November 2021

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING PROFESSIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENTS Take a look at some of the recent opportunities our pro staff are engaging in.

JANUARY STUDENT STAFF TRAINING IMPORTANT TRAINING DATES

“UNCOMFORTABLE” QUESTIONS We hope you have found time to continue your discussions around Emmanual Acho’s book from summer and training. But if you’re looking for a sign, here it is! Here are a few questions we encourage you to ask fellow staff members maybe in a staff meeeting, during your one-hour-a-week EDI time commitment, or one late night hanging out. As with his discussion of voter suppression, Acho starts his discussion of the “broken black family” with deep history (page 132), taking us back before the end of slavery and then up through Reconstruction and the 20th century. Why do we need this history to fully understand the current state of black family demographics? How does it inform your understanding of “what role whiteness has played in the breaking,” as Acho puts it? In Chapter 13, Acho asks (page 166) , “What do you see when you look at the Black Lives Matter protests happening all around our world? And why do you see what you see?” Additionally, he says (page 164), “Throughout all the history, white privilege has ruled how these conflicts were described.” Has or how has your view of race-related protests/ riots/rebellions/massacres changed after reading this chapter/book? On page 196, Acho says, we need to “…engage with tough conversations … white people sit with discomfort … this is how progress is made … This is not to say I want to intentionally hurt a white person’s feelings … I want to move us toward healing. But we can’t go to that part without the hard truths being a part of it.” Looking all the way back, in his introduction, he said, “Getting uncomfortable is the whole idea. Everything great is birthed through discomfort.” After reading his book, how has your perspective of “discomfort” changed as it pertains to discussions around race and racism? DIRECTOR’S CUT I hope you were able to dig in to one of the two podcasts I shared with you last month, “Be Antiracist” with Ibram X. Kendi and “Nice White Parents” hosted by Chana Joffe-Walt. Recently, I’ve been exploring the “Man Enough” podcast, thanks to Alfred Beseler’s recommendation and recent program. However, instead of digging into my thoughts on that podcast, I would like to routinely had the space off to my colleagues to share a bit about what they are diving into. Please take a moment to explore Emily Ascher’s recent finds and once again, please let me know if you have something to share or reflect on in our newsletters.

As the semester wraps up, planning for January Training is already underway. We’ll begin the week of January Training with our newly hired RAs and ARCs (along with HMs to assist in that Training) with the rest of our staff joining later in the week. You’ll have the opportunity to support new hires during Behind Closed Doors and in shadowing shifts at the start of the semester. All staff will be expected to return by Thursday, January 20th. We’ll be bringing the whole group together for a State of the Department address, community building planning, EDI activity and a round of conference style presentations where you’ll be able to choose from one of six personal development presentations to attend.

Returning RA/ARC/SLA Staff Return to Campus by 8pm Wednesday January 19th Training Begins Thursday, January 20th Hall Managers & New RAs and ARCs Return to Campus by 8pm on Monday, January 18th Training Begins Tuesday, January 18th

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT We have offcially launched the search for the new Assistant Director of Residence Life. The recruitment period will close on Sunday, November 21 and the committee will be begin to review applications on the following Monday! We had initially hoped to complete on-campus interviews prior to and/or during finals week. However, due to some unforeseen delays, the on-campus interviews will need to take place the week of January 3-11, 2022. We still want your feedback though! We’re planning for a virtual student staff meet-and-greet for each candidate that week and we would like to offer you the opportunity to join us. As this is beyond your job responsibilities, you will be compensated for your time with each candidate. If you are interested in participating, please email the chair, Alfred Beseler for more information.

October 2021 Intentional Diversity Series with Ebone Bell

Diversity is the Future

Do Not Mistake Kindness for Allyship

Committee Involvement and Attendance Committee representation on the Equity in Mental Health campus steering committee

EMAIL ALFRED

POSITION POSTING

Earlier this fall I was finally able to watch the final season of a show I’ve enjoyed, Atypical. The show follows Sam Garner as he navigates school, dating and of life’s challenges as an individual on the autism spectrum. Atypical has reminded me of various types of support that the students we interact with might need and to be aware of ableist assumptions I may be carrying. Although not a perfect or by any means all-inclusive example of how individuals are reflected on the autism spectrum - the show manages to introduce a variety of really important topics in a humorous way without ever making Sam the butt of the joke. *We all deserve a best friend like Zahid.

“La Espiritista” Latinos Unidos event

RLC Hosted Events Man Enough - A Conversation on Undefining Masculinity led by Alfred Beseler Talking about the T in LGBTQIA+: TedTalks on Trans Identities led by Sarah Frazier

Inclusive Communities led by Alex Lawlor

- Emily Ascher