Volume 1, Issue 4 November/December 2021
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN
Page 2
DEI@OCU
Indigenous Peoples Day shifts to newly-opened Oklahoma museum
Every second Monday in October, OCU collectively observes Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of the various Native and Indigenous tribes of Oklahoma. This year, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion partnered with the recently-opened First Americans Museum Oklahoma to bring OCU students, faculty, and staff right to the action of FAM's incredible day-long celebration by providing a shuttle to and from the museum festivities which included Native dancers, food vendors, demonstrations, a mayoral proclamation, and even a screening and discussion with Native filmmakers - truly something for everyone! The DEI office was an official sponsor of the IPD celebrations and looks forward to building a relationship with the important new museum.
School of Theatre works toward DEI goal
The OCU School of Theatre is now deep in their years-long work of creating and maintaining spaces for its student artists, staff, and faculty to engage in all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Throughout this and previous semesters, several members from various local and national arts and entertainment organizations have met with students and faculty alike to begin dialogues regarding a wide range of DEI concepts in works such as Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and The Laramie Project and their connections to the current global environment as well as featuring a "Women in Theatre" panel discussion about women in leadership positions in the arts here in Oklahoma. VP Carroll has also facilitated workshops and presentations for incoming and enrolled student artists and faculty members regarding the different types of conscious and especially unconscious bias in practices, protocols, policies, and even course descriptions at the SOT. This important work is on-going. Be sure to watch @theatreOCU on Instagram and Facebook for updates on how their DEI journey is progressing!
Community Resource Pantry opens Oklahoma City University's Resource Pantry of Hope is now open and ready to serve the campus community. The pantry is located on the fourth floor of the Clara E. Jones Administration building (directly east of the Gold Star Memorial building) and is open every other week on Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 pm. The pantry is full of food items and also gently used (or sometimes never worn!) clothing. If you'd like to schedule a different time or have a specific need or you would like to learn how to donate items to the Pantry, email Janelle Warlick at jwarlick@okcu.edu.
