Weekly Three 06/09/21
Greetings Miami Community
Here is the “weekly three” from the Office of Institutional Diversity.
One: DEI Implementation
"Behind the Scenes" Town Hall Session
President Gregory Crawford and Provost Jason Osborne will host a hybrid (in-person and virtual) event on June 16th from noon–1:30 pm. One hundred and fifty participants are allowed to attend the in-person event at Hall auditorium. All in-person attendees will be required to wear face masks and maintain social distancing in accordance with Butler County and Miami University guidelines to help minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Third Annual Across the Divide Conference
The Across the Divide Conference is the primary Diversity & Inclusion showcase for Miami University, with a goal to promote a deeper community understanding of the key issues and diversity activities across the institution. The theme for the 2021 conference will be “Achievement & Opportunity.” This theme allows us to celebrate the areas we are doing well, while also acknowledging areas of promise and examining pathways for improvement in those areas. This year’s conference will be in person on October 8, 2021, from 9 am–3 pm.
Call for proposals is now open until July 16 at 11:59 pm. (Deadline has been extended.)
First DEI Ally & Advocates Happy Hour
In alignment with Pillar 3, Recommendation #8
Black Arts Initiative Listening Party and Happy Hour for Miami Faculty Staff Affinity Groups
Black Roots music holds gifts of community, hope, meditation, and solace. Engage with colleagues across Miami as musician and activist Michael Mwenso guides a greater human connection through the lived experiences of powerful and important Black artists. Create community as you listen to and talk through a curated selection of significant and engaging songs as a group.
Join us for a virtual happy hour and listening party Tuesday, June 15 from 6:00–7:30 pm.
(Registration link to follow.)
Dialogues Across Difference
The goal of this series is to have models of dialogue and discussion, between people in our community who represent differing views in a given area (e.g., politics), to show the possibility that we can have a diverse community of people who can exist together peacefully and civilly. We are actively searching for a conversation between staff members. Please submit your ideas or suggestions for future dialogue topics.
Two: Community Updates
Juneteenth "Teach-In" Commemoration
Miami University will close at 2 pm on Friday, June 18, to honor and commemorate Juneteenth. We should all reflect and contemplate the importance of this day in U.S. history.
Dr. Rodney Coates will provide a pre-recorded lecture about this important day in American history. The lecture will be released on Friday, June 18th, 2021 at 2 pm. This lecture will be free and available to the general public.
Directly following this lecture, Dr. Coates has agreed to host a Q&A session for the Miami Community from 3:15–4:00 pm. Additional information will be forthcoming.
National Civil Rights Conference
Rise, Advocate, Educate, and Cooperate: The Challenge of Change
Miami University will host the 10th annual National Civil Rights Conference on June 20-22, 2021. Miami University was selected to host the conference because of its sponsorship of the conference, history of activism tied to Freedom Summer, and numerous civil rights landmarks and sites around its campus. The National Education and Empowerment Coalition, Inc., Miami University, and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana are proud co-sponsors. The theme for this year’s conference is: Rise, Advocate, Educate, and Cooperate: The Challenge of Change. Conference attendees and program participants are required to register for the conference. Registration includes admission to all sessions, and exhibit halls, and daily keynotes.
Registration is free for Senior Citizens and High School students (conference meals not included).
Humanities Center Book Club and Guest Presentation
September 2, 2021 | Book Club
To prepare for this signature event, the center invites all faculty, staff, community members, students, and alumni to a Humanities Center Book Club from 5:00–6:15 pm. Participants will break into groups for discussion and will reconvene over snacks and drinks. The Humanities Center will provide a free electronic or hardback copy of Caste to the first 50 faculty and staff members who sign up for the Book Club. If you wish to receive a free copy of the book, please contact the Humanities Center.
Sept 9, 2021 | Guest Speaker
On September 9, the John W. Altman Program in the Humanities and the Miami University Focus Program will host a conversation with Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
Interfaith Prayer Vigil
Hillel, The Interfaith Center, the Sikh Student Association, and the Oxford Interfaith community are gathering together for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil this Sunday, June 13th at 7:30 pm. Join us in wishing peace for all people, and uniting to end hate of all kinds.
Virtual meet and greet with the new Associate Director of CSDI LGBTQ+ Initiatives
Dr. April Callis officially joined the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion staff as the new Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives on May 24th. April comes to us from UNC Chapel Hill, where she was the Assistant Director of their LGBTQ Center. In her new role, April looks forward to the opportunity of advocating for and supporting LGBTQ+ students, while also providing learning opportunities for the broader Miami community. Drop by between 6 and 7pm on Wednesday, June 30th to meet April, the new AD of LGBTQ+ Initiatives. She’ll be available to answer questions about her vision for LGBTQ+ inclusion on campus, or to discuss her love of huskies, horses, and nerd culture.
Three: Celebrations & Recognition
Francois Carbon, University of Luxembourg, accepting the award on behalf of the Transatlantic Dialogue
Luxembourg Peace Prize Ceremony
The 2021 Luxembourg Peace Prize ceremony took place as part of the Compassionate Leadership Summit on Climate, Health and Peace and the 5th Annual Transatlantic Dialogue conference at the University of Luxembourg during the week of May 28. The Outstanding Peace Education award was presented to the Transatlantic Dialogue (TAD). The TAD conference is a series on global citizenship, held in Luxembourg since 2008, as a collaborative effort between University of Luxembourg and Miami University, as well as numerous international partner organizations and institutions. The TAD explores the significance of culture and liberal education for fostering global citizenship from both the United States and European perspectives.
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
I apologize for incorrectly noting the A in LGBTQIA+ as standing for not only Asexual or Aromantic but “and/or Ally” in last week’s newsletter. The A represents Asexual and Aromantic. OIDI thanks the QTFSA for their partnership in amplifying LGBTQIA+ Pride Month at Miami.
DEI Task Force Recommendation, Pillar 2: Cultural Consciousness encourages the Miami University community to update our awareness, knowledge, and skills to enrich and renew our intercultural competence. As an educational institution, we believe everyone is capable of growth and change. In 2018 Miami University was ranked 47th in the US among the most LGBTQ-friendly colleges in the US. Our responsibility is to provide opportunities for everyone – students, faculty, and staff – to continue their learning. As such, we recognize the proclamation by the President of the United States that June is LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) Pride Month.
At Miami University we recognize the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, celebrate the great diversity of Miamians, and support the right for everyone to live proudly and authentically. Pride is a time to acknowledge the systematic oppression the LGBTQIA+ community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality. Pride is both a communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity.
This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals at Miami University and across the United States of America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. During LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically.
To provide everyone the opportunity to advance their intercultural competence, we invite our campus community to learn more about LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. We encourage all Miamians to engage in dialogue and allyship with our campus community organizations such as Spectrum, Miami University Pride, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, Graduate Student Pride Association, Queer & Trans* Faculty/Staff Association, Oxford Area PFLAG, and 1809 LGBTQ+ Alumni on a regular basis. Greater understanding through dialogue and allyship will help inform our efforts around diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. We value relationships that have been forged and continue our efforts to strengthen those and build even more. We encourage all members of our community to promote their LGBTQIA+ Pride events and invite you to submit your event to the University Calendar and complete the Weekly Three Submission.
Love and Honor,
Dr. Anthony James, Jr.