Romona West
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
479-575-4887
Email: romona@uark.edu
IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT INJUSTICES...
WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY AND WE, HEAR, SEE AND STAND WITH #BlackatUARK
What should we STOP doing?
What should we START doing?
What should we CONTINUE to do?
College of Arts and Sciences Values, Mission and Land Acknowledgement Statement Link->
View the recording of the July 9th "Deans’ Town Hall on J. William Fulbright’s Legacy."
Wednesday, October 28th
“Inclusion in Curriculum”
Featuring Guest Speaker: Dr. Meera Kumar, Journalism
Meeting ID: 845 1734 7211
Passcode: .Pq9MR05
Meetings are generally hosted every Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
VISION: The vision for our weekly DEI Hour is to have a weekly topic (some weeks the topic may carry over), facilitate the conversation, and allow open discussion for those who want to participate.
GOALS: The goal for the conversations in our weekly DEI Hour is to provide a platform to share experiences, ensue awareness and education, allow voices to be heard and instill a sense of belonging.
The meeting will consist of 30 minutes of topic discussion and 30 minutes of open format for comment.
EVENTS
October 12th is Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Ways to observe this day:
There’s going to be a one-hour virtual event on Monday the 12th at noon CST. This one-hour conversation will feature an introduction by the Director of the National Museum of the American Indian, Kevin Gover (Pawnee), a musical performance by hip-hop artist Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota), and will be moderated by museum cultural interpreter, Michaela Pavlat (Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians).” You can attend the live event at the following link: https://nmai.brand.live/c/indigenouspeoplesday
Watch the 2018 Grass Dance performed at the Sacred Springs Powwow, which is organized by the nonprofit Indigenous Cultures Institute: http://calendar.powwows.com/events/sacred-springs-pow-wow-2019/
Meet Sean Teuton, Director of the Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Arkansas: https://fulbright.uark.edu/area-studies/indigenous-studies/message-from-the-director.php
Want more ideas on how to observe this day? Click here for a list: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/10/07/indigenous-peoples-day-2020/
You’re invited to watch Picture a Scientist!
You’re invited to register to watch Picture a Scientist, a new documentary that chronicles the experiences of three women in science and how they navigate and fight against sexual harassment, discrimination and racism. This film is relevant to all people in STEM, no matter your career stage. All are welcome to register.
How to Watch: Register to watch this film online. You must register before Monday October, 12th.
When can I watch: Anytime on Thursday October, 15th—Sunday, October 18th.
Virtual Viewing Party: Interested in discussing the films content with other women in STEM? Choose this option in the registration form and we will invite you to a virtual viewing party on Friday, October 16th at 6:00pm. The movie will last 90 minutes and discussion will follow. Post-viewing discussion will be moderated by Christina Barnes a PhD student in Experimental Psychology and creator of the Navigating Life as a Female Graduate Student, a community for all graduate students that identify as female. If you miss the party, you can still watch the film on your own through Sunday, October 18th.
For more information or questions: Email the office of graduate student support at gradsupport@uark.edu; or Dr. Sarah DuRant
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th through October 15th 2020
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to learn and celebrate the vastness of Latin culture and the achievements and contribution of Latinx individuals across the world. This year there will be are a variety of events ranging from panel discussions to salsa lessons. One of the main events every year for Hispanic Heritage Month is the annual Plaza de las Americas – Festival de las Manos Unidas, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, virtual via Zoom. It will highlight various Latin countries, feature performances, and more in a celebration of Latin American culture in Arkansas. Plaza de las Americas – Festival de las Manos Unidas has been a staple of the Hispanic community in Northwest Arkansas for more than a decade, and is one of many events taking place for more than a month throughout the area.
Let's Talk about Integrity and Race - Walton College
A book, workshop, and speaker series for students, faculty, and staff to initiate, inform, and enhance discussions about what racism is, how to speak up about it, and engage in productive dialogue. The program includes a deeper-dive option with weekly workshops.
RESOURCES
Supporting BIPOC: Online Resources and Articles
How to Cope with Race-Related Stress and Trauma as a Person of Color?
Latest Issues and Struggles
• 'Allostatic Load' Is the Psychological Reason for Our Pandemic Brain Fog Link ->
• 'The virus beat us': Colleges are increasingly going online for fall 2020 semester
as COVID-19 cases rise Link ->
• The emotional impact of watching white people wake up to racism in real-time Link ->
• Performative Allyship Is Deadly: Activism can’t begin and end with a hashtag Link ->
• I Don’t Need ‘Love’ Texts From My White Friends Link ->
• Can a White Person Understand the Black Experience? Link ->
World Health Organization: Coping with Stress During COVID-19 Link->
Healing from Racial Trauma-Physical/Emotional Symptoms: Link->
Psychiatrists say viral police brutality videos can take toll on African American mental health Link->
Building Resilience Link->
Tolerating Uncertainty Link->
Acceptance and Mindfulness during Uncertainty: Link ->
How to call people out for racism (CLAIM): Link->
Counseling Options for Students
• CAPS also provides Let’s Talk services during weekdays, and 24/7 emergency/same-day phone services (479-575-5276).
• Thriving Campus
• Psychology Today
• Black Female Therapists (Black Male Therapists)
• Black Lives Matter by Calm Blog
• Liberate. Meditation. For Us, By Us. Liberate is the #1 meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community.
Emergency Food Relief COVID-19
MEET OUR COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEI COUNCIL MEMBERS
Purpose of the DEI Council
Members serve as college representatives identifying, recommending, supporting and advising the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Dean’s leadership team on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues, key strategic programs, and initiatives.
Kate Chapman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science
Geri Cruz
Administrative Support Supervisor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Erica Estes
Director of Employer Relations for Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
Hershel Hartford
Administrative Support Supervisor in the Department of Communication
Xavier Medina, Ph.D.
Diane D. Blair Professor of Latino Studies and Assistant Professor of Political Science
Kusum Naithani, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences
Yajaira Padilla, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English and Latin American and Latino Studies
Kyle Prince
HEI Program
Coordinator
Samantha Robinson, Ph.D.
Teaching Assistant Professor
of Natural Sciences
Warrington Sebree
Graduate Student in the Department of Political Science
Lia Uribe, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Music/Bassoon in the Department of Music
Mica-Ela Vitug
Senior Double Majoring in Journalism Advertising and PR and Political Science
Romona West, J.D.
Director, Diversity and Inclusion
Chairperson
Anna Zajicek, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Fulbright College, Professor of Sociology
University of Arkansas Diversity Values Statement
In order to enhance educational diversity, the University of Arkansas seeks to include and integrate individuals from varied backgrounds and with varied characteristics such as those defined by race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and intellectual perspective.
For more information on Diversity at the University of Arkansas, follow the links below:
Office for Diversity and Inclusion
University of Arkansas Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the University of Arkansas to provide an educational and work environment in which thought, creativity, and growth are stimulated, and in which individuals are free to realize their full potential through equal opportunity. The university should be a place of work and study for students, faculty, and staff, which is free of all forms of discrimination, sexual intimidation and exploitation. Therefore, it is the policy of the University of Arkansas, to prohibit discrimination of its students, faculty, and staff and to make every eFort to eliminate discrimination within the university community.
Therefore, the University of Arkansas is committed to providing equal opportunity for all students and applicants for admission and for all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, age, gender, religion, national origin, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. In addition, discrimination in employment on the basis of genetic information is prohibited.
It is the responsibility of the University of Arkansas' Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance to investigate and resolve all allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, marital or parental status, genetic information and sexual orientation.
The University of Arkansas complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
Free language assistance (oral or written) is available for LEP individuals to the extent required to provide meaningful access to programs and services.
This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.