questions posed in advance of and during the listening session
questions posed in advance of and during the listening session
questions posed in advance of and during the listening session
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I believe that each college on campus should have a <strong>of</strong>fice for diversity <strong>and</strong> this <strong>of</strong>ficeshould be encouraged to work with University wide diversity <strong>of</strong>fice. What’s your commenton this?I know what it is like to be treated like a second-class employee. I have worked here a longtime <strong>and</strong> heard many comments about <strong>the</strong> low consideration <strong>of</strong> employees who workdirectly with <strong>the</strong> public/students (<strong>the</strong> "h<strong>and</strong>s on people"). Often staff who are <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>barga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g unit. It is so bad <strong>in</strong> my area that staff one level up on <strong>the</strong> hierarchy will not evenlook at those below or return a polite greet<strong>in</strong>g. We are a smaller unit <strong>and</strong> most staff knowone ano<strong>the</strong>r by face if not name. Be<strong>in</strong>g made to feel like you are <strong>in</strong>visible or not worthrecognition beg<strong>in</strong>s to eat at your self worth. How can one serve <strong>the</strong> students well if one isconstantly be<strong>in</strong>g told <strong>in</strong> subtle <strong>and</strong> not so subtle ways that you are <strong>of</strong> little value? I once hadan adm<strong>in</strong>istrator tell me that "you people" were not very happy when he worked <strong>in</strong> my area.How can we accept diversity when we th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong> one ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> such limited ways? How canyou work to improve <strong>the</strong> climate for staff <strong>of</strong> low status who also may not be diverse staff? Adouble whammy.I recently attended a presentation by CEO Sondra Samuels, <strong>of</strong> Northside Achievement ZonePromise Neighborhood. She enlightened us on <strong>the</strong> story beh<strong>in</strong>d this groundbreak<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>itiative. Their philosophy is to br<strong>in</strong>g Families <strong>and</strong> Children through a “pre-natal to career”pipel<strong>in</strong>e that provides comprehensive support. They stated some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir greatest needs<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs as simple as adults becom<strong>in</strong>g mentors to <strong>the</strong> program through programssuch as Big Bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Big Sisters. S<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> University has many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> resources available,<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a massive workforce, how will <strong>the</strong> University be a partner with this <strong>in</strong>itiative bynotify<strong>in</strong>g employees where <strong>the</strong> needs are (without exercis<strong>in</strong>g control over <strong>the</strong> program) <strong>and</strong>support<strong>in</strong>g many aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Northside Achievement Zone?I regret that I will be facilitat<strong>in</strong>g a faculty plann<strong>in</strong>g retreat (at which we will discussimplementation <strong>of</strong> a new Diversity Plan) at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>session</strong>. How can we move<strong>in</strong>stitutionally to promote a shift <strong>of</strong> perspective along <strong>the</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>uum <strong>of</strong> "<strong>in</strong>clusive" to"awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> essential resources that only diverse viewpo<strong>in</strong>ts yield" to "educat<strong>in</strong>g foreffectiveness <strong>in</strong> an essentially diverse society"? Kudos for sponsor<strong>in</strong>g this <strong>session</strong>!I th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>the</strong> climate needs to be improved for all staff. How can you work on mak<strong>in</strong>g this abetter place to work for all staff?I would be curious to know if <strong>the</strong> University could take a position on <strong>the</strong> marriageamendment that will be presented to <strong>the</strong> M<strong>in</strong>nesota voters this fall. My hope is that <strong>the</strong>ywould oppose <strong>the</strong> amendment.If embrac<strong>in</strong>g diversity means <strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>g people to participate <strong>in</strong> def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> culture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>in</strong>stitution ra<strong>the</strong>r than simply adapt<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>g culture, how do we go about mak<strong>in</strong>g<strong>the</strong> U <strong>of</strong> M more malleable <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>of</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g a more <strong>in</strong>clusive culture?In what ways do you believe departments <strong>and</strong> areas can best foster <strong>in</strong>clusive environmentsto promote diversity <strong>and</strong> provide support for diverse staff members <strong>and</strong> students?Is anyone work<strong>in</strong>g on keep<strong>in</strong>g track <strong>of</strong> visuals presented by U <strong>of</strong> MN to reflect students,staff, faculty? We have <strong>the</strong> largest urban Native American population <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S., yet can'trecall ever see<strong>in</strong>g that m<strong>in</strong>ority represented <strong>in</strong> any U <strong>of</strong> MN related news release,advertisement, etc. Why is <strong>the</strong>re still a photo <strong>of</strong> 4 white males smok<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> C<strong>of</strong>fmanelevator? Am guess<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>y are a famous b<strong>and</strong> -- but for anyone who isn't familiar with <strong>the</strong>b<strong>and</strong> it just communicates boys will be boys, <strong>and</strong> isn't that fun -- isn't <strong>the</strong>re a ban onsmok<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> U <strong>of</strong> MN build<strong>in</strong>gs?Is <strong>the</strong> University plann<strong>in</strong>g to step up <strong>and</strong> publicly oppose <strong>the</strong> pro<strong>posed</strong> marriageamendment, which will be on <strong>the</strong> ballot this year? Will <strong>the</strong> U <strong>of</strong> M st<strong>and</strong> up <strong>and</strong> be a leaderwhen it comes to m<strong>in</strong>ority civil rights as it has done <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> past, or is <strong>the</strong>re too much fear <strong>of</strong>retaliation from <strong>the</strong> legislature <strong>and</strong> special <strong>in</strong>terest groups?It's hard work<strong>in</strong>g with people that don't underst<strong>and</strong> English. Jobs have to be expla<strong>in</strong>ed over<strong>and</strong> over. Why can't it be a requirement <strong>of</strong> positions to underst<strong>and</strong> English with a test tocheck that that is so? Maybe English classes?3