Program promotes diversity, mission
Jenna Grant
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: News
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Gonzaga University's Diversity Awareness series, titled "Building Our House through Community Storytelling and Careful Listening," kicked off with its first session Friday, Sept. 23.
The first lecture in this eight-part series, "Laying the Foundation of our House: Creating a Common Language and a Common Understanding of Diversity," was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall. The Office of Human Resources, the Diversity Office and the Staff Assembly are sponsoring the series.
The program was designed to create a shared understanding of how to bring the University's mission to life through appreciating and learning from diversity, according to a Sept. 15 University news release.
This series is a continuation of a nine-month diversity awareness program that was offered to staff last year and called the Diversity Passport Program. The intent for both programs has been the same: to make the University more aware of diversity and racial issues.
"We want to create a welcoming, interculturally competent, diverse community, which respects and honors the dignity of all people," Jason Swain, University training and development manager, said.
The first session began with a short performance by the choir, followed by four presentations. Each presentation served more as a group discussion than a lecture.
"Starting with the choir was phenomenal and incredibly powerful," Anna Gonzales, activities coordinator and a participant in last year's diversity program, said. "This year was great because it was much more interactive and I feel like we are going to accomplish something that could change the climate here at Gonzaga."
"We as a community need to make sure that the University is a welcoming place for everyone, and by going to sessions like these we can make sure that we are more aware of our actions and words to not inadvertently hurt someone," Gonzales said.
This year's series is no longer just for staff. It is an opportunity for "the entire University - students, faculty and staff - to literally co-author a book detailing our collective hopes and dreams for creating a welcoming diverse community," according to an e-mail from Dean of Student Services Beth Hellwig-Olson.
The first lecture in this eight-part series, "Laying the Foundation of our House: Creating a Common Language and a Common Understanding of Diversity," was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall. The Office of Human Resources, the Diversity Office and the Staff Assembly are sponsoring the series.
The program was designed to create a shared understanding of how to bring the University's mission to life through appreciating and learning from diversity, according to a Sept. 15 University news release.
This series is a continuation of a nine-month diversity awareness program that was offered to staff last year and called the Diversity Passport Program. The intent for both programs has been the same: to make the University more aware of diversity and racial issues.
"We want to create a welcoming, interculturally competent, diverse community, which respects and honors the dignity of all people," Jason Swain, University training and development manager, said.
The first session began with a short performance by the choir, followed by four presentations. Each presentation served more as a group discussion than a lecture.
"Starting with the choir was phenomenal and incredibly powerful," Anna Gonzales, activities coordinator and a participant in last year's diversity program, said. "This year was great because it was much more interactive and I feel like we are going to accomplish something that could change the climate here at Gonzaga."
"We as a community need to make sure that the University is a welcoming place for everyone, and by going to sessions like these we can make sure that we are more aware of our actions and words to not inadvertently hurt someone," Gonzales said.
This year's series is no longer just for staff. It is an opportunity for "the entire University - students, faculty and staff - to literally co-author a book detailing our collective hopes and dreams for creating a welcoming diverse community," according to an e-mail from Dean of Student Services Beth Hellwig-Olson.