What is Diversity and Inclusion?

Andre FortunePat Tetreault, PhD

Desired Session Outcomes

• Advisers/attendees will receive tools to assess the inclusivity of their environment

• Advisers/attendees will be able to identify at least one key to increase inclusivity

• Advisers/attendees will be aware of on- and off-campus resources to increase inclusivity

Why Did You Choose to Attend

• Please share what you would like to take away

• We will review these and attempt to address before our session concludes

Diversity

• What Does it Mean to be “Diverse”?– 2014-15 UNL First-year Class is “Most Diverse Ever”– Diversity is = DIFFERENCE– This includes the social construct of race

• Is Diversity = Cultural Competency?

• Is Diversity = Social Justice?

• How is diversity linked to inclusion?

Inclusion and Inclusivity

• Well Intentions and 35 Not Dumb Things• Assessment• Case Studies• What does inclusion look like?

Inclusion and Inclusivity

Which one of us is straight?

Should the answer impact academic advising?

Treating Everyone the Same

• I don’t see color. I’m colorblind.

• It doesn’t matter whether you are black, white, purple, green……I treat everyone the same.

• I treat everyone equally.

• Why this is problematic

Treating Everyone the Same

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Keys to Increase Inclusivity

• Relate Form a new emotional relationship with a person or community that inspires or sustains hope.

• Repeat The new relationship will help you learn and practice and master new habits and skills that you need.

• Reframe The new relationship helps you learn new ways of thinking about your relationship and your life.

Source: Change or Die by Alan Deutschman (2007)

Increase Inclusivity in Advising

• 35+ Dumb Things• Academic Advising: A Comprehensive

Handbook (2000, NACADA)– Chapter Eight, Advising Multicultural

Students: The Reality of Diversity– Recommendations and Implications

• Climate and Visible Signs• Be Present + Be Genuine = Cultural Sensitivity• Inclusive Language

Examples of Inclusive Language

Limiting Language• Boyfriend, girlfriend

(when sex/gender is unknown)

• Mailman• Sexual preference• Homosexual (male)• Homosexual (female)• Transgendered• Freshmen• Manning the table

More Inclusive Language

• Person you are seeing, involved with; partner; spouse

• Mail carrier• Sexual orientation• Gay• Lesbian• Transgender• First year student• Staffing the table

Taking Action

Small Groups: Be prepared to share… At least one barrier for a more inclusive

advising community. How can this barrier be reduced/removed?

Individually: What am I committed to do to help create a more inclusive climate?

Write/type 2-3 things you can do now. Share one long term goal (and define long

term) via paper or aloud

Diversity and Inclusion Recap

• Diversity is more than race• Generic is not = inclusion• Dynamic approaches are needed to deal with

changing norms & values• Cultural competence goes beyond tolerance• Be Present + Be Genuine = Cultural Sensitivity• Encourage a compassionate, service-oriented

climate that looks at individual and group needs• Visible signs of inclusion and comfortable

environment are valued• Language is important

©2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska

Addressing Your Questions

Thank You!!!

Resources/Contacts

Andre Fortune Pat Tetreault, PhDOASIS and Gaughan Student Involvement Multicultural Center and LGBTQA+

Resource Center

afortune3@unl.edu lgbtqa@unl.edu402-472-6151 402-472-1752www.unl.edu/oasis http://involved.unl.edu

Additional Resources• Inclusive Spaces (downloadable brochure):

http://involved.unl.edu/lgbtq-campus

• Improve/practice Your Inclusivity Skillset (case studies): www.acui.org/publications/bulletin/article.aspx?issue=49826&id=25945

• Trans Guide: http://involved.unl.edu/transguide

• The Power of Language: www.thinkb4youspeak.com

• Consider Multiple Perspectives: www.ted.com/talks/raghava_kk_shake_up_your_story?language=en

Scenarios

• You overhear an advising colleague make negative comments about people of different nationalities. How could you respond to create a more inclusive climate?

• A colleague tells you that they prefer not to work with students that are from underrepresented populations, and it is better to get someone who can better relate to them. How could you respond to create a more inclusive climate?