U NITY S TAR N EWSLETTER
D IVERSITY A REAS It is with a great deal of pleasure that I present the first in a series of Unity Star newesletters that include diversity articles and information in addition to the traditional schedule of diversity training sessions. One of the most noteworthy announcements this spring is the introduction of the Framework for Diversity which includes the five areas of focus that are designed to enhance the UCF goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse. These five areas are: Organizational Structures, Recruitment and Retention, Campus Climate, Education and Scholarship, and Outreach and Engagement. By using this schema, we are able to plan and implement comprehensive projects, procedures, and initiatives that encompass a wide range of
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activities that are fundamental to addressing issues of diversity and inclusion. Since our vision is to position UCF as a center of excellence that is nationally recognized as a higher education model for its practices, policies, and attitudes in the area of domestic diversity, the diversity framework serves as the foundation upon which we can achieve success via activities and partnerships with other UCF organizations and units. The university-wide implementation of strategies that support the diversity framework is the ultimate measure of success. In order to achieve this, we are dependent upon each college, division, and unit to individually address diversity and inclusion, ideally as elements of their strategic planning process. The role of
V ETERANS H ISTORY P ROJECT The University of Central Florida will be participating in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The announcement was made by Jessica Souva, a program manager from the Library of Congress, at the annual Diversity Breakfast. She shared that the VHP is looking at new ways to partner with universities, par-
ticularly in Florida where they are laying groundwork for a pilot program - the first of its kind in the nation - aimed at gathering the oral histories of Florida’s veterans. I will be working with Dr. Martin Dupuis, Assistant Dean of the Burnett Honors College, Dr. Rosalind Beiler, Chair of the History Depart-
the Office of Diversity Initiatives then is to consult with and support units as a means of facilitating efforts for diversity and inclusion to be realized in each of the five identified areas. This process will result in cataloging the university's diversity achievements into a comprehensive report that can be shared both internally and externally. A workshop has been designed to assist members of the UCF community to develop and implement diversity activities. This workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Valarie King and Dr. Patrice Lancey on February 4 and will feature the development of planning, implementation, and evaluation strategies for each of the five Diversity Framework areas of focus.
Opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity Initiatives at 407-823-6479 or e-mailing diverse@mail.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 cafonso@mail.ucf.edu.
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D IVERSITY BY D R . V ALARIE G. K ING ment, James Middlekauff, Assistant University Registrar of Veteran Services, and faculty and staff members to implement the project in a comprehensive manner, throughout UCF. Veterans’ narratives, historic data, press resources, and information on the Veterans History Project can be found at www.loc.gov/
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D IVERSITY A WARENESS AND A PPRECIATION DOTS: U NDERSTANDING
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Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
“H IDDEN ” B IASES (DIV031)
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.
Time: 2:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
D IVERSITY C ERTIFICATE S ERIES (DIV000) The world looks different today than it has in the past, and as a consequence, Friday, February 5, 2010– On the Threshold of Change new ways of interacting and communiFriday, February 12, 2010– Gender & Sexual Orientation Workplace Issues cating with others are required. This Friday, February 19, 2010– Race, Ethnicity, Language, & Religion Workplace Issues four-part program focuses on the legal, Friday, February 26, 2010– Age & Physical Ability Workplace Issues ethical, and practical issues organizaTime: 2:30-4:30 PM tions face in this dynamic new environment while demonstrating how we can Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 use human diversity to maximize comFacilitator: Barbara Thompson petence and performance. Dates (attend all four):
T HE M ICROMESSAGES
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C OMMUNICATION (DIV060)
Dates, Locations, and Times (attend one): Thursday, February 11, 2010– SU 224 (Egmont Key), 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Monday, February 15, 2010– Rosen Campus, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon Wednesday, March 31, 2010– Research Pavilion, Suite 169, 2:30-5:00 PM Facilitator: Michael Freeman
Micromessages are the small ways in which we communicate beyond the words we speak. Often framed in terms of microaffirmations, microinequities, and microgestures, each carries a message of inclusion, exclusion, or value. This workshop will focus on how micromessages occur and their effect on individual relationships, team performance, and student success. Strategies also will be discussed in addressing their impact.
I NCLUSIVE C OMMUNICATION (DIV053) Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Time: 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
This workshop identifies some common mistakes made when communicating about age, class, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, language, looks, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It also highlights words, phrases, and behaviors that can enhance the process of communicating about and across various dimensions of influence.
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S OCIAL J USTICE AND P REJUDICE R EDUCTION A LLIES A DVANCE (DIV033) Dates, Locations, and Times (attend one): Thursday, February 4, 2010– SU 224 (Egmont Key), 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Tuesday, February 16, 2010– UCF Counseling Center, 4:00-6:30 PM Monday, March 1, 2010– SU 224 (Egmont Key), 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Tuesday, March 23, 2010– UCF Counseling Center, 4:00-6:30 PM
Learn about issues affecting GLBT people, homophobia, and heterosexism, and the benefits and responsibilities of being an Ally.
Facilitator: Michael Freeman or Dr. Karen Hofmann
I NTERRUPTING B IGOTRY (DIV004) Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010 Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Location: SU 218B (Key West) 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.
P OWER , P RIVILEGE , AND I NTERNALIZED O PPRESSION : W HAT K EEPS U S F ROM THE D IALOGUE ? (DIV042) Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010 Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Location: SU 224 (Egmont Key) Facilitator: Michael Freeman
This workshop is a combination of two previous workshops, “Understanding Power and Privilege” and “Understanding Internalized Oppression.” We will explore these concepts in a framework of dismantling both pillars of oppression through meaningful and thoughtful dialogue in creating communities of justice and inclusion.
LEGACY A PPRENTICE P ROJECT
BY L YNNSEY H ICKS
Identity, Leadership, Scholarship, Career Development: these are the four pillars that the LEGACY Leadership and Mentoring Program stands on. A new task that ties all four pillars together is the LEGACY Apprentice Project. The purpose of the Apprentice Project is to involve real people in real situations by providing an opportunity for all Student Scholars to establish a sense of responsibility, citizenship, and social conscience. Students joined together in small teams to develop a community service project. The process involved reaching out to the community, designing a plan, and raising money to support projected goals. A panel of judges reviewed each group’s idea, and the winning team will execute their idea in the Spring. We are very proud of all of our LEGACY students and look forward to future partnerships with the community.
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M ULTICULTURALISM C OMMUNICATING A CROSS C ULTURES (DIV044) Date: Friday, March 26, 2010 Time: 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
The ability to prevent misunderstandings through effective cross-cultural communication is an important skill in today’s world. This session introduces the three basic components of any communication. Further, it dramatically illustrates 12 common causes of verbal miscommunication across cultures including conventions for courtesy, degree of assertiveness, accents, and hot buttons. Finally, the crucial role of body language in communication is discussed. NOTE: This session combines material from Open Heart Dialogue and More Than Mere Words. If these sessions have been attended, this workshop will be redundant.
M ULTICULTURAL C ONFLICT R ESOLUTION (DIV030) Conflict is an inevitable part of life. Although many of us are uncomfortable in conflict situations, it can be a constructive process in which the very differences that give rise to the conflict also provide us with the unique perspectives and enhanced creativity that are needed in our complex world. This session explores general ways in which conflict is viewed in various cultures and specific ways in which we as individuals respond to conflict. It also emphasizes conflict resolution skills that are useful in relating to others who are different from us.
Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Time: 1:30-4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
D IVERSITY L EADERSHIP B ULLYING
IN THE
Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon Location: SU 224 (Egmont Key) Facilitator: Michael Freeman
W ORKPLACE (DIV019) Do you ever wonder what happens to the bullies who seem to be a part of everyone’s childhood experiences? Do they just stop bullying, or do they grow up and become people we work with and sometimes for? In this facilitated session, we look at bullying as a diversity issue, gain understanding of its costs, and discover how individuals and organizations can begin to address it.
H IGH H EART W ORK & S ELF C ARE (DIV046) Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Time: 2:30-5:00 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Michael Freeman
Human service work demands a lot from those who address and meet critical needs. Often, as we are caring for others, we forget the most important person, ourselves. This team building session examines how to create, maintain, and evaluate self-care plans for individuals and teams. It also looks at the process of what it takes to effectively provide the kind of support team members need in remaining “whole” in “high-heart” work.
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21 ST C ENTURY (DIV059)
This three session leadership series looks at three distinct aspects of leadership in modern organizations. All sessions will be held in the Research Pavilion, Suite 169.
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Facilitators
Date/Time
Description
Diversity and Strategic Planning: Framework for Diversity
Dr. Valarie G. King Thursday, February 4, 2010 Dr. Patrice Lancey 2:30-4:30 PM
This session presents the components of the Diversity Framework and explains how organizations and units can develop strategies to facilitate processes, programs, and other activities to become more inclusive and diverse. This session provides a template for incorporating diversity into strategic plans as well as suggests and demonstrates how to include diversity assessment measures and outcomes.
Challenges of Diversity in Higher Education
Dr. Stacey Pearson Mr. Melvin Rogers
This session explores the specific issues and diversity challenges faced by women and members of ethnic minority groups in the higher education arena with the intent of fostering better relations between and among diverse employees. This session is relevant to all who are interested in understanding both overt and subtle organizational behaviors that impact women and people of color. It is particularly appropriate for individuals who are serving in supervisory and leadership positions.
Leadership Enhancement Program PREP Class
Ms. Carmen Afonso Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Ms. Darlene Bouley 2:30-4:30 PM
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:30-4:30 PM
Every year people apply, interview, and are rejected by the Leadership Enhancement Program. These are people who really want to be in the program and would benefit from it, however, they are not accepted. Why? The purpose of this workshop is to assist individuals who are interested in attaining the leadership qualities and skills they will need to become the next leaders - this is what the Leadership Enhancement Program is all about.
Diversity Philosophy
Office of Diversity Initiatives 12424 Research Parkway Orlando, FL 32826 Phone: 407-823-6479 Fax: 407-823-6480 E-mail: diverse@mail.ucf.edu
CHECK 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; Leadership for the 21st Century Certificate – for completing all three sessions; Continuum of Learning Certificate – for completing any four workshops other than those listed above.
S ERVICES Consultations: An individual or group meeting 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 Michael Freeman, Training Coordinator Barbara Thompson, Training Coordinator Katie Pomp, Administrative Assistant Carmen Afonso, Executive Secretary
Yara Asi, Program Assistant Lynnsey Hicks, Graduate Assistant Temika Vaughns, Student Assistant Nicholas Phelps, Student Assistant