April/May 2022
LUMINOSITY SHINING A LIGHT ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY
I N
T H I S
students requesting accommodations
WHY PRONOUNS MATTER Greenwood Rising: Exploring the Impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma & Beyond
The Resource Pantry of Hope
I S S U E :
Page 1
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT Dear Stars, It’s SPRING! Spring, for me, signifies life, growth, sunshine, and high energy! As we near the end of the semester, it is my sincerest hope you are finding spaces to focus on your wellness and in doing so, engaging in meaningful self-reflection. Since you’re here, let’s do it together! Set aside 15 minutes to journal and answer these questions: How have you honored yourself in your personal and professional life spheres? What are you most proud of? What feedback did you receive that was helpful? Who, in your life, is your biggest supporter and have you told them how much you appreciate them? Who do you want to reconnect with in the next week or two? What is one thing you can do to more intently focus on your wellness? You are worthy of time to engage in reflection...especially given all you’re managing in your life. Take good care of you!
Talia Carroll, Ph.D. (she/her) Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
VALUES ACCESS DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSIVITY RESPECT LEARNING COMMUNITY JUSTICE
MISSION To work collaboratively with campus partners, alumni, and friends of Oklahoma City University to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice through policy, education, and strategic initiatives that advance our university’s mission.
STATEMENT
Page 2
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN
DEI@OCU
Powwow partnership scheduled for April 16 at OCU Oklahoma American
City
University,
Society,
the
the
University
OCU
Native
of
Central
Oklahoma, and UCO Native American Student Association are joining together to present a Spring Powwow on Saturday, April 16 at OCU's Freede Wellness Center beginning at 2pm. This family-friendly powwow will include intertribal vendors, multiple contests like the Tiny Tots Contest (in memory of Bradley Wahnee) and the Potato Dance Contest, a Gourd Dance, dinner at 5pm and the Grand Entry beginning at 7pm. Admission is free but donations are accepted! For more information, contact Juliana Wahnee at jswahnee@my.okcu.edu.
This is the first time ever that OCU and UCO have partnered to hold this intertribal powwow!
Blue Table Talk returning for another season The next season of Blue Table Talk is coming soon! The Initiative is a collaboration
between
the
Office
of
Alumni
Engagement,
OCU
Communications, some distinguished OCU alumni, current students, and Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Dr. Talia Carroll. In past episodes, topics such advocacy, race and the Arts, and even small business management have been discussed. The first episode of series two will be a conversation on Diversity in Law with Dallas-based lawyer Robin Ladd and current OCU Law student, Yovana Lopez Medina. Next will be an episode centered around Representation in Marketing with Past episodes of Blue Table Talk can be viewed via Facebook or on ODEI's linktree!
OCU alum Dr. W.
Christopher Hudson and current student BreAuna Shaw. The series is intentionally designed to amplify voices not commonly represented and provides for intergenerational, unstructured conversations, and meaningful connections. We hope you enjoy!
DEI professional development day for OCU employees The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion will be hosting the inaugural professional development day for OCU staff and faculty on Wednesday, May 11th. This will be a conference-style day structured with virtual and in-person opportunities to engage with colleagues around a range of topics. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Heather Shotton. Breakfast and lunch will be provided! Registration details will be sent to the OCU community via email. As always, if you have specific accommodations or have questions, please reach out to dei@okcu.edu.
Dr. Heather Shotton, Ph.D.
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 3
GREENWOOD RISING: Exploring the Impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma and Beyond
A Black History Month collaboration between the Black Student Association and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion led to a group of students and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion visiting Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 26th. Greenwood Rising, which opened in 2021, is a new space that comprehensively addresses the tragic, unfortunate, and life-altering events that led to the death and destruction of a thriving Black town. The innovative space is full of interactive opportunities to learn about the people, as well as the place. “To see artifacts, hear voices, and read history was immediately life changing. Walking through and sitting in the space allowed for some necessary reflection. I found myself experiencing deep emotion thinking about the ripple effect of all that was lost and all who lost their lives. We have to be willing to supplement our education and stay vigilant,” says Dr. Talia Carroll, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
On the corner of N Greenwood Avenue and E Archer Street, Greenwood Rising is situated along the same thoroughfare that used to be the beating heart of "Black Wall Street" until Memorial Day Weekend 1921 when terrorists destroyed more than 1,400 homes and businesses in the Greenwood District in the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on American soil.
Page 4
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
GREENWOOD CONT'D Student Reactions to Visiting the Museum
TRAKEL PINKSTON The time I spent at the Greenwood Rising museum with the Black Students Association and the Office of DEI was both an educational and humbling experience. I learned so much about a subject that is often overlooked by many and it nearly brought me to tears. After leaving the museum, some friends and I visited a local coffee shop, where we met an older man who spent his entire life in Tulsa. He encouraged us to continue the conversation outside of the four walls of that building and continue to learn about what is being neglected in our history books.
BREAUNA SHAW I loved the information given from the tour guide and the interactive learning aspect of our trip. One of my favorite experiences was seeing visitors sit in the seats of the portrayed Barber Shop during the presentation. This truly made it feel as if we were back in time, listening in on the conversations that would have been held in communal spaces like this. This trip was very emotional, so I applaud Greenwood Rising for ending the tour with prompted questions of our own commitment to this history and posting the written thoughts from visitors on a wall in real-time for all to see.
If you have not yet visited the museum, do not miss out on a rich learning opportunity. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion may be sponsoring a trip in the fall. Stay tuned for more information!
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 5
WHY PRONOUNS MATTER R
eferring to someone by their chosen name
I did learn, however, how critically important it
and pronouns is an act of respect and
was and would continue to be for me to honor
inclusivity. Transgender and nonbinary people
everyone’s life experiences and particularly
report experiencing distress when they are
their pronouns.
misgendered and/or "dead-named". Often, transgender and nonbinary folx experience
Pronouns are what we use to reference
even higher levels of distress when their
people’s
identities are not honored as they pursue their
expression. This means, then, that many
education and live their lives on-campus.
people may use multiple gender pronouns and
gender
identity
and
sometimes
that the use of those pronouns may change over time or even be situational. For example, I have a colleague who uses she/they pronouns and sometimes feels more aligned I remember the first time I misgendered
with one over the other. What that means,
someone
the
then, is that I make a genuine, unrelenting
embarrassment and shame associated with
commitment to use the pronouns I hear them
my mistake was deep. At that particular point
using whenever we connect.
I
cared
about
and
in my life, I didn’t have the awareness or knowledge about the harm that could be
Unfortunately, there have been times I’ve
caused when I unintentionally spoke the
heard people say, “it’s too hard,” or “I can’t
wrong personal pronouns. And, even though
keep up with all of the options,” which I am
it was unintentional, it did not erase the
sure
impact. Additionally, it was important I not
disrespectful. In the same ways we want to be
take up space feeling the embarrassment and
referenced in ways that align with who we are,
shame, but instead that I apologize, correct
it is critical we do the same for those we
myself, and commit to doing better in the
communicate
future. It is with that practice I continue to do
worked closely with folks who say, “I’m excited
better.
to practice and learn how to respect the
is
unintentionally
with.
dismissive
Alternatively,
I
and
have
humanity of others," which Is where we all want to be.
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 6
What will you do to honor the life experiences of our community members and those in your life? Take 10 minutes Follow new pages in your day to on social media read and learn where topics of more about gender and gender pronouns! expression are shared.
Initiate conversation among your friends and colleagues about pronouns!
non-binary
binary
TYPES OF PRONOUNS subject
object
possessive
She
her
hers
He
him
his
they
them
theirs
thay, them, therz
ze
zir
zirs
zhee, zher, zherz
xe
xem
xyrs
zhee, zhem, zherez
GENDER
Pronunciation Shee. her, herz Hee, him, hiz
PRONOUNS
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 7
students requesting
ACCOMMODATIONS
a how-to from Kara Morrow, Assistant Director of Disability & Access Services
If you had accommodations in high school, you might find seeking accommodations at the university level a bit different. In K-12, you may have received testing and then accommodations outlined by an Individualized Educational Plan [IEP] or 504 Plan, which were the responsibility of the school to provide. Also, in K-12, your parents were likely very involved in the process. At the university level, it is the student’s responsibility to request academic accommodations, provide documentation, and select their approved accommodations for each class, every semester. And, unless a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA] document has been signed by the student, our office is not allowed to discuss any information with your parents. To initiate the accommodations process, all applicants must complete an application and upload documentation from their healthcare provider that supports the request. You will be asked to identify the primary diagnosis, describe the impact that your disability has on the educational, living, or other college-related settings and describe how you are substantially limited due to the disability. In addition, you will be asked to list the accommodations you are seeking. Once the application is completed and documentation reviewed, you will be notified of next steps in the interactive process.
academic accommodations Academic accommodations must be renewed each semester. For academic accommodations you must complete the process of selecting your approved accommodations for each class, each semester you are enrolled as a student on our campus. This is done through the student’s DAS Accessible Information Management [AIM] account and only takes a few minutes. Once you are approved for accommodations, you will receive an email with instructions for how to send out accommodation letters and sign up for exams. Unfortunately, if you do not complete the process each semester, the faculty members are not notified of the accommodations for which you are approved. Reminder emails are sent to encourage students to follow the process, to ensure there are no gaps in the provision of accommodations.
Page 8
Volume 2, Issue 1 February/March 2022
housing accommodations For housing accommodations, the process is similar to requesting academic accommodations. The main difference is that once you are approved for housing accommodations, those are set for the year, rather than from semester to semester.
One of the housing accommodations requests we receive frequently are for students who are diagnosed with a mental health condition to be approved for an Emotional Support Animal [ESA] in their university residence. An important thing for students to know is that if you see an animal on our campus, it should only be there because it was approved as an accommodation through the DAS office prior to the student bringing the animal to campus. It is also important to know that approval is not retroactive and those who bring their animal to campus without the required prior approval could be subject to receiving conduct sanctions. The documentation for seeking approval for an ESA is similar to that of any other accommodation. Unfortunately, from time to time, we receive letters purchased from online entities that “certify” ESA’s. There is no legal entity that is allowed to certify an ESA For a student to establish that an ESA is needed there are no requirements to provide any type of certification for your animal. What is needed is information from a reliable professional who is familiar with you, your disability, how the disability substantially limits one or more major life functions, the functional limitations and how the ESA would alleviate those limitations. .
One last thing I would like to mention is that sometimes students who have had accommodations in K-12 are reluctant to request accommodations when they get to campus, for a variety of reasons. Also, some students may not be aware of a disability until after their arrival on our campus. It is always best to request accommodations as soon as possible, but if you have waited or just recently become aware of a disability and the need for accommodations, it’s okay Though we do not provide retroactive accommodations, we will start the process whenever you complete an application. So, if you have not made an application for accommodations and find that you do need them, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office or complete an application no matter where you are in the semester or how far along you are in your program. We are here to help you whenever you determine there is a need.
questions?
Contact Disability & Access Services by emailing das@okcu.edu or call us at 405-208-5895
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 9
RECOMMENDATIONS When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight increasingly bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Starring Michelle Yeoh (in multiple roles), Harry Shum Jr, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the directing duo known as Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinart) have made a movie that navigates multiple universes throughout time and space with a kinetic energy that makes seeing this one an interactive experience. On the surface, it feels like a science fiction film with super-heromovie tropes, but at its heart is a very human story that everyone can relate to. It is unique in its scope, inventive in its execution, and Yeoh gives a career-best performance here.
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once OPENS IN LIMITED RELEASE APRIL 8
Combining cutting-edge research with a dose of good humor and practical advice, Robert Sapolsky's Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers explains how prolonged stress causes or intensifies a range of physical and mental afflictions, including depression, ulcers, colitis, heart disease, and more. For instance, when we worry or experience stress, our body turns on the same physiological responses that an animal's does; but we do not resolve conflict in the same way--through fighting or fleeing. Over time, this activation of a stress response makes us sick. Funny, engaging stories throughout make the scientific concepts relatable while also providing us with some strategies to cope and be more like the zebras. AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 10
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APR 09 NORTHEASTERN
STATE UNIVERSITY INTERTRIBAL POWWOW Our friends in Tahlequah at NSU held the 49th Annual Symposium on the American Indian in a blended virtual and in-person format starting earlier this week on April 4 and will conclude with the NSU Powwow on April 9. This multitribal powwow begins at 2pm and will feature gourd dancing, dinner, and other intertribal activities all centered around the theme "Fulfilling Our Ancestors' Dreams." This event is co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Oklahoma Arts Council. For more information or to register call 918.444.4350 or email tribalstudies@nsuok.edu.
ART ABLED EXHIBITION AT MYRIAD BOTANICAL APR One in four Americans live with a disability at some point in their lives, visible 11 or not. Disabilities affect how individuals interact with the world around them and open unique avenues for creative exploration. Each artist featured in this exhibition uses art to communicate in a distinctive way based on their lived experiences. Enjoy the exhibit at the Crystal Bridge ART Gallery at the Myriad Botanical Gardens through April 11. Admission is free!
MAY 06 22ND
ANNUAL COWBOYS OF COLOR RODEO
Founded by professional cowboy and recent Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Cleo Hearn, the Cowboys of Color Invitational Rodeo will make a stop in Oklahoma City at the Jim Norick Arena at the Fairgrounds May 6. Rodeo sports including barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding as well as concerts from gospel singer Kelly Price and rapper DJ Kool. Doors open at 3:30pm and admission ranges from $10-20 for each reserved seat. For more information call 405.948.6700.
MAY 28-30
45TH ANNUAL PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL
Returning to its traditional weekend, almost 100 visual artists across many mediums including paintings, ceramics, photography, woodworking, glass, and jewelry, 50 musicians and live performers across two stages will join 20 food and drink vendors to line OKC's unique, historic Paseo Arts District (between NW 30th & Dewey and NW 28th & Walker) Saturday through Monday starting at 10am for the 45th Annual Paseo Arts Festival. This leashed-pet-friendly festival will happen rain or shine and admission is free!
APR APR Easter 29 17
Last Day of Classes
MAY 07 Commencement
GARDENS
Volume 2, Issue 2 April/May 2022
Page 11
HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES APRIL 2 - MAY 2 RAMADAN
APRIL 15-23 PASSOVER
MAY 1
APRIL 15
GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL 21-MAY 2 RIDVÁN
MAY 8
BELTANE
BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY
AprilAUTISM
ACCEPTANCE MONTH
May ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
NAME A STAR IN OUR GALAXY Have you experienced someone doing intentional DEI work?
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THEM!
Use the QR Code or visit our Linktree!
CONTACT US DEI@OKCU.EDU
405-208-5030
LINKTR.EE/OKCUDIVERSITY
Resource
Pantry of Hope OPEN FRIDAYS 3pm-4pm
4th floor of Clara E. Jones Administration Building
Drop your donations of food or clothing at the Pantry on Fridays or anytime at the OCU Mailroom!
Do you or someone you know need further assistance? Staff can also share information about SNAP benefits!
email any questions or concerns to resourcepantry@okcu.edu
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We acknowledge that we gather on land indigenous to the Comanche, Osage and Wichita tribes, and lands extending throughout the state originally inhabited by the Apache, Quapaw, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. We acknowledge that the 39 sovereign tribal nations inhabiting what is now Oklahoma originate from all four corners of the North American continent, and that American indigenousness is hemispheric in scope. We honor the land and the people who have stewarded it throughout generations, and we commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit.
