Dear Campus Community,
The Office of Campus Climate and Compliance is committed to providing programming that aims to strengthen UC Merced’s campus climate and cultivate an environment where all students, staff and faculty members are respected, included and valued.
The Office of Campus Climate, in collaboration with other groups across campus, hosts ongoing campus conversations and other initiatives throughout the year to discuss the needs of our community and dialogue about the broader national climate.
Some of the events planned for the remainder of the 2017-18 academic year include:
Understanding Cross-Cultural Communication and Diversity in Conflict Modes — 1-4 p.m. Nov. 20
Everyday interactions are cross-cultural experiences. This session will explore the impact culture and social identities have on how we communicate across cultural lines (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, generation).
Unpacking Oppression Workshop and Understanding Diversity and Social Justice — 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 21
This presentation will be led by Mikael Villalobos, Ed.D., who serves as associate chief diversity officer in UC Davis’s Office of Campus Community Relations. Participants will explore the cultural barriers that perpetuate oppression at the institutional level. The course provides an opportunity to increase awareness regarding power and privilege with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus environment. Participants will also learn skills to become allies for social equity.
“The Art of Inclusive Communication” Workshop — Nov. 28
This pilot program is presented by the National Conflict Resolution Center. Students, staff and faculty will learn communication skills, how to acknowledge their differences and how to find common ground with one another.
Chancellor’s Dialogue on Diversity and Interdisciplinarity — Dec. 4
UCLA’s Chief Diversity Officer and Law Professor Jerry Kang will speak at this recurring dialogue series.
Crucial Conversations Workshop — Dec. 5, 12 and 18
Sponsored by Human Resources, the Office of Campus Climate and the University Ombuds, Crucial Conversations Training teaches skills for communicating when the stakes are high, opinions vary and emotions run strong.
Diversity Awareness Two-Day Workshop — Jan. 4 and 5
Sponsored by the Office of Campus Climate, University Ombuds, Social Justice Initiatives and Human Resources, this workshop uses a variety of experiential exercises to help participants identify and appreciate individual and collective differences and strengths, as well as explore their own knowledge, attitudes and experiences.
Chancellor’s Dialogue on Diversity and Interdisciplinarity — Feb. 13
UC Berkeley Dean and First Amendment and Constitutional Law Scholar Erwin Chemerinsky will discuss his latest book, “Free Speech on Campus.”
Another event for your consideration is the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance hosted by the Office of the Chancellor at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Dr. Lakireddy Auditorium. Activist Winona LaDuke will become the 11th recipient of this annual prize for dedicating her life to social change and working nationally and internationally on issues of justice, equity and the environment alongside indigenous communities.
We invite all of you to participate in enhancing UC Merced’s campus climate as a more equitable and inclusive place to study, research and work. Please watch for more information about each individual event, or go to diversity.ucmerced.edu. We hope you will take the opportunity to engage in dialogue and become an advocate for creating a positive campus climate.
Sincerely,
Luanna Putney
Associate Chancellor
De Acker
Director of Campus Climate
