Community and Climate Action Team

The Division of Student Life Community and Climate Action Team will work to develop, guide, and advance community and climate initiatives within the Division of Student Life. The team is charged with developing a Student Life Action Plan; a plan that the division will be accountable to implement - marked by responsible parties, timelines, and measurable outcomes. The team is co-chaired by Director of the Rinella Learning Center Christina Carrubba-Whetstine and Assistant Dean of Students Benjamin Williams.

Student Life 2022-23 Action Plan

Systemic Change

Subcommittee Project Leads: Christina Carrubba-Whetstine, Chair

Subcommittee Project Team: John Ward, Jacqlyn Schott, and Noah Montague

Goal #1: Develop a plan on how Student Life units can more intentionally work to close retention gaps with identified student populations.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Identify how directors of SL units access retention data to determine correlation between services and retention. High Working
Task 2: Engage in conversation with directors and leadership about assessment needs around services and retention.
Task 3: Develop sample plan of how retention initiatives can be tracked through assessment planning.

 

GOAL #2: Improve Student Life efforts to recruit and retain staff of color.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Identify areas of the "house" that need to be "cleaned up" through DEI audits related to staff recruitment.
Task 2: Identify areas of the "house" that need to be "cleaned up.
Task 3: Present findings to directors and leadership team.
Task 4: Gain consensus on a strategy moving foward.
Task 5: Develop plan.

 

GOAL #3: Develop a systems focused plan on educating the division on how to work with neurodivergent students throughout our processes. Develop plan on how to expand that knowledge to the greater university community.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Work with the Educational Change subcommittee to develop and implement baseline divisional wide education on neurodivergence.
Task 2: Assess how various department protocols can be adjusted to be neurodivergent accessible.
Task 3: Develop materials to help neurodivergent students interact with various protocols.

Updated January 10, 2023.

Education and Training

Subcommittee Project Leads: Alexis Roach, Chair

Subcommittee Project Team: Hannah Muldoon-Davis, Ghada Mahdi, Leslie Haxby McNeill, Octavia Hubert

Goal #1: Create and launch an inclusion-focused online training for student workers in the Division of Student Life.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Review and provide feedback on the content and formatting of the current draft of the training Canvas course. Make edits to existing content based on feedback. High

Completed
Task 2: Identify any gaps in training learning outcomes and develop content to fill those gaps. High Completed
Task 3: Determine and launch a course pilot strategy for student workers in the Division of Student Life to engage with the training and provide feedback. High Working
Task 4: Organize and use feedback from the training pilot to make course edits. High Not started
Task 5: Develop a division-wide implementation strategy for the course, including measurable implementation outcomes and goals. High Not started
Task 6: Develop an assessment strategy for the online training to be used when launched. High Working
Task 7: Outreach to/ visit departments in the division to introduce the training, the rationale for it, and how to use it. Disseminate information to directors on course and adding student workers. High Not started
Task 8: Launch the training across the division.  High Not started

 

GOAL #2: Create a webpage to share available DEI opportunities across the division, including a resource library, live trainings, and asynchronous trainings.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Explore/inventory prior and current DEI-related training and development offered in the division to create a list of previous and current programs and initiatives. Medium Completed
Task 2: Collaborate with the Professional Development Committee to utilize divisional professional development assessment data. High Completed
Task 3: Create an online library of resources (to include a variety of mediums) to be shared widely across the Division via the webpage. High Working
Task 4: Determine a sustainable strategy for updating and sharing content in the online DEI library. Medium Working
Task 5: Work with the professional development committee to plan a live training on a DEI-related topic for professionals in Student Life.  High Pause
Task 5: Work with the Division of Student Life communications to build the webpage. High Working

Updated May 17, 2023.

Cultural Change

Subcommittee Project Leads: Ryan Kwapniowski, Chair

Subcommittee Project Team: Hope Sweeney, Kesha Hilson, Scott Walter, and Claire Schoenfeld (student rep)

Goal #1: Create and educate student organizations and Student Life departments on inclusive programming practices through the Inclusive Programming Guide resource.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Review and make necessary changes to Inclusive Programming Guide. High

Working
Task 2: Design and brand pdf resource document to be shared with student organizations and departments. High Working
Task 3: List applicable places and spaces to distribute and train staff members and students on the content of the Inclusive Programming Guide. Moderate Working
Task 4: Partner with Student Life departments to facilitate event planning workshops (SEAL Workshops, Student Organization trainings) to share Inclusive Programming Guide to groups planning events during the spring 2023 semester. Moderate Working
Task 5: Develop a feedback loop for the number of visitors to the pdf website and overall usage of the document in planning events. Moderate Pause

 

GOAL #2: Partner with Student Life departments to recruit and sponsor a minimum of one student and one faculty/staff IGD group to be trained in Summer/Fall 2023 term to create new levels of understanding, relating, and action among faculty/staff and students.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Meet with Global Initatives to understand IGD model at Miami and opportunity for collaboration.
Task 2: Audit and identify current trained IGD facilitators staff members from Student Life
Task 3: Secure funding source for training.
Task 4: Recruit 12-15 student life staff members interested in becoming IGD faciliators.
Task 5: Reconnect with Global Initiatives to clarify student and staff level schedule, goals and availability of facilitators, and set up training schedule and timeline in Summer 2023.
Task 5: Following completion of training, connect with trained faciliation staff to discuss expectations and identify opportunities to engage students.

 

GOAL #3: Create a culture of community, feedback, and support for students.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Assess space usage for support spaces identified from the 2021-22 Action Plan. High Working
Task 2: Market existing and new support spaces to students and staff as identified from the 2021-22 Action Plan. Moderate Pause
Task 3: Provide opportunities for students to speak openly and offer feedback (gaps, challenges, etc.). Moderate Pause
Task 4: Create partnership with Academic Affairs to share community resources and learning opportunities from student examples and feedback. Low Pause
Task 4: Develop "you shared, we listened" campaign directed at answers students feedback and concerns. Moderate Pause
Task 5: Work in partnership with OIDI to create a space for resources created and gathered can be stored, revised, updated, and shared out. Low

Updated Feb. 21, 2024.

Past Plans

2021-2022

Education and Training

Subcommittee Project Leads: Dan Darkow, Chair

Subcommittee Project Team: Leslie Haxby McNeill, Hannah Muldoon-Davis, Claire Schoenfeld, and Ghada Mahdi

Goal #1: Develop a catalog of supplementary training for student assistants in Student Life.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Determine learning outcomes High Completed 11/2/21 11/30/21
Task 2: Determine structure High Completed 11/16/21 11/30/21
Task 3: Brainstorm content ideas High Working 11/30/21 1/30/22
Task 4: Determine content High Working 11/30/21 4/1/22
Task 5: Collect/build content High Working 4/15/22 8/5/22
Task 6: Develop implementation strategy High Not started 8/8/22 8/12/22
Task 7: Disseminate information to directors on course and adding student assistants High Not started 8/15/22 8/19/22

 

GOAL #2: Advise divisional offices on aligning office initiatives and programs with Student Life Values Statement.
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Review Student Life values statement High Completed 10/19/21 11/2/21
Task 2: Speak with divisional leadership about incorporating the values statement review/alignment into existing divisional processes High Completed 10/20/21 12/5/21
Task 3: Develop facilitation guide for professional staff to examine their office practices and provide a status update in the form of the annual report High Completed 1/10/22 1/31/22
Task 4: Submit facilitation guide to divisional leadership for review/approval High Completed 2/1/22 4/29/22

Updated on June 8, 2022.

Systems

Subcommittee Project Lead(s): Christina Carrubba-Whetstine

Subcommittee Project Team: Kristen Edwards, Alex Butterfield, Ryan Kwapniowski, Jonathan James, Alyssa Westberry, and Dave Tran

GOAL #1: Evaluate and make recommendations for how Student Life employees enter and advance within the Miami University community with regards to DEI
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Audit Student Life onboarding processes and expectations for new professional and graduate employees High Completed 10/9/20 1/31/21
Task 2: Partner with Miami Online staff to create a Canvas site to house a training/certification portal with both basic onboarding trainings and advancement opportunities High Completed 3/4/21 5/11/21
Task 3: Work with Education/Training team and Professional Development divisional committee to identify standard or desired onboarding processes and training around DEI topics High Paused 3/8/21
Task 4: Draft proposal for divisional leadership including mock Canvas site, training resources, ownership structure, and accountability measures High Completed 5/1/21 Summer 2021
Task 5: Amend and modify proposal and Canvas site to reflect feedback from leadership team High Working 10/21/21
Task 6: Get in front of the divisional leadership team High Working 10/29/21
Task 7: Develop a launch protocol including soliciting buy in and education about the structure throughout the division High Working 1/3/22

 

GOAL #2: Evaluate and expand the DEI Audit process for the Division of Student Life
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Evaluate current DEI Audit instructions and structure High Working 10/15/21
Task 2: Research additional principles and formats for DEI Audits across the profession High Working 10/15/21
Task 3: Meet with assessment group to discuss how DEI audit could fit into annual report process Pause
Task 4: Develop a multi-year DEI audit process proposal to be submitted to Student Life leadership High Working 1/3/22

 

GOAL #3: Solicit student voice regarding university systems that are 'friction' points
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Define university systems, develop list of potential student facing systems
Task 2: Develop assessment/focus group protocol

Updated on June 8, 2022

Resources

Subcommittee Project Lead: Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh

Subcommittee Project Team: John Ward, Scott Walter, Tiffany Harrison, Asia Flores, Hannah Muldoon-Davis

GOAL #1: Review campus spaces for community, feedback, and support of students
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Identify existing support spaces on campus for underrepresented student populations or varied community needs High Completed 9/21/21 10/19/21
Task 2: Identify areas that we need to create or what areas need to be improved High Working 11/2/21 11/16/21
Task 3: Assess if existing spaces are representative of the student population High Working 11/2/21 11/16/21
Task 4: Market existing and new spaces to students, faculty, and staff High Pause 11/5/21 12/10/21
Task 5: Provide opportunities for students to speak openly and offer DEI feedback (gaps, challenges, etc.) High Working 9/21/21 2/15/22

 

GOAL #2: Identify and analyze DEI budgeting and initiatives in all areas of Student Life
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Complete a Student Life DEI audit of budgets and initiatives Moderate Pause 12/10/21 2/8/22
Task 2: Give an opportunity for Directors to edit their DEI Action Plan Moderate Pause 2/8/21 2/22/22
Task 3: Review the DEI work added to University Key Performance Indicators Moderate Pause 12/10/21 1/25/22
Task 4: Assess divisional spending on DEI efforts Moderate Pause 10/1/21 12/1/22
Task 5: Provide support to areas within Student Life to help achieve goals and provide DEI efforts Moderate Working 1/25/22 2/8/22
Task 6: Consider additional resources to be added to Miami's diversity website in collaboration with Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion Moderate Pause 11/16/21 12/14/21

 

GOAL #3: Create and distribute an Inclusive Programming Guide (IPG)
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Determine initial partners for identification of content needs High Completed 10/1/21 11/1/21
Task 2: Meet with and clarify roles of all partners and applicable deadlines for a spring 2022 draft

High

 Working 10/1/21 11/1/21
Task 3: List applicable places and spaces to distribute and train students on the content of the IPG Moderate Working 11/1/21 2/1/22
Task 4: List applicable places and spaces to distribute and train students on the content of the IPG Moderate Pause 11/1/21 2/21/22
Task 5: Develop a feedback loop for the number of visitors to the pdf website and overall usage of the document in planning events Moderate Pause 2/1/22 2/28/22

Updated on February 28, 2022

2020-2021

Education and Training

Subcommittee Project Leads: Dan Darkow, Chair

Subcommittee Project Team: Leslie Haxby McNeill, Hannah Muldoon-Davis, Tyra Smith, Jose Jacobo, Claire Schoenfeld, and Mark Pontious

Goal #1: Develop peer-based education training programs
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Review other institutions' peer-based education programs High Completed
Task 2: Gather input from subcommittee/Action Team on program High Completed
Task 2.1: Discuss peer education program with partner offices High Completed
Task 3: Ownership of peer education program and proposal transferred to Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion (CSDI) High Completed
Task 4: Provide consultation on proposal phase with CSDI High Working 12/1/20 5/15/21
Task 5: Consult with CSDI on the implementation of training materials High Ongoing

 

GOAL #2: Create Student Life DEI values and goals statement to guide learning experiences across the division
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Review examples of values/goals/outcomes at other institutions High Completed
Task 2: Gather input from DEI Action Team and other Student Life sources regarding values/focus areas High Completed
Task 3: Draft list of values/outcomes High Completed
Task 4: Gather/incorporate feedback on drafted content High Completed
Task 5: Make the document official High Completed
Task 6: Publicize the document (e.g. Student Life websites)

High

 Completed
Task 7: Advise divisional offices on aligning training opportunities with values/outcomes. High Working 5/1/21

 

GOAL #3: Outline a "map" of student DEI learning experiences/opportunities
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Draft list of current programs/efforts High Completed
Task 2: Benchmark similar content from other institutions High Completed
Task 3: Report/discuss with DEI Action Team and Student Life partners High Completed

 

GOAL #4: Create and Implement DEI learning/professional development opportunities for Divisional staff
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Benchmark similar content from other institutions Medium Completed
Task 2 Identify interest in scheduled recurring DEI professional development Medium Completed
Task 3: Identify appropriate space for DEI professional development implementation Medium Completed
Task 4: Identify topics of interest for spring 2021

Medium

 Completed
Task 5: Curate relevant resources in different mediums on each topic

Medium

 Completed
Task 6: Implement professional development sessions by Divisional Professional Development committee Medium Completed

Updated on April 22, 2021

 

Systems

Subcommittee Project Lead(s): Christina Carrubba-Whetstine

Subcommittee Project Team: Kristen Edwards, Alex Butterfield, Inaara Ladha, and Carlos Rodriguez

GOAL #1: Evaluate and make recommendations for how Student Life employees enter and advance within the Miami University community with regards to DEI
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Audit Student Life onboarding processes and DEI expectations for new professional and graduate employees High Completed 10/9/20 1/31/21
Task 2: Partner with Miami Online staff to create a Canvas site to house a training/certification portal with both basic onboarding trainings and advancement opportunities High Working 3/4/21
Task 3: Work with Education/Training team and Professional Development divisional committee to identify standard or desired onboarding processes and training around DEI topics High Working 3/8/21
Task 4: Create an ownership structure for the Canvas site and develop a plan for holding employees accountable for completion High Pause
Task 5: Draft proposal for divisional leadership including mock Canvas site, training resources, ownership structure, and accountability measures High Working 5/1/21
Task 6: Upon approval, launch the site and announce to stakeholders High Pause

 

GOAL #2: Scaffolding students through bias reporting process
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Draft a support model for student bias reporting process High Completed 9/2/20 9/21/20
Task 2: Team review of draft High Completed 9/21/20 10/16/20
Task 3: Share proposed draft with Dean of Students to solicit feedback and suggestions High Completed 10/20/20 11/6/20
Task 4: Finalize support model High Completed 11/6/20 11/20/20
Task 5: Meet with campus partners High Working 11/6/20 2/28/21
Task 6: Develop marketing and communication materials High Working 11/20/20 4/30/21
Task 7: Develop training materials High Working 11/20/20 7/31/21
Task 8: Recruit and train staff volunteers High Working 1/11/21 7/31/21
Task 9: Communication push (i.e. newsletters, website, social media) High Working 4/1/21 08/31/21
Task 10: Launch support model for students High Pause 8/23/21

 

GOAL #3: Explore and Research Innovative Ideas about Higher Education Systems that are DEI focused
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Explore current research on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at institutions of higher education with a systems focus Low Working 10/09/20
Task 2: Use research to develop new and additional goals to help transform Miami University systems related to DEI Low

 

GOAL #4: In collaboration with Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, make bias incident reporting more transparent
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Create a clear flow-chart of the various bias reporting processes High Completed
Task 2: Evaluate entry point (Miami website) into bias reporting High Completed
Task 3: Benchmark with other institutions' processes High Working 10/05/20 4/30/21
Task 4: Review previously collected student input on the current process High Completed 9/11/20 10/09/20
Task 5: Develop a statement to include on syllabi about bias reporting High Working 9/22/20 4/30/21
Task 6: Develop a plan for reporting out to the community, ultimately leading to a dashboard Medium Pause

Updated on November 4, 2021

Communication

Subcommittee Project Leads: Tiffany Harrison and Daisy Rodriguez

Subcommittee Project Team: Andy Obregon, Jose Jacobo, Jasmine Floyd, and Melati Devi

GOAL #1: Craft timely, appropriate and transparent responses to campus-wide updates & world news
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Create a working document to draft message with subcommittee High Ongoing 9/2/20 9/8/20
Task 2: Finalize text & share with DEI Action Team co-chairs High Working 9/8/20 9/11/20
Task 3: Make edits and send for approval by the VP of Student Life High Working 9/8/20 9/11/20
Task 4: Make edits and send back to subcommittee for final thoughts High Working 9/3/20 9/11/20
Task 5: Create graphics for social media
Task 6: Create sample text for social media, newsletters, websites, etc.

 

GOAL #2: Provide a communication request form for the DEI Action Team
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: View Student Life Communications example Moderate Working 9/2/20
Task 2: Draft form High Working 10/28/20
Task 3: Share with Action Team High Working 11/03/20
Task 4: Monitor form for new submissions Moderate Working

 

GOAL #3: Create social media campaign/content calendar
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Fill out idea document Moderate Working 9/3/20
Task 2: Research content calendar templates Moderate Working 9/3/20
Task 3: Schedule content
Task 4: Create content
Task 5: Create graphics
Task 6: Create social media toolkits
Task 7: Create Asana template and share with team High Working 10/23/20

 

GOAL #4: Audit Division of Student Life Department Websites
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Members sign up for departments to audit Low Working 9/2/20 10/15/20
Task 2: Look for excessive use of acronyms, gendered language, outdated photos and inaccessible information Low Working
Task 3: Look for (lack of) DEI resources/statements Low Working

Updated on October 29, 2020

Resources

Subcommittee Project Lead: Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh

Subcommittee Project Team: Tiffany Harrison, Hannah Muldoon-Davis, Scott Walter, John Ward

GOAL #1: Evaluate and develop support spaces for students and staff
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Identify existing support spaces on campus High Pause
Task 2: Identify areas that we need to create or what areas need to be improved High Pause
Task 3: Assess if existing spaces are representative of Miami's population High Pause
Task 4: Market existing and new spaces to students and staff High Pause
Task 5: Create and maintain staff affinity groups within Student Life High Completed 9/16/20 10/23/20
Task 6: Provide opportunities for students to speak openly and offer feedback (gaps, challenges, etc.) High Pause

 

GOAL #2: Identify, create, and assess DEI resources in all areas of Student Life
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Complete a Student Life DEI Audit High Working
Task 2: Give an opportunity to Directors to edit their DEI Action Plan Moderate Working
Task 3: Add DEI work to university Key Performance Indicators        
Task 4: Assess divisional spending on DEI efforts High In Progress    
Task 5: Provide support to areas within Student Life to help achieve goals and provide DEI efforts High Working    
Task 6: Create a diversity resources webpage on Miami's website in collaboration with Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion Moderate Completed    
Task 7: Benchmark other institutions' resources Low Pause    

 

GOAL #3: Community care within Division of Student Life and City of Oxford ~ starting at "home base"
Action Priority Status Start End
Task 1: Assess how staff feel about "care" within Student Life High Pause
Task 2: Create an action plan to address issues brought up during Task 1

Moderate

 Pause
Task 3: Enact the action plan to shift culture surrounding community care of professionals in Student Life Moderate Pause
Task 4: Work with City of Oxford to identify affinity spaces in town for students, faculty, and staff Moderate Pause
Task 5: Identify areas in the City of Oxford for affordable housing and other resources for faculty and staff who want to live in Oxford Moderate Pause

Updated on November 4, 2021