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, November 18th,
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Our last DEI Hour in Fall 2020: Open D&I Discussion
Come prepared with your thoughts and suggestions on how our college is doing in the DEI space
Meeting ID: 816 0008 1166
Passcode: VuNR@R68
Please take our survey on DEI Hours. We want your feedback.
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.
November is National Native American Heritage Month, the recognition of the first peoples of this continent and celebration of their culture, heritage, history and contemporary identities.
The University of Arkansas will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a slate of events in November, from a live stream musical performance to a panel on the Indigenous roots of the University.
More details can be found here ->
Transgender Awareness Week
EVENTS
U of A Set To Celebrate International Education Week Nov. 16-20
The University of Arkansas will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 16-20, with events for the week-long initiative coordinated by the Graduate School and International Education.
International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education as an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange.
More detail and calendar with event can be found here -> Link
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
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.
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.