March 2020 DEI Updates

March 9, 2020

UPDATES REGARDING FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENT DEI-RELATED ACTIVITY

Focus on our goal: Promoting an Equitable and Inclusive Climate

2019-2020 DEI Coalition. In partnership with the Rackham Graduate School, each graduate program is asked to identify at least one faculty member who has shown a commitment to diversity issues and agrees to serve as a part of the Faculty Allies for Diversity in Graduate Education. Ford School Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Natasha Pilkauskas spoke about her role in this position and presented information about the Rackham Faculty Allies Diversity Grant.

The Coalition discussed student advocacy and the growing call for campuses across the nation to examine institutional policies and practices that affect campus climate and diversity practices. Specific to the Ford School, the Coalition provided feedback and suggestions regarding ways to enhance inclusive teaching practices and student support services.

The University is in year four of implementing a five-year strategic diversity plan. The Coalition had a preliminary conversation about the next iteration of the five-year strategic diversity plan and how to engage Ford School students, staff, and faculty during the planning process.

Reflection Space. As the academic school year comes to an end, remember the Ford School’s Reflection Space is available for use.

Are you a Ford School student organization planning an event during winter term? Consider submitting a DEI Funding Request. The purpose of the funding is to encourage student-led programming that advance objectives in the Y4 Ford School Diversity Plan. Access the funding request form and send inquiries to [email protected] and [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, March 9 | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | A Lunchtime Conversation about “White Fragility” | 1110 Weill Hall (Betty)
Join faculty discussant, Alford A. Young, Jr., the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Departments of Sociology and Afroamerican and African Studies. More information about the event can be found here. An RSVP is requested. Food will be served, so you may arrive as early as 11:45 AM for lunch.

Thursday, March 12  | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM | Provost's Seminar on Teaching | Michigan League
The seminar, entitled Our Relationship with Assessment: It's Complicated, will bring together faculty and staff across disciplines to share and discuss how we document the gains students make within and across the vast array of disciplines of the University. An RSVP is required.

Friday, March 13  | 3:00 - 4:30 PM | Michigan League Ballroom 911 N. University Avenue
A discussion with Robin DiAngelo on “White Fragility.”

Monday, March 16  | 11:30 - 12:50 PM | "One Woman's Career: Reflections on Being a Transgender Federal Senior Executive" |  RSVP via FordCareers
A discussion with Diana Maurer.

Thursday, April 30 | 4:30 - 7:00 PM | 25th Annual Lavender Graduation | Trotter Multicultural Center
More information about this event, including an RSVP can be found here.

For U-M DEI events across campus visit: diversity.umich.edu.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

March is Women’s History Month. This is an annual celebration to recognize the great contributions that women have made to our nation. The public celebration of women's history in the United States began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month. This month also includes International Women’s Day on March 8.

To see a showcase of videos that spotlight women who have impacted our history visit U-M’s Organizational Learning website or the Women's History Month videos.

RESOURCES

Registration is now open for the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Winter 2020 Seminar Series. This series provides an opportunity for participants to share ideas across disciplines, improve their teaching skills, expand their repertoire of teaching methods, and gain new perspectives on teaching at Michigan. For a full list of CRLT seminars and to register for individual sessions visit CRLT Events

For a full list of CRLT seminars and to register for individual sessions, visit the CRLT site.  

Additional Campus Resources

Got news? 

Do you know of an upcoming DEI related event that may be of interest to others? Send your news updates to [email protected] or call (734) 615-4402.

Thank you for supporting our DEI mission.

Best wishes,


Stephanie Sanders
Diversity Officer/Lecturer III