John Carroll University Division of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Volume 5, Issue 9: December 16, 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 end of our semester and of the calendar year, many of us do so with a profound sense of loss after hearing the news of the sudden death last week of our treasured colleague, Father Don Cozzens.
Fr. Cozzens served as Writer in Residence at JCU for many years and taught several popular courses in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Even after his retirement, he remained a regular fixture at JCU as a presider at campus Masses (as well as in the dining hall and on the racquetball courts). Newspaper articles about his death rightly recognize his legacy as a brave clerical whistle-blower who called for major reforms in Catholic Church seminaries and approach to the priesthood (and was frequently criticized for doing so). They also mark his contributions as a powerful and influential writer whose books were described as "telling the truth in love."
In online tributes, our students and alumni speak of his profound gentleness, genuine respect for others, and legendary racquetball serve. Our colleague Dr. Ed Hahnenberg of the Department of Theology & Religious Studies also speaks for many of us in his article in America magazine this week, where he says that Fr. Cozzens' "authenticity and basic human goodness attracted a wide circle of friends." So many of us were fortunate to be part of this circle, and we mourn him, not only as scholar, writer, and Church reformer, but also, as colleague, mentor, teacher, and friend.
I myself had the good fortune to study, laugh, weep, pray, and break bread with Fr. Cozzens many times over the past 13 years. I will miss his good humor, his humility, his appreciation for nuance and complexity, his willingness to engage in legendary battles of wit (and truly terrible puns) with his colleagues, and his deep commitment to a merciful, grace-filled honesty. I have always treasured the ways in which Fr. Cozzens consistently listened to -- and amplified -- the voices of those who have been marginalized. In this work he was also a great friend and ally to our DEI division here at JCU. He spoke honestly, sensitively, and bravely about the marginalization of women in the Church, lifted up the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ priests and lay Catholics, and condemned the great harm done by systems of racism and white supremacy. He lent his considerable voice to many who felt silenced, sidelined or excluded.
Fr. Cozzens' vision for the Catholic Church -- and for its institutions, including John Carroll University -- was that it would come to embrace a position of greater humility and listening, cultural relevance and openness. He wrote of an "underground church" marked by inclusion, justice and liberation. It is a vision that we in the DEI division are proud to carry forward in our work now and into the future.
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Sincerely,
Megan Wilson-Reitz
Administrative Coordinator for Diversity & Equity
p.s. Even as this newsletter prepared to go to print, we received word of yet another great loss to our world and our work: the towering Black feminist intellectual, prolific author, poet, social activist, cultural critic, and professor bell hooks, who died yesterday at the age of 69.
There is not enough room in this newsletter to articulate the depth of influence bell hooks had on our approach to the work of equity, justice and belonging today, particularly in the academy. Her clear, rigorous writing developed an ethic of authentic community grounded in radical self-love, hopeful imagination, and rejection of all forms of domination. In addition, her important work on the transformative power of education taught many of us that “the classroom remains the most radical space of possibility.”
I encourage you to read some of the many articles about her that are already pouring out from media outlets around the world as well as the heartfelt tributes on social media using hashtags like #bellhookstaughtme. Take this opportunity to recognize the depth of her influence. As Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg wrote yesterday, "If you've ever considered gender in relationship to race, class &/or any other identity-- If you have ever used the word 'marginalized'-- If the phrase 'imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy' tracks for you-- you owe a debt to bell hooks. She shaped us all."
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Two Sad Year-End Farewells |
As you may already be aware, we have had to say a fond farewell to some of our staff in the DEI division this month: as they go on to pursue exciting new opportunities elsewhere, we send our best wishes with our former Title IX Coordinator, Dan Fotoples, and Wayfinders Coordinator, Kendra Cundiff. We will miss them both!
Title IX matters are currently being managed by Interim Title IX Coordinator Lisa Brown Cornelius, Senior Director of Residence Life. We look forward to announcing a new Wayfinders Program Coordinator in our next newsletter.
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Mental Health First Aid Training
January 14 and March 25, 2022 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders in this one-day certification training in Mental Health First Aid. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Two training opportunities will be offered in the spring semester. Click below to register for either one.
This program is sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Wellness.
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Student Workshop:
New Year: New Goals
January 26 | 5:30 pm
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Save the date for an exciting student workshop next semester on effective goal setting skills and creating vision boards to manifest and prepare for the future. Location TBD. Sponsored by the Wayfinders Program, Career Services and the Graduate School. |
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Help us find our next VP DEI! |
We are currently searching for our next Vice President to oversee the work of our terrific team here in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The committee is now accepting applications. Please spread the word in your networks and encourage strong candidates to apply! Share the link below with anyone who may be interested.
To nominate someone who you think may be a strong candidate for the role, or to ask questions about the search process, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Edward Peck, Vice President for University Mission & Identity, at epeck@jcu.edu.
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Please join us in congratulating the newest recipient of a DEI Champion Badge: Megan Connor, Director of the JCU Writing Center. DEI Champion Badges are designed to encourage, support, and recognize faculty and staff participation in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts here at John Carroll University. Megan is our 14th colleague honored with a blue badge so far this year. Congratulations!
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The Holidays are Upon Us! |
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December 25 marks the Christian celebration of Christmas, the feast day celebrating the birth of Jesus.
The holiday did not really take hold until around the 4th century, and many scholars believe the date for Christmas was chosen by counting 9 months from the date of the Feast of the Annunciation, (March 25).
Over time the festival in Europe grew to incorporate many pagan traditions that are still used today to celebrate the Winter Solstice, such as Yule logs, Christmas trees, merrymaking, feasting and gift-giving. In other regions of the world, Christmas celebrations incorporate many regional, cultural and religious elements to create a rich and diverse tapestry of holiday celebrations.
This Christmas, take a minute to learn about how a Christian community somewhere else in the world celebrates this holiday.
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December 26 marks the beginning of the seven days of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage created by Maulana Karenga, a major figure in the American Black Power movement of the 1960's and 70's, as a way to encourage Black pride, identity and culture.
The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits". First fruits festivals are traditional in some parts of Southern Africa, celebrated in December/January with the summer solstice.
The seven days of Kwanzaa celebrate seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
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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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Letter from Gov. DeWine about growing antisemitism on college campuses |
Earlier this month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a letter to the presidents of all Ohio colleges and universities expressing concern for increasing patterns and incidents of antisemitism on campus. His letter asks all Ohio institutions of higher learning to take concrete steps toward ensuring a safe environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff and commits the Governor's Office to the work of forming a comprehensive action plan to collectively confront this issue. |
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R.I.S.E. Higher: Featured Article of the Week |
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The Challenges Facing LGBTQ+ Senior Administrators
10 steps for addressing bias and unequal treatment in higher education institutions.
Carra Hood, Inside Higher Ed, Dec. 3
College campuses are perceived as some of the most open and affirming of communities. They encourage and support diversity and provide a broad spectrum of courses and programs. They accommodate students with access to academic, social, health care, psychiatric and other services. And, as employers, academic institutions establish policies that promote diversity and fair treatment for all who work there.
Given the claims, policies and structures in place at many colleges and universities, it would seem that everyone who works and studies at such institutions would respect and embrace individual differences—including non-heterosexual cultural perspectives and identities. However, many institutions face difficulties addressing bias and unequal treatment when it comes to LGBTQ+ administrators, particularly those in senior positions.
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Announcements from our network... |
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The University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice presents:
HeArtful Journey to Allyship
January 12, 19 and 26 | 9:30-12:30 am PST (12:30-3:30 pm EST)
virtual via Zoom | $325 / person
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This unique workshop combines creative expression, narrative, and restorative practices to explore issues of personal identity, culture, and privilege, using arts-based tools to safely dialogue about our challenges and discover how to practice allyship as a way of life. This workshop will be delivered remotely over three (3) weeks via live, 3-hour Zoom sessions on consecutive Wednesdays. |
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The City Club of Cleveland presents:
Good Medicine: A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer
January 13, 12:00-1:00 pm | virtual form
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Join the City Club of Cleveland in a virtual conversation, in partnership with Holden Forests & Gardens' NEA Big Read Northeast Ohio with Kent State University. We will hear from Robin Wall Kimmerer on how we can repair not only ecological communities, but also the reciprocal relationship humankind has with land.
(Many members of the JCU community will remember that we featured Kimmerer's book Braiding Sweetgrass as a DEI community book read last year!)
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Other articles we're reading this week ...
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Opposition to Black icon at Catholic University ignores Christ's universality: At the Catholic University of America, an icon portraying a Black Christ, with features modeled after George Floyd, was removed from its place outside the law school chapel. It is not clear whether it was stolen — as a previous copy was — or if it was taken down. (National Catholic Reporter, Dec. 15)
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She's Teaching Critical Race Theory, Despite a State Law: A new Idaho law stops short of barring instructors from teaching critical race theory, and Leslie Madsen, an associate professor of history at Boise State University, plans to teach it in one of her spring courses. (Chronicle of Higher Ed/Race on Campus, Dec. 14)
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[interactive] ‘I know my parents love me, but they don’t love my people': Transracial adoptees, children raised by adoptive parents of a different race or ethnicity, are experiencing their own racial reckoning as the nation confronts its historical scars. (The Washington Post, Dec. 13)
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I grew up bilingual. But now I struggle to communicate deeply with my parents. As I’ve gotten older, my Korean language skills have stayed stagnant. (The Lily, Dec. 12)
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Uber blocks transgender drivers from signing up: ‘They didn’t believe me’ : Uber has blocked transgender and nonbinary people from driver and delivery jobs by treating their documents as fraudulent. (LA Times, Dec. 10)
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House Republicans express concern over party infighting, but not the Islamophobic rhetoric that set it off : The party’s focus on the political ramifications of the infighting rather than the substance of the disagreement -- Islamophobic attacks by some Republicans against a Democratic congresswoman who is Muslim -- has led civil rights groups and Democrats to charge that Republicans are embracing, or at least enabling, bigotry. (Washington Post, Dec. 3)
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A Black couple says an appraiser lowballed them. So, they ‘whitewashed’ their home and say the value shot up Austin told the state reparations task force he believes the property was devalued “because we are in a Black neighborhood, and the home belonged to a Black family.” Other Black homeowners have reported similar experiences.(Washington Post, Dec. 6)
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Transgender people can’t be baptized unless they’ve ‘repented,’ Catholic diocese says. Some theologians and those who support LGBTQ Catholics said the new rule may contradict canon law, the church’s set of internal regulations — and speculated that few other dioceses are likely to follow suit. (Washington Post, Dec. 9)
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Chile Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage at Fraught Political Moment: The legalization of same-sex marriage in Chile comes as the country grapples with sweeping demands for social change. (New York Times, Dec, 7)
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White Privilege: Study documents key ways that white (and sometimes Asian) students have an advantage in admissions over Black and Latinx students. (Inside Higher Ed, Dec. 6)
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