John Carroll University Division of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Volume 5, Issue 8: December 2, 2021
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R.I.S.E.* Up Newsletter
*Reinforcing Inclusion through Skill-building and Education
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As we approach the cold days of winter and the end of the calendar year, we are surrounded by messages proclaiming this the season of "peace" and "joy." But for some of our community members, peace and joy can be hard to find during this season.
For many of us, but especially for those whose lived experience puts us on the receiving end of racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, religious discrimination, ableism, or other forms of bigotry and hate, the past year has been a difficult one. Many have spent the year reeling from the bitterness, rancor and violence of this year's public discourse around such topics as racial justice, education policy, electoral politics, and public health. We are anxiously watching the interplay between race, privilege, and power on display in recent high-profile murder trials in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Brunswick, Georgia. We worry for our safety and that of our loved ones. We are paying attention to everything, everywhere, and the constant vigilance is exhausting.
In addition, we are living in nearly two long years, now, of pandemic-adjusted reality that have been difficult for many of us, especially the students among us: 30% of college students reported feeling depressed in the past year, and over half of students reported feeling overwhelmingly anxious. The short days, cold weather and lack of sun around here also play a significant role in the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a wintertime condition that affects many -- especially those who already experience mental health challenges such as bipolar disorder or chronic depression. Finally, many of us are going into the holidays grieving the loss of loved ones. This can be a heavy time of year.
Some of us, of course, ARE excited about the holidays and looking forward to the time to rest, to reconnect with loved ones, to enjoy old and new traditions and the quieter pace of the cold weather. Some of us are eager to end the semester and take a break. Some of us are digging as fast as we can right now, and some of us are making snow angels.
Please know that wherever you find yourself in this moment, whether you are in a place of joy or of grief, hope or suffering, anxiety or delight, we -- the members of your community -- see you. We hold your experience up to the light. We stand with you.
My wish for you as we enter into our last weeks of the year is that you find moments of peace, rest, and stillness, and that you find opportunities for refreshment in soul and body. A new year is coming soon; may we embrace it with hope!
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Sincerely,
Megan Wilson-Reitz
Administrative Coordinator for Diversity & Equity
p.s. Looking for tips on managing challenges around mental health, community well-being and equity over the holiday season? Click on our resource guides, below!
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Trans 101
December 3, 2:00-3:00 pm
Virtual via Zoom
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Join the DEI Division for our upcoming virtual SafeZone training, facilitated by OutSupport Medina. (This program is worth 15 DEI Champion points for faculty and staff!) There is still time to register!
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Black Students in Action
Pop-Up Shop
December 9 and 10, 3:00-5:00 pm
Black Cultural Center + Murphy Commons
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Tis the season for giving (and selling)! BSA will be hosting a pop up shop in the Lombardo Student Center next week.
We are looking for student small business owners to be vendors at this event; this gives the opportunity for your business to be showcased to the entire campus and to show some support to BSA as an organization. Deadline to register is December 3rd by 5pm. Contact Uche Ike (uike22@jcu.edu) to register.
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The Boler College of Business "Thinking Big" Series presents:
The Conversation: Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism with Dr. Robert Livingston
December 8, 12:00 pm (note new time) | virtual via Zoom
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JCU is pleased to welcome Dr. Robert Livingston, lecturer in Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, for a community discussion about his book The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations (the selected title for the Fall 2021 Thinking Big community book read).
This program is hosted by the Dr. James S. Reid Chair in Management, in partnership with The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, Professional MBA Advisory Committee, and the Office of Alumni Relations.
This event is free and open to the public. (This program is worth 15 DEI Champion points for faculty and staff!)
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The Jewish members of our community are celebrating Hanukkah this week -- the eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights” that is marked by the nightly lighting of candles on the nine-branched Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah); traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot; games and gifts; and the recitation of specific Psalms and prayers.
In Hebrew, Chanukah means “dedication,” referring to the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, a victory for religious freedom in the Second Century BCE after the success of the Maccabean Revolt. The Talmud tells a story of a miracle that marked the feast of dedication: though there was only enough oil for one night, the Temple menorah, once lit, burned for eight straight nights.
Wishing Chag Urim Sameach to all who are celebrating the holiday this week. May the celebration be filled with joy, light and gladness.
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resource guide
Navigating Difficult Holiday Conversations
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Struggling with hard conversations about (or during) the holiday gatherings this year? Last holiday season, we published Dr. Green's helpful tip sheets on "Navigating Difficult Conversations" for the holidays and are bringing them back this year due to popular demand. Click below to view.
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resource guide
"Coping with the Holidays and a Pandemic"
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The Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County has issued a public informational booklet entitled "Coping with the Holidays and a Pandemic" to help individuals and their families get through a challenging holiday season.
Topics include "overcoming holiday stress," "grieving during the holidays," and "tips for individuals in recovery," including many others. Click the image to download the full brochure, and take good care of yourself this holiday season!
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R.I.S.E. Higher: Featured Article of the Week
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The Full-Time Faculty Factor
Do white students have more access to full-time faculty?
Colleen Flaherty, Inside Higher Ed, December 2, 2021
Professors from across New York’s public colleges say that all students, regardless of race or what campus they’re on, should have equal opportunities to study with full-time professors. Yet as of now, those chances are concentrated on predominantly white campuses, according to one analysis.
City University of New York and State University of New York system professors are drawing attention to disparities between the full-time faculty-to-student ratios on campuses where students tend to be white and where there are more underrepresented minorities. In what some professors are calling a glaring example of “racialized austerity” regarding state funding for higher education, students at CUNY’s and SUNY’s four-year colleges and universities are more likely to interact with full-time professors if they’re on a campus with relatively fewer Black and Hispanic students.
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Announcements from our network...
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The Chronicle of Higher Education presents:
The Mental Health Crisis on Campus
December 8, 2:00 pm ET | virtual via Zoom
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The CDC reports that suicide is the second-leading cause of death among American college students. How can colleges respond to the growing need for mental-health support on campuses? Our panel of experts will examine this critical issue in a virtual forum. With Support From TimelyMD.
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Other articles we're reading this week ...
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After Experiencing Racism On Portland's Trails, This Woman Started The Hiking Group 'People Of Color Outdoors': Initially wanting people to experience the beauty of the nature in Portland in peace, POCO has since become a non-profit and haven of hope for residents of color during the pandemic. (Essence, Nov. 22)
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Stop AAPI Hate National Report released: A nationally-representative survey conducted by SAH and the Edelman Data & Intelligence Team estimates that nearly one in five Asian Americans (21.2%) and Pacific Islanders (20.0%) have experienced a hate incident the past year. (Nov. 11)
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Two State Senators Call on UNL Chancellor to Resign: Two Republican senators in Nebraska are calling for the removal of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Chancellor Ronnie Green for his efforts in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. (Nebraska Public Media, Nov. 30)
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Who belongs at a women's college in 2021? Students and faculty at Hollins University, a historically women’s college in Virginia, are seeking changes to the admissions process to be more inclusive to nonbinary students. (National Public Radio All Things Considered, Nov. 26)
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New CDOs ‘Stand on the Shoulders’ of DEI Predecessors (INSIGHT Into Diversity, Nov. 17): An Interview with six newly appointed CDOs to discuss the challenges and rewards of this critically important job in today’s unique social and political climate.
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‘It Just Felt Wrong’: U. of Florida Faculty Say Political Fears Stalled an Initiative on Race: A new grievance says administrators — worried about riling Republican lawmakers — told professors to avoid using the word “critical” in the title of a new doctoral concentration related to race. (Chronicle of Higher Ed, Nov. 30)
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Do Colleges Capitalize on Their Latino/a Students? The number of Hispanic-serving institutions has grown significantly in the past decade. But some researchers are raising concerns that the federal money earmarked for HSIs isn’t necessarily doing what it’s supposed to do: directly support Latino/a students. (Chronicle of Higher Ed, Nov. 30)
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Reimagining Supports to Help Single Moms: A new report outlines the efforts of four community colleges to better support single mothers trying to earn degrees. (Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 29)
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2 Trustees at a Small College Resigned Over Diversity Concerns. Some on the Campus Want Answers. (Chronicle of Higher Ed, Nov. 23)
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