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FALL 2017 From the Executive Director
Dear Colleagues: Sincerely yours, Diversity and Inclusion Summit Last May, more than 200 faculty and staff took part in the second Diversity and Inclusion Summit, “Learn, Reflect, Engage.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Daryl G. Smith, senior research fellow and professor emerita of education and psychology at Claremont Graduate University, who spoke about the importance of building capacity to sustain diversity and inclusive excellence at an institution of higher learning. SAVE THE DATE: The next Diversity and Inclusion Summit, “One Community, Many Perspectives,” will take place on May 23, 2018, and will explore how building capacity includes providing the foundation and structure necessary to support and move diversity and inclusion forward at Boston College. Guided by the Jesuit principles, this year's Summit will focus on the multiple ways our community is building capacity to advance and sustain inclusive excellence at Boston College. Reflection and Dialogue Series Last fall, OID launched this initiative that allows faculty and staff the opportunity to engage in dialogue about national events that may have had a significant impact. In our efforts to continue to provide space for members of the Boston College community to come together in dialogue, we are offering two opportunities during the 2017̵18 academic year. The first will be “Jesuit Tips to Having Crucial Conversations about Diversity” on October 19, 2017. The discussion will be led by Jack Butler, S.J., Vice President for mission and ministry, and Joseph Appleyard, S.J. The second opportunity, featuring an initiative in the Woods College of Advancing Studies, will take place in the spring semester. Additional information about both programs can be found on the OID website. Living Out the Jesuit Mission: Diverse Perspectives Series In the 2016̵17 academic year, OID, in partnership with Campus Ministry, offered three programs that examined how employees of various backgrounds (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) and faith traditions incorporate the Jesuit tradition within their work at Boston College. “Celebrating the Global Jesuit Community” took place in November, “Women in the Catholic Church and Jesuit Higher Education,” was in February, and “The Jesuit Practice of Discernment in Addressing Injustice” took place in April. For the upcoming academic year, the series will begin with “Reflection of a Pilgrimage” on September 29, 2017. Please visit our website for more information. Cultural Competence Engagement Modules (CCEM) In the spring of 2016, 21 Boston College faculty, staff, and administrators participated in a six-part relaunch of the CCEM program. Incorporating the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), CCEM aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the perspectives that employees of diverse cultural backgrounds bring to the workplace as well as build skills for more effective cross-cultural communication. In response to the success of the revamped program, the Office for Institutional Diversity will offer CCEM on an ongoing basis beginning in spring, 2018. Additional information regarding CCEM and how to participate can be found on the OID website. University Affiliates Program Last fall, OID welcomed 14 employees to Boston College’s Affiliates Program, a year-long sequence of monthly seminars designed to prepare AHANA staff members for potential opportunities in executive, administrative, and managerial positions at the University while addressing critical themes in higher education. Since its inception in 1999, 171 University employees have completed the program. Middle-Eastern Employees and Allies Affinity Group—MEEA@BC We are pleased to welcome the Middle-Eastern Employees and Allies Affinity Group, which promotes the welfare and interests of BC’s Middle-Eastern employees, and advocates and supports the professional development and well-being of the BC Middle-Eastern community. For additional information regarding meetings and events, please contact co-chairs Noor Ibrahim or Sanaz Mohsen. Title IX/Harassment Online Training Since the inception of online training for the Boston College workforce in the summer of 2016, more than half of the faculty and staff have completed all components of the program. “The purpose of the courses is to learn how to recognize and prevent discriminatory harassment in educational institutions,” wrote Vice President for Human Resources David Trainor and Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley in a letter to faculty and staff. “They also provide insight about how to protect yourself and become aware of your conduct to prevent inadvertent harassment.” OID is working with the University’s vice presidents and deans to encourage 100 percent participation. Please address questions about the online courses to OID Associate Director Judy Ferres at 617–552–2947 or judy.ferres@bc.edu. ADA Reasonable Accommodation OID works to ensure a streamlined process for all faculty, staff, and student employees with disabilities to request reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), assuring that all requests are handled consistently while maintaining confidentiality. For a full description and a list of BC resources, visit OID’s Accessibility Resources web page. A presentation about the accommodation process and what supervisors and managers need to know will take place early in 2018. Registration information will be available on the Office of Employee Development website. Affirmative Action There has been much in the news recently about affirmative action and the way forward. Boston College fully complies with the letter and spirit of applicable laws, statutes, and regulations that govern equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, and veterans with disabilities. The University’s program identifies steps that will be undertaken to diversify its workforce and promote equal employment opportunity. For more information please contact the OID. Boston College Office for Institutional Diversity
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