Inclusive Excellence Newsletter - March 2024
Dear SCU Community:
As the month of March begins, we take a moment to reflect on what has been active time within the SCU community. It was great to connect with families during Family Weekend and witness SCU’s campus spirit in action from the engaging programs, athletic events and cultural celebrations.
We want to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in and helped to coordinate SCU's Black History month events. From the Igwebuike Book club reading A Taste of Power, the engagement with the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, the film screening and discussion of the Last Black Man in San Francisco, the fireside chat with Elaine Brown, the poetry of Langston Hughes set to music, to the special luncheon Black History 24-7-365 with Freddie E. Taylor—the entire month was accented with powerful experiences.
As we move into the month of March we kickoff our celebration of Women’s History Month, a series of events have been planned— the latest programs can be found here.
Focused Community Conversations
We recognize that many of our community members continue to be impacted by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To this end, we are coordinating a series of Focused Community Conversations to engage the SCU community. Sessions will be held primarily via zoom with one session in-person and are open for SCU students, faculty and staff.
- Monday, March 4th from 3:00pm - 4:00pm via Zoom - Register
- Thursday, March 7th from 4:00pm - 5:00pm via Zoom - Register
- Monday, March 11th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm via Zoom - Register
- Tuesday, March 12th from 11:30am - 1:00pm in Person in the CA Mission Room - RSVP
UNIT UPDATES
I. Inclusive Excellence Division
- A special thank you to the SCU Community for their engagement with Black History Month and we are excited about the start of Women’s History month.
- We are pleased to announce that a series of events will be held at the start of the Spring quarter during the first two weeks to help honor and celebrate the efforts of Cesar Chavez (March 31) and Dolores Huerta (April 10). Details are being finalized and we hope to have the website ready by Spring Break.
II. LEAD Scholars Program
- In March, the LEAD Scholars Program will host Grad School Week with sessions for the undergraduate first-generation college students in LEAD to learn more about SCU’s graduate programs including those in the School of Education, Counseling and Psychology, and the Leavey School of Business.
- February was a busy month for the LEAD Scholars Program as we hosted a range of events including our signature, LEAD Symposium and LEAD Family Festival.
- During the LEAD Symposium on February 21st, 105 first-year LEAD Scholars presented research they are conducting in their LEAD English courses and further expanded their exploration of the topics through conversations with audience members. Congratulations to our first-year students and thank you to all who joined us!
- Held during Family Weekend on February 24th, our LEAD Family Festival welcomed 600 LEAD students, alumni, family and friends to enjoy live music, Folklorico dancing, food trucks, Loteria (Mexican bingo), a petting zoo, a reading of The ABCs of Lowriding by Ricardo Cortez, 07, and much more!
- On February 16th, we hosted a LEAD Networking Night. Almost 100 students connected with over 15 professionals through networking bingo, after learning networking tips from Tim Cabral, BA ‘89, MBA ‘95.
- A small group of LEAD Scholars were able to participate in Goat Yoga in Half Moon Bay, an event co-sponsored with the student organization, Into the Wild.
- In February, we also hosted a Tax Filing information session open to all first-generation and/limited-income students as part of our FLI Forward Initiative.
III. Multicultural Center (MCC)
- Inaugural collaboration between ASG and MCC: the Winter Diversity Forum. The Diversity Forum will take place on Monday of Week 9, from 6-8 PM, at Benson's California Mission Room.
- The Diversity Forum aims to provide a space for sharing updates on various important topics, including club funding at a CSO and RSO level, supporting OAE in drafting plans to make more buildings on campus ADA accessible, and more. Additionally, we aspire to facilitate meaningful conversations about future steps, allowing student leaders to exchange firsthand experiences, challenges, and successes, encountered throughout their journeys in these roles. Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP: https://forms.gle/BJ4SwfPGyZVjG7Z38.
- Global Village is set to be hosted on Saturday, April 13th! This year's theme is "Crossroads - Where Culture and Identity Meet." It will be held on Alameda Lawn from 12 pm - 4 pm. Attendees can expect to see performances from various clubs on campus, purchase food from various MCC Clubs, and buy exclusive Global Village merchandise.
IV. Office of Accessible Education (OAE)
- Hello from the OAE, It's almost time for finals!!
- Important things to remember: All final exam requests need to be in no later than March 11th. We get very busy and have limited space so seats fill up quickly!!
- If you have not requested your accommodations, please make sure to do so as soon as possible as scheduling exams cannot happen until that has been completed.
V. Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
- Please do not hesitate to contact the EO/Title IX office with any questions, to learn about the resolution/investigation process, or to access supportive measures. We address all forms of alleged protected class discrimination (e.g., race, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.)
- We take anonymous complaints. Visit our website.
- Please contact the office to ask for a presentation or discussion with your student group or office.
VI. Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)
- Religious Observances: With the start of Lent, we will be approaching different religious observances throughout the months of March and April. For faculty and students, please note that Ramadan starts during Week #10 of this quarter (March 10-April 8). In addition, Passover will take place in the Spring quarter (April 22 - April 30). Please be mindful of the needs of students and others in the community during this time. Additional information will be via email to the university community.
- Save the Date for the 2nd Annual Native American Symposium on Friday, May 2, 2024 and the 4th Annual SCU PowWow for Saturday, May 4, 2024 on the St. Ignatian Lawn.
VII. Office for Multicultural Learning (OML)
- International Women’s Day Luncheon: OML is honoring SCU women, femme, intersex, nonbinary, gender non-conforming folks during International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8. This one hour event for 40 people will include lunch (lunch is provided), a warm and uplifting atmosphere, and care packages! More details will be shared with campus soon.
-
- Friday, March 8, 2024
- 12-1pm in the Nobili Dining Room
- Word on the Street Podcast: Check out the first episode of Word on the Street: An OML/RRC Podcast. In this podcast of hosts Shelly (She/Her) and Alex (He/Him) delve into the topic of why there's a shortage of research on women in medicine. They explore the broader issue of gender inequalities that women encounter in everyday life. Find the episode on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and anywhere you listen to podcasts!
- Empowering Her-story: Intersectional Panel & Networking Opportunity: Join us in celebrating Women's History Month through the recognition of our very own faculty and staff's research and experiences! You'll have the opportunity to not only hear their advice, but get to know the resources available to you on campus like Women in Business, SHPE-tinas, and more! Can't wait to see you!
-
- Wednesday, March 13, 2024
- 5 - 7 pm in the California Mission Room, Benson
VIII. University Ombuds
- The Ombuds seeks to foster a sense of care for one another grounded on recognizing ourselves as diverse individuals interconnected in this community and with a shared responsibility for doing our best to communicate ways that build compassion, dignity, commitment, and service.
- The University Ombuds provides multipartial, informal and confidential communication support services to faculty and staff. The ombuds assists visitors by listening and helping to clarify goals, identify issues and to explore options when addressing communication challenges, including conflict. Visitors can explore interpersonal tools to navigate challenging situations and procure mediation and facilitation services to promote dialogue, dignity, and respect among participants.
- If you would like to set a confidential meeting with the ombuds to explore your situation, contact the Office of the Ombuds at ombuds@scu.edu; 408-551-3542.
DEI RESOURCES FROM LIBRARY
The library is celebrating Women's History Month with a book display in collaboration with Together for Ladies of Color and Hermanas Unidas. The display highlights women authors and stories. A very special thanks to both student groups for selecting titles for the display and providing design inspiration.
*To access the SCU library resources you must login with SCU username and password.
eBook Recommendations
Voices of American Women's History from Reconstruction to the Present : Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life
Description: This collection of historical and contemporary writing by women argues that, in addition to gender, identity markers such as race, class, religion, citizenship, sexuality, and marital status have influenced women's lives in the United States for more than 200 years. - Provided by Publisher
Reshaping Women's History : Voices of Nontraditional Women Historians
Description: Autobiographical essays by eighteen accomplished scholar-activists who persevered through poverty or abuse, medical malpractice or family disownment, civil war or genocide. As they illuminate their own unique circumstances, the authors also address issues all-too-familiar to women in the academy: financial instability, the need for mentors, explaining gaps in resumes caused by outside events, and coping with gendered family demands, biases, and expectations - Provided by Publisher
Thumbnail Fearless women : feminist patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé
Description: The story of women who dared to take destiny into their own hands. They were feminists and antifeminists, activists and homemakers, victims of abuse and pathbreaking professionals. Inspired by the nation's ideals and fueled by an unshakeable sense of right and wrong, they wouldn't take no for an answer. - Provided by Publisher.
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.
Music & Performing Arts: A comprehensive online resource that cross-searches and gives access to nearly 8 million music tracks in the following streaming music databases: American Song, Classical Music Library, Contemporary World Music, Jazz Music Library, and Smithsonian Global Sound. Updated continuously
"Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter Be!" - Songs of the Suffragettes Click here for album details
SPOTLIGHT: USAA’s Annual Migration Gala
USAA's Annual Migration Gala: Solidarity through Storytelling is taking place on Saturday March 2, 2024 from 6pm - 9pm at the Locatelli Student Activity Center. Student tickets: $15.80; Non-Student tickets: $30.80: Guest tables: $260 (ten seats). *For guest table purchases, please reach out to usaa@scu.edu. Purchase your tickets here!
This annual gala will host a night of community and celebration as we highlight the various stories of migration within and beyond our Santa Clara community. During this event, we’ll cultivate a space of solidarity as we bear witness to different stories surrounding the migrant experience as told by Santa Clara University students, community members, and a keynote speech by local poet and activist, Deyci Carrillo Lopez. As a fundraiser, all proceeds will go to the Cabrini Fund, an emergency fund for undocumented students at Santa Clara University.
There are also free student tickets available for those who would like to join, but for whom cost may be a concern. Interested students can contact USAA at usaa@scu.edu.
Share your Migration Story
We invite you to share your story via any form of storytelling (whether it be poetry, prose, short stories, art, etc.) that speaks on migration and the migrant experience. The stories collected will be displayed at the Gala tables and walls so that attendees can read, learn, and be inspired. Those submitting stories will have the choice to do so anonymously. Stories from students, faculty and staff, and general SCU community members are welcome. Please submit your story here.
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.
