Last semester, hundreds of students and others at the University of Wisconsin-Madison took action in response to racially charged events in Ferguson, Mo., Staten Island and elsewhere.
“Much of last semester’s momentum came from students,” says Lori Berquam, vice provost for student life and dean of students. “I give them tremendous credit for encouraging others to take action. We hope these students continue to ask difficult questions, spurring us to make meaningful changes at UW-Madison.”
Catalyzed by these events, UW-Madison will explore how responses to national and international events fit with last semester’s organizing efforts and the university’s evolving Diversity Framework. Chancellor Rebecca Blank joins Lori Berquam, vice provost for student life and dean of students, and Patrick Sims, interim vice provost and chief diversity officer, to facilitate the conversation.
“We recognize that many students, staff and faculty members continue to struggle with these and related issues on a daily basis,” says Patrick Sims, interim vice provost and chief diversity officer. “We hope these sessions will help establish trust and make this campus a place where each community member feels welcomed, valued and included.” 
The core of this effort involves continuing dialogues for engagement. These dialogues begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. in Union South’s Varsity Hall. All are welcome. Chancellor Blank will offer opening remarks and encourage discussion along several themes.
At each table, facilitators will introduce specific questions at an individual level and encourage a takeaway: what can each participant do today to improve the campus climate? All staff may attend without loss of pay. Individuals requesting accommodation should contact Argyle Wade at 608-890-0341 or argyle.wade@wisc.edu.
More information on this event, along with an updated listing of future events during the spring semester, may be found at http://voices.wisc.edu.
UW-Madison’s proud tradition of activism encourages exploration of difficult questions, examining new ideas and crossing perceived boundaries. Through these coordinated sessions, the university’s efforts will feed into the short and long-term implementation plans of the Diversity Framework.
“Great universities depend upon an open exchange of experiences and ideas,” says Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “We are most successful when each member of our campus community feels that their role in this exchange has value. I invite everyone to join us in these important discussions.”
For ongoing information on the campus discussion and events, please go to: http://voices.wisc.edu.