Chancellor Announces New University-wide Workgroup on Diversity, Inclusion
Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced the creation of a new University-wide Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion. The new workgroup will mirror in structure and scope the successful Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Education and Advocacy the Chancellor created last fall.
Most critically, the new Workgroup will consider the work previously done by the Diversity, LGBT and Women’s Concerns committees of the University Senate, the Student Affairs Senior Vice President’s Council on Diversity & Inclusion, and continue the progress made last year by the Express Yourself workgroups in key areas such as: Diversity and Inclusion Planning; Participatory Educational Experience; Recruitment, Support, Retention and Success; Faculty Ambassador Program; and Athletics-Student Engagement.
The announcement follows a three-day retreat Chancellor Syverud held last month with all the deans of the schools and colleges, vice chancellors and leaders of all parts of the University. The retreat focused on creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment at Syracuse.
That retreat was facilitated by Kathy Obear, president of Alliance For Change, a training and organizational development consulting firm specializing in creating inclusion, team and organizational effectiveness, and change management. At the Chancellor’s request, Obear will be visiting Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 2, to deliver a keynote address focused on creating a sustainable diverse and inclusive campus community.
Overall, the mission of the new Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion will be to develop solutions on how to further create a more diverse and inclusive climate at the University. Members of the Workgroup will create an institutional diversity strategy and align it with the Vision and Mission contained in the University’s new Academic Strategic Plan.
Through Friday, Oct. 9, members of the University community are encouraged to nominate themselves or another campus community member they believe will bring value to the new Workgroup. The membership of the Task Force will be announced by Thursday, Oct. 15, with the inaugural meeting taking place the following week.
“This new Workgroup is critical as we work to continue to make Syracuse a diverse and inclusive environment for all,” says Chancellor Syverud. “I encourage any member of the Syracuse campus community to step forward to assist in this effort, or nominate a colleague or friend who can contribute to this important work.”
Through Oct. 9, individuals from the Syracuse University community may nominate themselves or a colleague/friend for consideration as a member of the new Workgroup by clicking here. For further information, please contact Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Dean of University College Bea González at 315-443-3259.
