DIVERSITY MATTERS
MAY – JUNE 2020
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Thank You!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 LGBT Pride Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Diversity Passport Program. . . . . . . . . 2 GAAD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Yammer Time!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 APA Heritage Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Practical Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Women's Resource Group. . . . . . . . . . 4 Remote HR Trainings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 #Throwback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 BSA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oed/staff Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor/CDO Olivia Ralph, JD Compliance Officer Lauren Rotonda, JD, MBA Compliance Officer Dominique Crockett, MHA Associate Assurance Consultant Tiffinie Snowden Inclusion and Engagement Coordinator Isabella Porcaro, MA Administrative Aide The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/ Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
FROM OED TO YOU – THANK YOU! Now this is a story all about how our lives got flipped-turned upside down and we’d like to take a minute so just stay right there, so we’ll tell you just how much we thank you and we CARE! Although this is not the theme song for the popular 90s sitcom, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the Office of Equity and Diversity wants to share our gratitude and appreciation for the UTHSC community and beyond for helping Shelby County during these difficult times. We are living in the midst of a global pandemic that has flipped our lives around, but the impact on our local community has been lessened due to those essential workers who have steadfastly worked to ensure we have necessary items including non-UTHSC workers such as grocery store workers, mail service providers, food workers and delivery service providers. With most of the campus having officially transitioned to telecommuting, there are still some essential employees working on campus to ensure constant safety on and around campus. Others such as select facility workers, are safely working on projects to enhance the campus for our return to campus. We call those brave souls ensuring the continuity of campus, Memphis, Shelby County and beyond “The Essentials”; from the bottom of our hearts we THANK YOU and be seeing you (B C N U)!
DIVERSITY MATTERS
MAY – JUNE 2020
JUNE IS LGBT PRIDE MONTH Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States, the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation, the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Retrieved from loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about Be on the lookout for exciting virtual events offered by the Office of Equity and Diversity!
INAUGURAL DIVERSITY PASSPORT PROGRAM:
VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY!
about the psychosocial factors that impacts the patients I’m honored to serve? Would definitely recommend!”
The first cohort of the newly formed Diversity Passport Program (DPP) has come to a close. The academic year-long program officially launched in October 2019 and lasted until May 12. Upon initial marketing for the program, the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) received 146 applications for the program. Of those selected for the program, participants who have successfully completed the requirements for the program will receive their certificate of completion when it is safe to distribute them.
In March, remaining activities were moved online to the Diversity Passport Program’s SharePoint site. Virtual poverty simulations, museum exhibits and community events were made available as well as online versions of remaining courses (i.e. Diversity and Inclusion 101, What’s Your Communication Style? and Unconscious Bias). Kirstie Finch a fourth- year medical student who diligently participated in the DPP concluded the program successfully saying, “Whether it was reflecting on Memphis’ musical evolution at STAX, watching an impactful film, or learning about communication style preferences, the Diversity Passport Program has been a wonderful forum to learn more about the city I love and appreciate the differences that make us all unique.”
Throughout the program, Cheressa Lylse, Human Resources assistant noted that she, “was able to increase [her] selfawareness and gain perspectives through the eyes of others. [The]DPP also provided me the opportunity to explore Memphis novelties such as the Stax Museum, Lemoyne-Owen College, and Rhodes College”. With a diverse and small cohort, participants were able to interact with teaching staff, tour guides and museum exhibits more personally which enriched the experience for the group as well as OED. Dr. Billy Holcombe, assistant professor of pediatrics says,
We are excited to have successfully completed the first experiential journey in exploring Memphis. We look forward to growing and exploring the city further when it is safe to do so.
“The Diversity Passport Program provided really unique opportunities for members of the UTHSC family to interact, learn more about Memphis’ rich history, learn more about ourselves, and have tough but necessary conversations about social, cultural, racial, and financial issues. This program is arguably one of the most organized and enriching of its kind. Who would’ve thought that a Miami transplant would get to eat Colombian food, talk about political figures, dance in a Bomba band, learn more about Memphis soul, and learn 2
GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS DAY The target audience of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is the design, development, usability, and related communities who build, shape, fund and influence technology and its use. While people may be interested in the topic of making technology accessible and usable by persons with disabilities, the reality is that they often do not know how or where to start. Awareness comes first. The idea of a Global Accessibility Awareness Day started with a single blog post written by a Los Angeles-based web developer, Joe Devon.
OED PRESENTS “YAMMER TIME”!
A SOCIAL NETWORKING PLATFORM PROVIDED BY MICROSOFT OFFICE 365
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander American Heritage month — also known as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. “Asian Pacific” encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands that make up Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
In support of UTHSC’s strategic plan with a focus on diversity and inclusion, the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) is looking to encourage the creation of relationships that lead to collaboration and innovation outcomes across the organization. This will be facilitated through the use of an app accessible in Microsoft 365 called Yammer.
APA Heritage has been legally observed since 1979, but was initially only celebrated May 4th through May 10th. Congress chose this seven day period to commemorate both the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the trans-continental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a bill to extend the week-long celebration to a month; the official designation of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law in 1992.
Yammer is Microsoft’s private organizational social and internal network tool, which introduces the collaborative and mobile ways of interacting across departments, organizational units, institutional status, and geographies. The ‘Go Live’ date for OED’s Yammer communities is Monday, June 1, and all you must do is follow one or all four of the communities. The four communities are: • The Center
In our ever-changing global landscape, it is increasingly important to acknowledge our cultures and build our historical awareness as Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans contribute to the diversity of both our UTHSC and national community. The national theme for 2020 is Unite Our Nation by Empowering Equality.
• 411/D&I • Access HSC • The Code We are developing a resource page to give you more information about Yammer that includes how it works so you can ‘Stop! Yammer Time’ with OED. Stay tuned!
Adapted from The Library of Congress website at asianpacificheritage.gov/about 3
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR CREATING AN INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
On April 24th, viewers tuned in via Zoom to join Dr. Tom Laughner, director of the Teaching and Learning Center, as he interviewed Dr. Janeane Anderson, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, about her research, teaching experiences, and insights into effective strategies and practical steps for creating inclusive learning environments for students. The webinar featured a Q & A format in which Dr. Anderson offered nuanced answers to questions from Dr. Laughner about inclusive learning spaces for diverse campuses. Dr. Anderson noted that ‘inclusive learning’ means, “everyone is encouraged and challenged to learn in a safe space.” She provided a foundation for why inclusive learning environments are important, noting that marginalized groups such as people of color, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled people often grapple with ‘othering’ factors, like microaggressions, that negatively impact their ability to be present and learn in environments that are not inclusive. Before Dr. Anderson solicited questions from the online audience, she presented 6 practical strategies for educators to begin creating inclusive learning environments in their classrooms:
WOMEN’S RESOURCE GROUP
DONATES $1,200 IN FOOD AND SNACKS TO FIRST RESPONDERS Written by Amber Carter
The Women’s Resource Group at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center donated $1,200 worth of food and snacks to local area hospitals to say thank you to first responders who are serving on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals visited included Regional One Health, Methodist Germantown, Baptist DeSoto, and Baptist Collierville. Each site received items approximately valued at $300. Donations ranged from cupcakes to vegetable trays.
1. Identify implicit biases and interrogate our assumptions.
“The UTHSC Women’s Resource Group responded to our faculty member, Dr. Amik Sodhi’s suggestion that we provide snacks and nourishing items to first responders in hospitals,” said Chandra Alston, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, associate vice chancellor of Human Resources at UTHSC. “Several organizations were donating, but those donations are few and far between when you spread them between all of the hospitals in the Mid-south area. Each hospital was grateful for our donation and we were excited to contribute. Thank you to all of the wonderful women of our group.”
2. Write or refine your teaching philosophy to include inclusivity. 3. Develop an inclusion contract with your students. 4. Examine the curriculum for perspectives that are systematically underrepresented in courses or language that does not meet standards for inclusion. 5. Model inclusive language. 6. Ask for feedback and then ACT on that feedback.
HR TRAININGS AVAILABLE REMOTELY! While there is much uncertainty in our recent days this can also be a time for us to grow. Take a few moments to explore the training materials UTHSC has to offer and find material to help you grow your professional self. The HR Training Calendar still has courses available for enrollment.
These courses may be offered in person (at a later date) or via Zoom. Also available to our staff and faculty are online courses that can be taken from the comfort of your home computer through K@TE and LinkedIn. Access to these training opportunities is available at uthsc.edu/hr/training. 4
DIVERSITY MATTERS
MAY – JUNE 2020
#THROWBACK (#TB) UTHSC Do you miss your colleagues? Have you forgotten what your coworkers look like? Here is a collection of #Throwback photos of various members of the UTHSC community!
2019 Service Awards where OED’s very own, Dr. Michael Alston received an award for 30 years of service in the UT System! GoPink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2019
GoRed for American Heart Month, February 2020
CoM, Knoxville Campus 2018 FIKA program
In February 2020, President Randy Boyd visited campus to tour the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in GEB led by Dr. Ken Brown, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer, at UTHSC. During President Boyd’s visit to campus Dr. Michael Alston, Office of Equity and Diversity, and Lieutenant Joanne Morrow, Campus Police, discussed campus Title IX and Clery Act compliance efforts as it relates to statistics, education, and programming. The 2019 annual reports for Title IX and the Clery Act are available for review. 5
DIVERSITY MATTERS
MAY – JUNE 2020
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS May 7:
uddhist: Vesak – also called Buddha Day, B commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha
BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION
May 21: Christian: Ascension Day – marks the anniversary of the day Jesus rose to heaven
Written by Amber Carter
Islamic: Eid al-Fitr – begins at sighting of crescent moon, the Feast of Breaking the Fast marking the end of Ramadan
DONATES $250 TO MEMPHIS UNION MISSION The Black Student Association (BSA) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center recently donated $250 to the Memphis Union Mission. The check was presented during this year’s BSA Awards Ceremony. BSA members select a local charity or philanthropic effort to support each year. “As future healthcare professionals, we are passionate about the health of our community and love giving back to the community that has been able to give us so much in our time here at UTHSC,” said Kristiana Avad, BSA service chair and College of Pharmacy student. Founded in 1945, the Memphis Union Mission is the city’s oldest rescue mission dedicated to assisting the homeless with food, shelter, and clothing. “We collectively decided to donate to the Memphis Union Mission,” said Briana Spruill-Harrell, College of Graduate Health Sciences student representative and BSA executive board member, who led the initiative. “This donation will have a major impact on our community, and we are thankful that we were able to donate to this wonderful organization to help strive to make Memphis a better place.” BSA invited leadership from the Memphis Union Mission to be part of the Awards Ceremony and check presentation. A recent graduate of one of the Memphis Union Mission’s programs, who is now celebrating a new beginning in life, was also in attendance.
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 920 Madison Ave. | Suite 825 t 901.448.2112 | f 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed
May 23: Baha’i: Declaration of the Bab – commemorates the Bab’s prediction of the new messenger of God
May 29: Jewish: Shavuot – begins at sundown, festival of first fruits, following the key harvest season June 7: Christian: Trinity Sunday – celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit June 11: Roman Catholic: Feast of Corpus Christi – Latin for ‘Body of Christ’, this movable Christian feast commemorates the Holy Eucharist June 14: Baha’i: Race Unity Day – celebrated worldwide to promote racial harmony and understanding Eastern Orthodox Christian: All Saints Day – marks the close of the Easter season June 16: Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib June 19: Roman Catholic: Feast of the Sacred Heart – one of the most popular of all devotions in the Roman Catholic Church June 20:
agan and Wiccan: Litha (Summer Solstice) P begins at sundown – sabbat observed on the summer solstice
* Holy days usually begin at sundown the day before this date. ** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.