Dear SCU Community:

The current Olympic games provide a powerful reminder about the interconnectedness of our global community. It is with this spirit of community that we are preparing for the start of the academic year. 

While we still have more than a month until the start of the Fall quarter, lots of preparations are underway throughout campus. Our colleagues at the Law School will be starting their academic term in a few weeks. In addition, we will have student athletes beginning their competitions before the start of the quarter, student leaders involved in CF Formation and students returning for LEAD week hosted by the LEAD Scholars program.

Preparation and Planning for Election 2024

As we prepare for the formal start of the U.S. Presidential election this upcoming November, Inclusive Excellence is collaborating within the larger effort coordinated by the Office for Student Life. To this end, Inclusive Excellence is seeking campus partners interested in collaborating on educational programming and dialogue opportunities focused on promoting a democracy and pluralistic society for the SCU community. If your area is interested in partnering on this programming initiative, please reach out to inclusiveexcellence@scu.edu. 

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UNIT UPDATES

I. Inclusive Excellence Division

• We are excited for the incoming Class of 2028, and we appreciated the opportunity to engage with both students and their families during the recently completed Orientation sessions.

II. LEAD Scholars Program

• The LEAD Scholars Program was excited to welcome new first-generation students during July Orientation sessions and will hold additional information sessions throughout August to help prepare students for the start of school!

III. Office of Accessible Education (OAE)

• As SCU rolls into summer, the OAE wants to remind everyone that we are still actively helping students with accommodations for summer courses as well as proctoring tests for those courses. If you have not yet, please sign into your portal and request your accommodations for any classes you are currently taking. Summer quarters go extremely quick and we don't want anyone to be behind. 
• If you feel that you need accommodations for this upcoming school year, please register with our department at https://www.scu.edu/oae/

IV. Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

• The Executive Committee, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, unanimously the two new policies, including:
  • Sex-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
  • Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy (Other than Sex-Based)
• Both policies are approved with an August 1, 2024 effective date and can be accessed at: https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policy/

V. Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)

• Postings for Tenure Track positions for the 2025-2026 academic year are becoming available. We encourage colleagues to review the postings and to share with interested colleagues throughout your networks. Latest postings can be found:  https://www.scu.edu/hr/careers/
• SpeakOut Institute – we had nearly 30 faculty and staff participate in the 2-day virtual institute sponsored by the SpeakOut Institute. This was the fifth straight year that we have been able to provide this opportunity for faculty and staff.

VI. Office for Multicultural Learning (OML)

• LGBTQ+ Scholarships at SCU: Each year, the RRC works with the Development and Financial Aid Offices to allocate scholarships to students in the LGBTQ+ community. The application for the 2024-2025 scholarships have been launched. Share with your units and students!

• SCU Marches in Silicon Valley Pride Parade!  Santa Clara University community members and Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) will be marching in this year’s Silicon Valley Pride Parade! This year's Get Loud Parade will be held on  August 25 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in Downtown San Jose.
  • Sign up and join us to help represent Santa Clara University and to support our LGBTQ+ community. We also encourage you to wear colorful attire to the parade and show off your Pride best. 

• OML/RRC Summer Hours: For the month of August, OML office will be open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm. The RRC is closed for August unless specifically coordinated with a staff member. OML/RRC professional staff can be reached at OML@scu.edu for questions or appointments.
• DEI Training and Workshops: Are there topics related to identity, culture, and inclusion that your SCU unit could further explore? What aspects of LGBTQ+ identity are unfamiliar but relevant to your work? What exactly is racial justice and equity? OML/RRC staff lead DEI workshops, training and other development opportunities for the SCU community. Email OML@scu.edu to schedule a consultation!

VII.  Office of the University Ombuds

• The University Ombuds is a confidential, informal, independent and impartial communication resource for faculty and staff. The Ombuds provides a confidential, no-obligation, space to discuss conflict and other communication challenges, unpack issues, identify goals, and explore options to resolve the issues. In addition, the ombuds may assist with communication coaching to navigate interpersonal episodes in productive and healthy ways; mediation between parties in need of dialogue; and facilitation for groups to explore questions and challenges in-depth.
  
• If you would a confidential, no-obligation consultation with the Ombuds, contact the Office of the Ombuds at ombuds@scu.edu; dgalan@scu.edu; 408-551-3542

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DEI RESOURCES FROM THE LIBRARY

The library is showcasing a book display titled 'Summer Fun!' for July and August. This display features engaging reads from our popular collection designed for your summer enjoyment. Whether you’re traveling, working, or simply relaxing, the SCU Library invites you in to explore our recreational popular reading section. Find your next great summer read and let the adventures begin!

*To access the SCU library resources off-campus you must login with SCU username and password. 

eBook Recommendations:

Midnight Train to Prague

Description: In 1927, as Natalia Faber travels from Berlin to Prague with her mother, their train is delayed in Saxon Switzerland. In the brief time the train is idle, Natalia learns the truth about her father and meets a remarkable woman named Dr. Magdalena Schaefferová, whose family will become a significant part of her future. - Provided by Publisher 

Ways and Means  

Description: Alistair McCabe comes to New York with a plan. Young, handsome, intelligent, and gay, he hopes to escape his Rust Belt poverty and give his mother a better life by pursuing a career in high finance. But by the spring of 2016, Alistair’s plan has come undone: His fantasy banking job has eluded him, he’s mired in student debt, and in his desperation he’s gone to work for an enigmatic billionaire whose ambitions turn out to be far darker than Alistair could have imagined. By the time Alistair uncovers his employer’s secret, his life is in danger and he’s forced to go on the run.

Land of Fatimah 

Description: Four strong women: Anjali, an Indo-Canadian single mother who eagerly accepts an African posting with her non-profit organization; Grace, her dedicated but dominating colleague, who opposes her; Fatimah, a farmer ousted from her home and fertile farmland, whom Anjali befriends; and Mary, Anjali’s kindly maid, who must secure the future of her son, Gabriel. In Land for Fatimah, Anjali involves herself in Fatimah’s quest to find new land for her scattered community, and is thrown into a web of intrigue that upturns her safe, orderly world. Capturing the warmth and vitality of Africa, illuminating everyday heroism, the novel explores expat life, the forced displacement of the poor and the complexities of development.

Streaming Media Recommendations: 

Kanopy A streaming video service containing thousands of videos from leading producers around the world, including PBS, BBC, California Newsreel, A&E, and more. 

Richard Simmons: Workout videos

Description: As Richard says: "SWEATIN' TO THE OLDIES is the original, and it's still the best way to get your heart pounding and your blood pumping! Sing along to these great songs as you sweat your way to a healthier and happier you. Now let's work out!! --  Richard Simmons

The Film Library: A Kanopy Podcast (new*)

Description: Dive into the rich world of cinema with THE FILM LIBRARY, a brand-new podcast presented by Kanopy. Join hosts Alonso Duralde and Daniel Thompson as they explore the diverse universe of film and filmmaking. Each episode features a unique guest from various corners of the industry offering viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the art and craft of film.

Summer challenge: Explore a collection of Silent Films 

Music Online: Contemporary World Music

An online listening service containing contemporary music from every continent. Included are such genres as reggae, calypso, neo-traditional, world fusion, Bollywood, as well as traditional music such as Indian classical, flamenco, klezmer, zydeco, and more. Updated continuously.

Summer Music: Best of Latin America 

Remember to Chat with a Librarian Librarians are available 24/7!

*If you wish to collaborate with the POP Committee on an upcoming library display for a heritage month or theme. Please fill out the form. 

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CAMPUS DIVERSITY CALENDAR

The Inclusive Excellence Division is committed to expanding awareness of the different diversity-related programming taking place on-campus. For those that use the Live-Whale Calendar, you can use the “diversity” tag to ensure that events will appear on the Diversity calendar on the Inclusive Excellence website.  You can also send your program information to inclusiveexcellence@scu.edu.