Corliss Watkins , Academic Advising Coordinator/ Black Student Achievement

TRAINING STUDENTS TO BECOME PEER FACILITATORS FOR INTERGROUP DIALOGUE:

Design, Implementation and Institutional Support

Corliss Watkins, Academic Advising Coordinator/ Black Student Achievement/ JanTerm Instructor

Mary McCall, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology/ Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives

OVERVIEW

● Present the processes to develop and implement peer dialogue courses addressing social justice issues● Review the 5-year process to: ● introduce a course to campus ● expand from teacher-led to peer-facilitated

● Discuss: ● building political & administrative support ● challenges ● successes ● lessons learned

AGENDA

● Opening ● Presentation of Key Factors● Lessons Learned

● Student Panel● Q & A

YOUR QUESTIONS

● What would you like to gain from today’s session?

● What question/s would you like to have addressed?

SIX KEY FACTORS▪ Leadership & Institutional Support

▪ Funding & Resources

▪ Historical Moment

▪ External Motivations

▪ Internal Motivations

▪ Passion for Social Justice

● LEADERSHIP & INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT● FUNDING & RESOURCES● HISTORICAL MOMENT● EXTERNAL MOTIVATIONS● INTERNAL MOTIVATIONS● PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

MISSION▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● To probe deeply the mystery of existence by cultivating the ways of knowing and the arts of thinking.

● To affirm and foster the Christian understanding of the human person which animates the educational mission of the Catholic Church.

● To create a student-centered community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect.

LASALLIAN CORE VALUES▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Concern for the Poor and Social Justice ● Faith in the Presence of God

● Quality Education

● Respect for all Persons

● Inclusive Community

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Formed in 1991 reporting to President● Charge: “evaluate annually the degree to which Saint Mary’s College meets the ongoing recommendations and guidelines which promote diversity objectives”● Monitor diversity initiatives● Resource for diversity issues for faculty, staff and students● Assistant Academic VP appointed by President as Diversity Officer in 1997● VP for Mission appointed by President in 2007 for accountability of diversity initiatives

CULTURAL GRADUATE CELEBRATIONS







1.1996: Black Graduate Celebration

2.1998: Latino Graduate Celebration

3.2002: Asian Pacific American Graduate Celebration

4.2007: Lavender Graduate Celebration

5.2013: Middle Eastern Graduate Celebration?

CULTURAL NIGHTS▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






1.1998: Asian Cultural Night

2.2001: Latino Cultural Night

3.2003: Expressions of Blackness

4.2006: The BASH

5.2007: Lu’au

WASC CHALLENGES▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● 2004: St. Mary’s chose diversity as one of 3 areas of self-study; identified major challenges of inclusion and respectful interactions

● WASC Visiting Team made observations about the gap between “mission” and “living out” that mission; suggested a campus climate survey

● 2008: WASC issued a “Notice of Concern” regarding diversity

CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Conducted in spring 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012● Data used to track progress and identify areas of ongoing challenge● 2010: Faculty (85%), Staff (84%), Students (76%) endorse “a diverse student body enhances the educational experiences of all students,” lower than in 2006 & 2008● 2010: Faculty (30%), Staff (23%), Students (30%) “uncomfortable discussing racially sensitive topics with members of other races● Percentage of students saying “there is racial tension on campus:

2006: 23%2008: 35%2010: 32%

CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






CONCLUSIONS: We believe we should ... ● Develop community ● Help students bring about positive change ● Promote a climate where differences of opinion are aired openly and regularly ● Develop appreciation of multiculturalism ● Develop an inclusive community

NEW PROVOST▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● In February 2008, College welcomes Dr. Bethami Dobkin as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs ● As chief academic officer and second ranking college administrator, Dr. Dobkin has been instrumental in coordinating institutional effectiveness in numerous areas, including inclusive excellence across campus.

● The Provost has become the most visible face on issues of diversity and inclusion.

COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE







● Includes half of the President’s Cabinet● Members include administrators with authority to implement change● CCIE Vision:

“We of Saint Mary’s College of California are dedicated to treating all people with dignity and respect in ways that acknowledge and engage diverse backgrounds and ideas. Our policies, practices and behaviors foster a safe and inclusive community and promote learning that is equitable, collaborative, and inspired by the presence of God in and among us.”

COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE







Primary Goals of the CCIE:

● Improve recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students, staff, and faculty

● Build an inclusive community

● Develop systems of accountability and assessment

INTERACTIVE THEATER▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Interactive Theater (2009) CCIE recognized the potential for IT to enable faculty, students, staff and administrators to address social conflicts as they arise. Initial investment ($4000)

● IT model offers interactive praxisWeekend of Welcome

Faculty In-Service Day

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE DIVERSITY FUND







•Spring 2008 – Diversity Fund proposal to pay for the Diversity Dance and 5 Cultural Nights, including student leadership awards

•Spring 2011 – An increase in the Diversity Fund proposal to pay for Student Leaders Initiating Diversity Education (SLIDE)

DIVERSITY ORGANIZATION COUNCIL







•Spring 2009 – invitation to all student orgs. to self-select

•Diversity-Focused Mission

•Benefits & Expectations

•10-15 student orgs. opted in, ranging from HaU to GSA to IVCF to Dante

STRATEGIC FUNDING▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● BOS – Building On Strengths● Academic Blueprint

● $40K/yr for Diversity Initiatives CCIE – College Committee on Inclusive Excellence (anticipated to grow to $100K/year)

● Expansion of, and support for, the Intercultural Center and Ethnic Studies Department

ACTS OF INTOLERANCE PROTOCOL







● Created in 2008 for inclusion in Undergraduate Student Handbook● Response coordinated by the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)● Reported incidents: ▪ Oct. ‘11: homophobic graffiti on door of Intercultural Center ▪ Nov. ‘11: vandalism to posters of Women’s Studies/Women’s Resource Center event ▪ Mar. ‘12: vandalism to Mission & Ministry crosses ▪ Apr. ‘12: vandalism/graffiti in men’s bathroom

ACADEMIC SENATE▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Unanimous approval at the General Meeting of the Academic Senate on May 15, 2008: “We strongly reject any behavior—whether intentional or unintentional—that degrades or demeans the dignity of any members of our college community.”

“We…request that the Provost…provide workshops to increase cultural competence for all faculty, staff, and students, guided by expertise of professionals in the field. Furthermore, we recommend that such workshops be mandatory.”

CAMPUS OF DIFFERENCE▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● In response to Academic Senate resolution, CCIE evaluated workshops● Campus of Difference was selected● 27 campus representatives trained as facilitators● Mandatory participation by all staff and faculty once every 3 years● President and his Cabinet have attended● To date, 56% of staff members and 21% of faculty members have participated● Follow up activities: develop advanced curriculum; tailor/deliver to intact groups

COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD—LESSONS LEARNED







● Sustainability

● Conflicting Class & Work Schedules

● Communication Plan

● “Meeting students where they’re at”

● Direct Meetings with the Provost

OUR STRUGGLE IS TIED WITH YOURS STUDENT DEMANDS







March 17, 2010 – April 23, 2010

CAPITALIZING ON DIVERSITY Through EDUCATION (CODE)







● Modeled on the COD, a program for students was created

● CODE was launched in the summer of 2010:15 Peer Facilitators40 additional students

● CODE addresses:Acts of Intolerance ProtocolHow to be an ally

INTERGROUP DIALOGUE▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Intergroup Dialogue (2006)Lower Division – Introductory

Readings for Diversity & Social Justice

Upper Division – AdvancedPeer Facilitator Training (2011)

Teaching for Diversity & Social Justice

● Offered in “Jan Term”

RESIDENTIAL CURRICULUM FOR INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE - LESSONS LEARNED . . .







•2008-2009: Charged Resident Advisors and Resident Directors (with the assistance of Faculty/Staff facilitators) to deliver inclusive excellence activities in first-year residence halls•SLOs: Team Building, Face-to-Face Communication Skills, Community Standards, Cultural Appreciation, Self-Awareness

PROPOSAL FOR INTERCULTURAL CENTER EXPANSION







•Assistant Director PositionDevelop and implement an Inclusive Excellence Co-Curriculum1.First-Year Residence Halls2.Student Leadership Groups3.Safe Zone Part II

•Special Programs $$$•Student Leaders Initiating Diversity Education (SLIDE)

1.Weekly Programs2.Diversity Dance3.Cultural Graduate Celebrations

BIAS INCIDENTS RESPONSE TEAM







•Summer of 2011: Stop the Hate Training by Campus Pride, Inc.

•Acts of Intolerance Protocol

•Primary Goals:1. Support2. Education

SUCCESSES▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Intergroup Dialogue● Interactive Theater

Weekend of WelcomeFaculty (In-Service) DayFYAC – First Year Academic CohortResidence HallsResident Advisor TrainingStudent Clubs & OrgsFaculty & Staff Trainings

● Identity Development Leaders All first year students included

SUCCESSES▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Certificate ProgramB.R.A.I.D.

Building Respect Across Inclusive Diversity

● Interactive Theater● Intergroup Dialogue● Minors (within Ethnic Studies) approved by Curriculum Committee

STUDENT PANEL▪ Leadership & Institutional Support






● Kalina Bryant, Psychology

● Brianna Carlson, Honors Finance/Ethnic Studies● Sheila Garcia, Psychology● Ivette Morales, Theatre● Gaby Perez, History● Sabrina Santos, Sociology● Josh Schrag, Kinesiology● Angela Sterling, Politics

THANK YOU!

PowerPoint PresentationCourse Syllabus

Supplementary Materials

Can be accessed at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/

college-committee-on-inclusive-excellence/ncore-2013

Corliss Watkins , Academic Advising Coordinator/ Black Student Achievement

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