It is with profound optimism and gratitude that I write to you as we look to the future. In just over two years, we have accomplished much to be proud of. However, we still have much to do in this essential work.
To continue our momentum, it’s helpful to reflect on the mission of the Office of Institutional Diversity: to design, plan, lead and implement, in collaboration with university partners, institutional change actions, initiatives and communications to advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout all facets of Oregon State University.
With that mission in mind, OID is taking steps to achieve our goals. For example, since our last newsletter, OID hosted over 50 chief diversity officers in Corvallis for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Standards of Professional Practice Institute. This was a time to network and learn from each other, review standards of professional practice and contribute to revisions of national standards.
Additionally, as a member of the Southern Regional Education Board, OSU was fortunate to have three doctoral students, Michael Harrison, Christopher Hughbanks and Brittany King, attend the Institute for Teaching and Mentoring. This 4-day conference has become the largest gathering of doctoral scholars of color in the country. The institute gives the issue of faculty diversity a national focus and provides scholars with the strategies necessary to complete their doctoral programs and be successful members of the professoriate.
OID also published the annual President and Provost’s Leadership Council Report on Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. This report, along with summaries of the 2018 Faculty/Staff Climate Survey and the 2019 Student Inclusivity Survey, are available on the OID website.
INSIGHT into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversityfocused publication in higher education, recognized Oregon State University’s commitment to inclusiveness with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the second year in a row. President and Co-publisher Lenore Pearlstein presented the HEED award to President Ed Ray on Oct. 21.
In our first newsletter in spring 2018, I shared my optimism for our future and the power and impact of an OSU education. At the recent Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities annual conference, two presentations left a significant impression of the brilliant work happening at OSU (see story on page 12). Additionally, HACU awarded Christopher Cousins a $5,000 scholarship to complete his education in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
At our State of Diversity at OSU address in June, I provided an update on our Diversity Strategic Plan. We had a full house present to celebrate our accomplishments, and we have positive momentum — even with some very serious challenges, which have created opportunities for our community to address issues of safety for all at OSU.
Finally, when a member of our community hurts, we all hurt. These incidents call on us to take action, have courageous conversations and challenge the status quo. We keep building on those who came before us, and it’s our responsibility to keep that work moving forward.
This is an important time in our history. Together, we will articulate our core values and what it means for all students to know they are safe at Oregon State University. I encourage all of us to be active participants in those conversations, knowing that they may be difficult, but we will remain resolute in our common goals. I am especially proud to be part of a team that is thinking strategically and carefully about our collective safety.
Sincerely,
Charlene Alexander
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
