Dear GRCC Community,
One of the many strengths of GRCC is the diversity of our students, faculty, staff, and greater community. The countless identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, viewpoints, and intersectionalities enrich the learning and working environment of GRCC everyday.
But, in order for each of us to thrive, every member of our community must be committed to creating a community where individuals feel emotionally and physically safe, valued, respected, and have a genuine sense of connection and belonging.
To advance this work at GRCC, I have asked Kate Kryger, associate professor of Biological Sciences, Sophia Brewer, associate professor in the Library and Learning Commons, and Lina Blair, director of Student Life and Conduct to serve as the leads of the ODEI Task Force.
The purpose of the ODEI Task Force is to facilitate the assessment of GRCC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion services and programs. Additionally, they will identify ways in which the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can support administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community partners to infuse ‘belonging’ into the everyday work of GRCC. They will do so by actively seeking feedback from our faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Specifically, their charge is the following:
- Create GRCC’s definition of equity.
- Revise the mission statement and goals of GRCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
- Update the position description for the chief equity and inclusion officer.
They will do this by:
- Gathering feedback.
- Analyzing and identifying ideas, themes, and feedback
- Drafting the equity definition, ODEI mission statement and goals, and the chief equity and inclusion officer position description.
- Share and rewrite these pieces.
- Finalize and publish the definition, mission statement, goals, and position description.
I want to ensure that this work is directly informed by the diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences of our campus and community members. Collectively, we will use the feedback to effectively support and advance our renewed DEI programs and services.
Please join us at one or more of the upcoming listening sessions:
Wednesday, April 5:
Staff Session: 10-11:30 a.m., ATC Room 120/122
Student Session: Noon-1:30 p.m., ATC Room 120/122
Faculty Session: 3-4:30 p.m., ATC Room 120/122
Community Session: 6-7:30 p.m., Sneden Hall Room 108
Friday, April 7:
General Session (Zoom): 10–11:30 am, https://grcc.zoom.us/j/91850462590
General Session: 2–3:30 p.m., ATC Room 120/122
Thursday, April 13:
General Session: 4–6 p.m., ATC Room 120/122
If you are unable to attend or have additional input, please complete this short Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2CD_8V3kLitNpIiDMNoQANgf4pvZtILzfmgk90SjfAEgCpQ/viewform?usp=sharing
Questions, feedback, and input can be emailed to: ODEI_Taskforce@grcc.edu
Again, I want to encourage everyone to participate in this process. Please share this with your fellow students, colleagues, and community partners who are invested in this work. Your input is valuable and necessary in shaping the future of our campus.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Lepper, Ph.D.
President
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