Diversity Matters @ IUPUI

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Two world-renowned Universities. One dynamic campus.

Spring 2007 - Vol. I Issue I

View this newsletter as a webpage!

• In this Newsletter
• Chancellor vows to improve diversity
• Why care about diversity?
• The space that faculty diversity builds
• How can we eliminate racism on campus?
• Spring cultural enrichment programming
• New committees to address diversity issues

IUPUI Chancellor Vows To Improve Diversity at IUPUI

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz today said the campus must improve its climate of diversity.

After listening to students, faculty, staff and members of the community talk about their experiences at IUPUI for a total of seven hours on Monday and Tuesday, November 13 and November 14, Bantz said, “We heard reports of hostile behavior and discrimination at IUPUI.”

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Why should our campus care about diversity?

Karen Whitney, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor For Student Life & Diversity

The answer is really simple, in that IUPUI is the only four year public university in central Indiana. Consequently, I believe, the faculty and staff have a particular responsibility to who we educate, what we teach, and how we translate our research into practice in ways that improve the quality of life for everyone.

Students have a responsibility to be ready to learn - that is to have read course materials before going to class, in order to effectively engage your faculty and fellow students. The engagement also requires students to challenge what they thought was true and to test and re-test information presented through your coursework.

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The space that faculty diversity builds

Natasha Flowers, Director of the Office for Multicultural Professional Development
The Office for Professional Development

As the kitchen is one of the warmest centers for interaction in many cultural traditions, the classroom is easily considered the place for the safest and most inclusive interactions. In the classroom many students enter expecting an expert, hoping for a good grade, and looking for the encouragement to stay in school. In this learning space, that could be configured as four walls, an open lab, the courtyard, or an online discussion forum, we expect our students to settle in and gather enough information to ready them for a diverse world.

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How can we eliminate racism on campus? - a student perspective

Dominic Dorsey II
IUPUI Student

When I was approached with the opportunity to talk about how to eliminate racism at IUPUI I leaped at the opportunity. However, as eager as I was, it became increasingly difficult to sum up an antidote to a poison that has been so problematic throughout history and more recently been the root of both my triumphs and tribulations as a student. I hope my response shows my earnest intentions.

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Spring cultural enrichment programming line-up filled with opportunities

Diana Sims-Harris
Coordinator of Student Programs
Campus & Community Life

Recent events on IUPUI’s campus have highlighted the continued need for diversity education and programming at IUPUI. Campus & Community Life is committed to providing learning opportunities and celebrating diversity though its cultural enrichment programming series. This spring semester offers an excellent line-up of cultural enrichment programs. Several campus traditions will be celebrated, such as three spring cultural heritage months and the 37th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner, hosted by the Black Student Union. The spring line-up will offer new programs with a wide variety of topics and speakers. A complete listing of spring programs will be available in early January; contact Campus & Community Life at 317-274-3931 or cclife@iupui.edu for more information.

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IUPUI Chancellor forms new committees to address diversity issues

IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz announced the formation of two new groups in an effort to continue improving IUPUI's commitment to diversity: The Campus Diversity Officer Design Team and the Multicultural Center Concept Development Committee. Visit the Diversity section of IUPUI's website to read more about these and other Diversity Planning and Improvement initiatives.

What are you doing to show diversity matters at IUPUI?

We want to hear about it! Please send updates to: hhollida@iupui.edu