants has been prepaid.

C OMMUNICATING A CROSS C ULTURES (DIV044) Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The ability to prevent misunderstandings through effective cross-cultural communication is an important skill in today’s world. This session introduces the three basic Time: 1:30-4:30 PM components of any communication. Further, it dramatically illustrates 12 common Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 causes of verbal miscommunication across cultures including conventions for courtesy, degree of assertiveness, accents, and hot buttons. Finally, the crucial role of body Facilitator: Barbara Thompson language in communication is discussed.

C REATING T EACHABLE M OMENTS : A W ORKSHOP Date: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Time: 2:00-5:00 PM Location: SU 221 Facilitator: Michael Freeman

FOR

W ORKSHOPPING ! (DIV076)

Many everyday experiences of microaggressions, bigotry, and discrimination go unchallenged. There are many reasons for not interrupting them. Beyond reasons of safety, our inaction is often fear or lack of “tools to address” the issue. This workshop will examine the reasons for our “lack of action” as well as provide participants with tools in creating their own “teachable moments.” This is a highly interactive experience with selfassessment, problem-solving, and role playing.

Diversity Philosophy

Office of Diversity Initiatives 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169 Orlando, FL 32826 Phone: 407-823-6479 Fax: 407-823-6480 E-mail: diverse@ucf.edu

C HECK

US OUT ONLINE!

HTTP: / / WWW. DIVERSITY. UCF. EDU

We live in a global community that is becoming increasingly intertwined and interdependent. Demographic, technological, cultural, and economic changes no longer afford us the luxury of living in isolated enclaves. These dramatic shifts and trends require that our educational systems equip us to live and work with a wide variety of peoples. To survive and thrive in a modern organization like UCF means to understand that each of us is mutually connected to the other. An increasingly diverse society expects that higher education will meet the varied learning needs of its citizens by providing effective diversity instruction and experiences. To this end, the Unity Star distributed by this office represents opportunities available to UCF’s students, staff, and faculty to build understanding, appreciation, and respect for human diversity.

Completion certificates are available as follows: Diversity Certificate Series – for completing all four modules; Continuum of Learning Certificate – for completing any four workshops other than those listed above.

S ERVICES Consultations: Consultations include individual or group meetings to assist in planning diversity-related programs, events, and activities. Consultations may occur face-to-face, by e-mail, or by telephone.

Presentations: We make presentations to classes, departments, organizations, student groups, and external organizations. Our presentations cover a variety of topics to meet specific needs.

Training: Selected topics in English and Spanish

Office of Diversity Initiatives Staff Valarie Greene King, Ph.D., Director Carmen Afonso, Executive Secretary Yara Asi, Program Assistant Michael Freeman, Assistant Director

Lynnsey Hicks, Graduate Assistant Katie Pomp, Administrative Assistant Barbara Thompson, Assistant Director Temika Vaughns, Student Assistant