Romona West
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
479-575-4887
Email: romona@uark.edu
Upcoming DEI Hour
Our Weekly DEI Hours will resume in August. If you’d like to leave suggested topics for the fall, please do so here. Have a great summer!
If you’d like to schedule time to meet with Romona please email her directly at romona@uark.edu
NEWS & UPDATES
Portraits of Progress
As part of the University of Arkansas' commemoration of its 150th anniversary, the university has launched Portraits of Progress, a website featuring vignettes of trailblazers and other important figures who have helped make the university a more diverse and inclusive institution.
Story about Portraits of Progress can be found here: Link
150 years of UARK
Celebrating 150 years of dedication, determination and opportunity. It’s been our calling since 1871 https://150.uark.edu/
What I learned about unity from my interview with Angela Davis
Yvette Murphy-Erby | Feb 19, 2021
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-i-learned-unity-from-my-interview-angela-davis-murphy-erby
Watch this video to learn more about the U of A and find cool facts about our campus and how we have grown in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
EVENTS
U of A Language and Culture Series
More information can be found here: https://diversity.uark.edu/leadership-initiatives/programs/language-culture-series.php
The University of Arkansas is launching a new Language and Culture Series this spring to celebrate and share language, culture, customs and more with the campus and its surrounding community. The series is part of the university's commitment to its diversity and inclusion priorities and will generally align with the recognized spring and fall heritage months, from February through November 2021. While the events are free and open to the public, participating U of A students will be given a virtual passport to track their attendance at events. Upon completing events, students will be entered to win various prizes.
- September, dates TBD – Study Abroad Fair and Plaza de las Américas
- October, dates TBD – Talk: "Debordering, rebordering, and the exclusion of minority dialects: The case of Portuguese in Uruguay" by guest speaker Ana Maria Carvalho of University of Arizona
- All November-long – Native American Heritage Month
- November, dates TBD – Guest Speaker Natalie Schilling of Georgetown University; and International Education Week
Source: News UARK
Chancellor Joe Steinmetz Releases Proclamation, Video for Racial Healing Day
RESOURCES
Cope with Political Stress with New CAPS Resource
This semester, Pat Walker Health Center's Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) has seen a sharp increase in political anxiety and stress amongst its clients. Students are reporting that the uncertain political times — especially during this unprecedented public health crisis and increasing racial tensions across the country — are leaving them with more feelings of stress and uncertainty.
Such stress can interfere with daily tasks, including academic work.
And regardless of the outcome of this year's election cycle, the post-election political climate can be enough to create an unusual amount of stress for some people.
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, CAPS encourages the U of A community to practice healthy habits and stay well during these times of tension and uncertainty. CAPS clinicians have put together some strategies to help you better cope and redistribute your feelings into positive energy.
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.
What you need to know about pronouns?
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:
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.