Diversity initiatives
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) conducted eight workshops and events during this period with a total of 131 participants for all events combined. DEI sponsored the Racial Justice Deliberation event on March 29. DEI held four cultural competency workshops for faculty and staff, one for students and two in which community members were able to attend. DEI co-sponsored an employment workshop in conjunction with community organizations.
Multicultural Resource Center
This quarter, the Multicultural Resource Center focused on launching new initiatives that helped create cross-campus and community collaboration around the University’s Strategic Priority 3: Unite to foster a diverse and inclusive campus culture.
These initiatives included:
• Creating and hosting the Women’s Empowerment Brunch, an annual Women’s History Month celebration to honor the commitment and achievements of Binghamton University students, faculty, staff and local community partners. Some of this year’s speakers and honorees included Estacy Porter of Jewel in His Eyes, Inc.; Lisa Blitz of the Social Work Department; the Dean of Student’s CARE Team; and graduating seniors Onyx Ramirez and Sarah Saad.
• Launching Diversity Days in partnership with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Student Association. Diversity Days, an annual period to celebrate diversity and affirm our commitment to forging an equitable and inclusive campus environment, featured a keynote talk from Van Jones, International Fest+, the Gender Affirming Clothing Swap, a screening of the acclaimed Moonlight, Latin Weekend and a host of other workshops, trainings and events. The inaugural days were also sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs Divisional Diversity Committee, University Libraries, the Provost’s Office and the Cultural President’s Council.
• Working with the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Thurgood Marshall Pre-law Society to create “Unite, a Walk for Refugees” in partnership with the American Civic Association.
• Sponsoring in collaboration with Rainbow Pride Union and the Q Center to host the 22nd Annual Northeast LGBT Conference at Binghamton University, which featured talks from LGBT and human rights activists CeCe McDonald, Joshua Allen and Maurice Tomlinson.
• During this period, the MRC Translation and Interpretation Program translated 13 newsletters and 10 progress reports for local school districts we partner with.
• Continuing the successful partnership with Binghamton University Dining Services, The MRC promoted the Culture at Chenango Food Series to the campus community.
1. Feb. 21: African Diaspora Edition (co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, African Student Union and Uyai Nnua African Dance Team)
2. March 21: Caribbean Edition (co-sponsored by the Caribbean Student Association, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. andDiverse Cultural Excellence)
3. April 25: Latin American Fusion Edition (co-sponsored by the Latin American Student Union, Latino Greek Council, Gamma Sigma Zeta Fraternity, Inc., Quimbamba Latin Dance Team and Corazón de Dahlia)
Tom LaSarso, general manager of retail operations for Sodexo, reported favorable increases in sales during the 2016-2017 academic year during days the MRC-hosted Culture at Chenango series. Transactions on days MRC hosted events increased by 29 percent from September to April.
The Q Center
• The new Active Ally training was piloted late in the spring semester. The six-hour training is delivered in two sessions and replaces the Safe Zone training that was once offered through the Dean of Students Office. Eighteen faculty and staff members took the pilot training. This summer a number of faculty, staff and graduate students will receive training to become presenters so the program can be rolled out to the campus in the fall.
• The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was held Thursday, May 4. A mix of 25 undergraduate, master’s and PhD graduates registered to participate. Graduates received a certificate and a rainbow tassel to wear during University Commencement ceremonies.
• There were five new awards presented during the Lavender Graduation Ceremony to recognize outstanding contributions and service made by or on behalf of the LGBTQ community at Binghamton.
• Leaders of the Rainbow Pride Union are to be congratulated for hosting the 17th Annual Northeast LGBT Conference. Over 200 students from around the northeastern United States participated. Keynote speakers included Jamaican LGBTQ activist Maurice Tomlinson, transgender rights activist CeCe McDonald and abolitionist Joshua Allen.