DIVERSITY MATTERS
JULY – AUGUST 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Diversity Certificate Program. . . . . . . . 1 Women’s Equality Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Title IX and Retaliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Commemorative Month Observances . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Thomas Lichterman "Employee of the Year" Award. . . . . 3 College of Dentistry Diversity Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2017 Chancellor's Exempt Staff Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 QEP: Cast Your Vote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oed/staff
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP
DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM The Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) is excited to announce the Diversity Certificate Program. Increasingly, diversity and inclusion are becoming strategic business drivers that have a direct impact on organizational effectiveness and reputation. Investing in diversity and inclusion is paramount to improving employee engagement, serving students more effectively, increasing institutional innovation, and preparing more knowledgeable health care professionals. Participants in the certificate program will explore their own background, identities, and values; develop critical competencies relevant to a wide variety of disciplines; deepen their understanding of historical and institutionalized policies that continue to impact inequities for diverse and marginalized populations; and learn tools for decreasing bias and supporting a more inclusive climate for underrepresented minorities at UTHSC. The program will demonstrate that embracing diversity and inclusion can bring a broader range of perspectives and backgrounds into our organization, leading to more effective decision-making. With these tools, OED hopes that participants will gain a sound understanding of the latest research and best practices in the fields of cultural competency and diversity.
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Amber Carter
WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY
Dustin Fulton, MS
“At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.”
Publications Editor, Diversity Matters Sr. Equity Assurance Administrator
Maggie Joyce, JD
Sr. OED Consultant
Lauren Rotonda, JD, MBA Sr. Inclusion Strategist
Sophia Mosher, MPA 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.
The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. Workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Equality Day programs, displays, video showings, or other activities.” nwhp.org/resources/commemorations/womens-equality-day 1
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JULY – AUGUST 2017
COMMEMORATIVE OBSERVANCES Want to know more about the Office of Equity and Diversity’s (OED) programming efforts with commemorative months? Visit uthsc.edu/oed/events for a list of notable observed commemorative months. These recurrent observances are used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something.
TITLE IX AND RETALIATION Note from the Assistant Vice Chancellor
Under Title IX, UTHSC is prohibited from retaliating against an individual for asserting Title IX rights and/or raising concerns that the University is in violation of Title IX. Title IX requires UTHSC, if known or reasonably should have known of possible retaliation, to protect complainants and witnesses and ensure their safety as necessary. Retaliation related to complaints or reports of sexual misconduct is addressed in the Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation policy. This policy applies broadly to the entire University community, including students, medical residents, fellows, post doc, faculty, staff, contractors, patients and others. As a reminder, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees of educational institutions which receive federal financial assistance. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault. Title IX states that “[n]o person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance...” (20 U.S.C. § 1681). The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is in charge of enforcing Title IX. Information regarding OCR can be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ ocr/index.html. UTHSC’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Michael Alston, is charged with monitoring compliance with Title IX, providing education and training, tracking and reporting annually on all incidents in violation of this policy, and coordinating the University’s investigation, response, and resolution of all reports under this policy. Dr. Alston can be reached in the Office of Equity and Diversity, located in 920 Madison, Suite 825, 901-448-2112 or mialston@uthsc.edu. 2
OED’s programming efforts related to commemorative months are offered to enhance the knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity, cultural competence and inclusion, but more importantly are in support of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s (UTHSC) mission. The Law Library of Congress provides commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months.
SELECTED COMMEMORATIVE OBSERVANCES CELEBRATED AT UTHSC: • Black History Month February
• Women’s History Month March
• Asian Pacific Heritage Month May
• LGBT Pride Month June
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October
• Veterans Day
November 11
• American Indian Heritage Month November
THOMAS LICHTERMAN “EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR” AWARD:
NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW!
July 25, 2017 - August 22, 2017 is the 31st Annual Thomas C. Lichterman “Employee of the Year” Award nomination period. entered. Click on the appropriate person’s name. The next screen will provide detailed information on your proposed nominee. Click at the bottom of this page to proceed on the nomination. Next you will be asked to enter your NetID and password. Next you will press the “Submit Nomination” button. The next screen confirms your nomination.
Each year, non-exempt employees with at least 3 years of service can be nominated for the Lichterman award by a supervisor, co-worker or other UTHSC or University Clinical Health (UCH) employee. Nominees should possess qualities such as: dedication, hard-work and a positive attitude. If you know of any UT or UCH employees that meet these standards of service, please nominate them! To nominate an employee during the nomination period, visit the nomination webpage: uthsc.edu/lichtermanaward/namesake. UTHSC People Search can also be used to nominate UTHSC employees for the Lichterman Award until August 22, 2017. To submit a nomination, enter the name of the person that you wish to nominate in the people search box on the main page of the UTHSC website. A return search will display all persons with the name that you
Learn more about Lichterman by viewing: uthsc.edu/lichterman-award/namesake. For more information contact Sophia Mosher at smosher2@uthsc.edu. Good luck to all nominees!
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY DIVERSITY TRAINING strategist, all serve as guest lecturers introducing topics such as cultural competency, unconscious bias and diversity, conflict resolution, and personal boundaries. The increasing diversity of Tennessee and the United States presents great opportunities for health care professionals, and the ability to provide culturally competent care to patients is surely a determinant of success. As a result of this course and others like it, UTHSC is able to advance the mission of bringing the benefits of health sciences to citizens regionally and statewide.
During the fall semester, first year students in the College of Dentistry enroll in Human Values and Personal Ethics, a course that explores topics ranging from personal values to professional ethics. With the guidance of course director Dr. Nikki Dyer, NCC, students are taught how to apply ethical reasoning and consider professional obligations when making decisions as both a student and future health care provider. OED has been involved with this course for more than five years. Dustin Fulton, MS, senior equity assurance administrator, Maggie Joyce, JD, senior OED consultant, and Lauren Rotonda, JD, MBA, senior inclusion
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DIVERSITY MATTERS
JULY – AUGUST 2017
2017 CHANCELLOR’S EXEMPT STAFF AWARD The Office of Equity and Diversity, in conjunction with the Chancellor’s Office and the Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award Selection Committee, presents the 2017 Annual Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award. The Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award evolved during the UT Family Campaign in 2007 by Drs. Michael and Chandra Alston, co-chairs for non-exempt staff and non-faculty exempt staff groups. This award was created to recognize one deserving non-faculty exempt employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and/or who has made a significant contribution to the university community beyond the normally expected duties for his/her position. The winner will be announced and presented with a plaque and a $1,500.00 award during the December award ceremony. The winner’s picture will be displayed on OED’s website. NOMINATION PERIOD: September 1 – October 1, 2017 – The Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award nominations should be submitted no later than October 1, 2017, by 5:00 p.m. Each nomination must be supported by a minimum of three (3) nominators, including the contact person. The contact person is encouraged to elicit a maximum of three (3) letters of support from individuals/sources who can speak to the nominee’s candidacy for this award. The nominee’s manager/ supervisor must be included as either a nominator or a signatory on a letter of support. The nomination form and all information related to this award can be found on the OED website. uthsc.edu/oed/exemptstaff
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS August 1
Lammas - Christian
Tish'a B'av* - Jewish
Lughnassad - Imbolc* - Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres
Fast in Honor of Holy Mother of Jesus Orthodox Christian
August 6
Transfiguration of the Lord Orthodox Christian
August 7
Raksha Bandhan* - Hindu
August 15 Krishna Janmashtami* - Hindu
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Christian
Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Christian
August 24 Beginning of Ganesha Chaturthi* - Hindu August 26 Beginning of Paryushana Parva* - Jain August 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist - Christian August 31 Waqf al Arafa - Hajj Day* - Islam *Date may vary by local or regional customs.
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DIVERSITY MATTERS
JULY – AUGUST 2017
COMMUNITY EVENTS MEMPHIS MUSIC AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL September 2-3, 2017 11:00 am - 11:00 pm in Downtown Memphis The Center for Southern Folklore will put on the 31st annual festival celebrating the music and heritage unique to the Memphis Delta Region. For more information, visit southernfolklore.com/festival
MEMPHIS JAPAN FESTIVAL Sunday, September 24, 2017 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at Memphis Botanic Garden The festival will feature Japanese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, cultural exhibits, children’s activities, merchandise and food. For more information, visit memphisbotanicgarden.com
28TH SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC CULTURAL CELEBRATION September 7-9, 2017 Three days of events include the annual HBCU matchup between Jackson State University and Tennessee State University, music performances, and much more. For more information, visit southernheritageclassic.com
RHIANNON GIDDENS AMERICAN MUSIC SERIES Friday, September 29, 8:00 pm Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) For more information, visit gpacweb.com
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 920 Madison Avenue | Suite 825 phone 901.448.2112 | fax 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed 5