Weekly Three 11/15/21
Greetings Miami University,
Here is this week's diversity, equity, inclusion "weekly three" from the Office of Institutional Diversity:
Religious Observances and Inclusive Scheduling
We are excited to announce that starting this week all Miamians have access to the “Religious Observances and Inclusive Scheduling” calendar as a Google calendar through their Miami entity account. You can add this calendar by searching for it under "Other Calendars" in your Google calendar account. OIDI would like to thank Randy Hollowell, Manager, IT Communications & Customer Advocacy, for his work to make the Google calendar possible, and Simran Kaur-Colbert, Graduate Assistant in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and Ph.D. Candidate in Student Affairs in Higher Education for her ongoing work on the narrative calendar.
This calendar is designed to complement the Academic Affairs calendar. It provides guidance to help avoid scheduling conflicts, in line with our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you would like to suggest additions or edits please send your suggestions to vpdiversity@MiamiOH.edu. This initiative further advances DEI Task Force Pillar Four, Structural and Resource Support, Recommendation 10 and DEI Taskforce Pillar 2: Cultural Consciousness.
One: DEI Implementation
IDS 253 Voices of Discovery: Intergroup Dialogue (3 credits)
This course meets the Intercultural Perspectives (IC) requirements of the Global Miami Plan IDS 253 introduces the intergroup dialogue model of peer learning and involves semi-structured face-to-face meetings across social identity groups, discussion of relevant reading material, and exploration of group experiences in social and institutional contexts. The goal is to create a setting in which students engage in open and constructive dialogue and explore issues of intergroup relations, intellectual diversity, free speech, conflict, and community. In the process, students learn about themselves and peers with different social identities while gaining valuable skills in cross-cultural communication and team-building. New knowledge, awareness, mindsets, and active listening skills acquired through the practice of intergroup dialogue serve to help students communicate better at school, in the classroom, and on the job.
Registration CRNs: 89031 and 89032 (Oxford) and 90492 (Hamilton)
Expanded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion "Behind the Scenes" Town Hall
In line with Pillar 5: Inclusion and Accountability, Recommendation 3, OIDI hosts “Behind the Scenes” Townhalls to provide insights and details of how DEI is embedded in the decision-making processes and practices of each division. This fall we invite the Miami community to join an expanded DEI Behind the Scenes Townhall Series, featuring College Deans.
Save the date for the next events:
- Graduate School, Tuesday, November 16, 12-1pm, Register Now
- Farmer School of Business, Wednesday, December 1, 12-1pm Register Now
Two: Community Updates
Truth & Reconciliation Project Trip – March 2022
Miami University would like to announce a Truth & Reconciliation Project trip to Montgomery, Alabama on March 21-24, 2022. This project is a continuation of the work of Drs. Anthony James and Valerie Carmichael and the Butler County Truth & Reconciliation Coalition. In line with the Equal Justice Initiative Community Remembrance Project, this trip will promote community-wide conversations about this period in U.S. History. Both Miami University personnel and residents of Butler County are eligible to participate in the trip. This project is led by Dr. Anthony James, Dr. Valerie Carmichael, Mr. Randi Thomas, and Mr. D’Angelo Solomon. Deadline to complete the form is December 1, 2021.
College of Engineering and Computer Science, Dean Beena Sukumaran Discusses Building a Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research Groups with Science.Org
Women in the “Werkplace”
Thursday, November 18 at 8pm Shriver Center, Bystrom
Alumna Nkechi Iloka, @CorporateCurly delivers a straight talk about women of color in the “werkplace”. She will address how to define success for yourself, microaggressions, fashion and the politics of hair. Join us for a community conversation. All are welcome. This event is brought to you be a partnership with the Center for Career Exploration & Success Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and Women of Kolour Excellence Group
Dragonfly Diversity Cafe Virtual Talk & Discussion Featuring “Cre” Credell Walls
Thursday, November 18 at 7:30pm
Cre Walls has worked with the Jane Goodall Institute and the Garfield Park Conservatory managing various youth programs locally and nationally. He has delivered professional and personal development training workshops to more than 3,000 youth nationally. Walls’ background includes studying improvisational comedy at Chicago’s Second City and he has performed with the sketch comedy group “Soul Fools” and “Minority Rules” in different festivals and venues in Chicago. Throughout his career, Walls has made several TV and radio spots promoting service learning and youth development. Learn about the life of Credell Walls as he shares how connecting youth to nature helped him to overcome personal life challenges.
Global Education and Diversity Workshop
Thursday, November 18 at 1:30-2:30 pm
Dr. Amer F. Ahmed, Miami '00, will be facilitating a workshop on Dismantling the U.S. vs. International Dichotomy: Creating Synergy Between Global Ed and Diversity/Social Justice. This interactive program is open to all students, faculty & staff.Dr. Ahmed is the Honors College Faber Scholar in Residence and his program is generously sponsored by the Honors College. This event is part of International Education Week 2021.
Reimagine Education Conference Keynote Address
Monday November 29 1:30-2:30 pm at Shriver Center, Dolbois Room
The College of Education, Health and Society Dean’s Office invites you to attend the Keynote Address by Professor of Secondary Education at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Cheryl Matias: CRT, Teaching, And White Woman’s Tears, Oh My: Hysteria in Racially Just Teaching.
“Accelerating Ahead: Miami’s Focus on the Future”
This virtual conference is a compilation of presentations from Miami University educators and thought leaders. This nine-session virtual conference covers topics spanning from living, learning, and working amidst a pandemic to strategies for future success.TheseTedTalk-style presentations, featuring Miami’s administrators, faculty, and staff from various colleges, offices/departments, and disciplines, will share insight into how Miami has persevered, acquired new knowledge, developed new initiatives, learned best practices for going forward, discovered ways to build a better future and more.
Three: Celebrations & Recognition
International Education Week Keynote Address & Awards Reception
Thursday, November 18, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Keynote Address by Miami Alum (Class of 2000) and Honors College Faber Scholar in Residence, Dr. Amer F. Ahmed, Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at University of Vermont Dismantling the U.S. vs. International Dichotomy: Creating Synergy Between Global Ed and Diversity/Social Justice
Sponsored by the Miami University Honors College 5:00 - 6:00 pm - IEW Awards Reception will recognize the winners of the student contests as well as honor the faculty and staff recipients of the Faculty Award for Innovation in Global Programming and the Donald Nelson Award for Outstanding International Student Support (staff). The award announcements will be followed by light refreshments.
Native American Heritage Month
This month, we will spotlight events that showcase Native American cultures, identities, and experiences. We recognize and celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native peoples. We aim to educate the general public and raise awareness about these identities, experiences, and contributions. Miami University is located within the historic homelands of the Myaamia people, who were forcibly removed from their homelands 175 years ago. The special relationship between the Miami Tribe and Miami University started almost 50 years ago. Neepwaantiinki, the Myaamia word meaning “learning from each other," is a rich interpretation of “partners in learning," a phrase that Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma have used for years to describe their reciprocal relationship. The Myaamia Heritage Logo references the traditional Miami Tribe art form of ribbonwork and symbolizes the unique relationship between the University and Tribe. At Miami, we celebrate this very unique partnership as we celebrate Native American History month. We encourage all Miamians to engage in dialogue and allyship with the Miami Tribe Relations Office, and more broadly to learn more about Native American cultures, identities, and experiences.
Trans Awareness Week
(November 13-19)
Miami University honors and celebrates the achievements and resiliency of transgender individuals and communities. President Joe Biden signed a historic proclamation on Transgender Day of Visibility recognizing the struggle, activism, and courage of trans*, transgender, and gender non-binary people in the United States and around the world to live openly and authentically. 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 and Trans* Faculty Staff Association, Oxford Area PFLAG , and the 1809 LGBTQ+ Alumni Committee. We invite all to learn more about Transgender Day of Visibility.
Transgender Awareness Week Celebration at King Library Lobby
- Monday, November 15th 10am-2pm
- Buttons • Vinyl Decals • Books • Community
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
- Friday, November 19th 6:30pm Armstrong Seal
- Join Spectrum and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion as we honor those who've lost their lives to anti-transgender violence.
Heroes Week
At Miami University we are proud to be in the top 15 percent of national colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America's military service members, veterans and dependents as students. Members of the military make tremendous sacrifices for our country. Miami Regionals will be celebrating Heroes Week with a number of events honoring all our veterans during the month of November. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. We encourage all Miamians to engage in dialogue and allyship, including through campus and community organizations such as the Center for Veterans Services, Student Veterans Association and to visit the Alumni Veterans Memorial. We are proud of all of our community members who have completed Green Zone Training.
Upcoming Religious Holy Days and Holidays & Inclusive Scheduling
- November 15: Shichi-go-san (Shinto)
- November 19: Gurpurab Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
- November 21st: Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
- November 23: Niinamesai (Shinto)
- November 25*: Day of the Covenant (Bahá’í)
- November 27*: Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Bahá’í)
- November 28: Advent (Christian)
- November 29-December 6*: Hanukkah (Jewish)
“*” denotes holidays that start sundown the day before. Please note that individual practices may vary.
Please see the academic affairs calendar and complementing interfaith narrative calendar for policies and for more information, and regarding religious holy days and holidays observed by Miami Community members.
With Love and Honor,
Cristina Alcalde, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Professor, Global and Intercultural Studies
vpDiversity@MiamiOH.edu