The University of Wisconsin-Madison is asking community members to help create a new framework for diversity and inclusion. The tentative name for the currently evolving diversity plan is: Forward Together: UW-Madison’s Framework for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.
The process was introduced at the annual Diversity Forum on Oct. 21 and 22 by Ad Hoc Diversity Planning Committee co-chairs Prof. Ruth Litovsky and doctoral student Ryan Adserias.
“With the new leadership of Chancellor Rebecca Blank and interim Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick J. Sims, we are entering an exciting era of opportunity to create long-lasting, sustainable change,” says Ruth Litovsky, professor of communication sciences and disorders and co-chair of the campus Ad Hoc Diversity Planning Committee. “Contributions from all corners of the UW-Madison experience are invaluable to the committee’s work.”
The Ad Hoc Committee introduced the process of engagement with a break-out session on the first day of the forum and a round-table plenary discussion the second day. Five intial engagement sessions have been scheduled in November for the campus community.
Sessions last approximately 90 minutes and are scheduled as follows:
1. Monday, Nov. 4, at 9 and 10:30 a.m. in the Memorial Union (see TITU for location)
2. Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 1 and 2:30 p.m. in the Gordon Dining and Event Center
3. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 11 p.m. in the Health Sciences Learning Center
4. Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Tripp Commons
5. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5 and 6:30 p.m. in the Mendota Room, Dejope Residence Hall
The events on Nov. 5, 6 and 11 will be presented in Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan and Mandarin as well as English. To request ASL interpretation, large-print or Braille materials for any session, please email accessthediscussion@cdo.wisc.edu.
The engagement process also includes reaching out to our community and partner organizations. In this first round, four sessions have been scheduled at various venues around the community and are open to anyone who would like to participate. No registration for these engagement sessions is necessary.
“The Greater Madison community, as well as the entire state and all the regions of the country we serve, are pivotal partners in shaping how we move forward in improving our diversity efforts as a world-class institution of higher learning and partner in community outreach,” says UW-Madison Interim Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick J. Sims. “We want and need the input of communities beyond the campus to establish and reach our goals on diversity and inclusion. This is our first attempt to really listen and hear from our community partners. Folks should know this is only the beginning and more listening sessions are to come that will help us build and improve our ongoing efforts.”
In preparation for joining the discussion, participants are asked to gather their thoughts around four key questions that will be discussed at the engagement sessions:
- Think of a time at UW-Madison when you felt welcome and included: What about that experience made it feel welcoming and inclusive?
- What does inclusion look, sound, and feel like to you?
- If you could change one thing at UW related to diversity or inclusivity, what would it be?
All members of the UW-Madison community – residents, alumni, educators, parents, students, volunteers , business leaders and organization representatives — are encouraged to come and share ideas for improvement, approaches and feedback through a series of upcoming engagement sessions.
The community engagement sessions are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6-8 p.m. at the Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Road, Madison, (608) 833-4979;
Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6-8 p.m. Urban League of Greater Madison, 2222 S. Park St., Madison, (608) 729-1200;
Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6-8 p.m. at the Northport Apartments Community Center, 1740 Northport Drive, Madison, (608) 249-9281;
Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6-8 p.m. at the United Way of Dane County, 2059 Atwood Ave., Madison, (608) 246-4350.
Since February 2013, a dedicated team of campus and community members has been hard at work developing an innovative framework for guiding, shaping, and strengthening UW-Madison’s commitment to inclusive excellence and innovation.As the flagship institution of the UW System, UW-Madison is dedicated to intentionally integrating diversity efforts into core aspects of the university’s mission, maximizing success and participation among all members of the UW-Madison community. This specifically includes the university’s academic priorities, leadership, quality improvement initiatives, decision-making, day-to-day operations and organizational cultures.
Co-chair Ryan Adserias, doctoral student in educational leadership and policy analysis, added that although the time students and their families are associated with the UW-Madison campus may be relatively short, the long-term impact of that association and the experience they have while on campus is especially important to formulating the university’s approach to diversity, inclusion and climate.
“We are thrilled at the level of commitment we have already seen from members of the UW-Madison community,” says Adserias. “Each voice is critical to this process; we want to emphasize, again, that there is a place for you, your colleagues, and friends as we continue to refine our ongoing commitment to this important work.”