Update sessions on the implementation of the UW-Madison Diversity Framework

The campus and community are invited to attend upcoming information update sessions on the implementation of the UW-Madison’s Diversity Framework at various locations across campus and the Greater Madison area from April 13 through 21. Translation services are offered to provide access to everyone who wants to participate. Each session will consist of an update presentation, question and answer session, and refreshments.

The final version of the Forward Together, a Diversity Framework for UW–Madison was introduced in October 2014 and presented in a series of listening sessions. These sessions, which were attended by more than 300 participants, included a charge to form committees that would explore the first round of goals and projects that were prioritize from the 30 overall recommendations embodied by the framework.

Since this past November, those committees have been working to research and prioritize initial action items. Then they explored specific projects and steps to develop a clear implementation time line, including suggestions for transition from pilot to full implementation and/or lifespan of the particular recommendations; and exploring opportunities to share data to promote best practices that foster a more inclusive campus climate.

“The work, which was completed on March 1, was the result of a labor and time intensive process,” said Interim Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick J. Sims. “We appreciate the commitment, effort and enthusiasm these individuals have invested. Now we’re introducing the proposed initial steps to the campus and broader community. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on making the Diversity Framework an operational reality.”

As planned, Sims’ office will host a series of follow-up sessions to present the initial recommendations in their entirety to the both the campus and larger greater Madison community. Work will then begin on the initial priorities ranging from the development of diversity-centric leadership experiences to building stronger connections to the community.

This implementation of the Framework will pull in participants based on their area of expertise and sphere of impact in the campus community, Sims said. Tasks ranging student services and curriculum integration to innovative research are all included in how this implementation of the Framework comes to life.

For a full summary of the implementation of Diversity Framework recommendations and a preliminary overview, please go to: http://diversityframework.wisc.edu/. To request access accommodations for the upcoming listening sessions, send an email to accessthediscussion@cdo.wisc.edu or call 608-265-5228.