DEI Common Learning Experiences - Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Transcript

Each year, Oakland University offers faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in a common learning experience aimed at advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

This year’s theme, Belonging, goes beyond inclusion—it’s about cultivating a deep sense of connection, respect, and support within our community.

It’s about recognizing that you are an integral part of something larger, where your unique contributions are celebrated. By nurturing a culture of belonging, we create a space where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

To explore this powerful concept further, I’m excited to introduce The You Belong @ OU DEI Common Learning Experience. Co-facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Center for Excellence in Teaching, and University Recreation and Well-Being, this learning experience is designed to meet you where you are, with flexible formats to suit your needs. It provides opportunities to engage in community activities and events, along with educational materials and resources available through eSpace modules, in-person, and online events.

Here’s how you can get started:
1. Self-enroll in the course.
2. Log in with your Oakland University credentials.
3. Select the “self-enroll” option to begin.

For any assistance, please reach out to Dr. Aura Cazares at [email protected] or (248) 370-3352.

Let’s come together to make this semester not just extraordinary but transformational, as we champion belonging across our campus.

Each year, Oakland University offers faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in a common learning experience aimed at advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

This year’s theme, Belonging, goes beyond inclusion—it’s about cultivating a deep sense of connection, respect and support within our community.

It’s about recognizing that you are an integral part of something larger, where your unique contributions are celebrated. By nurturing a culture of belonging, we create a space where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

To explore this powerful concept further, we are excited to introduce The You Belong @ OU DEI Common Learning Experience. Co-facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Center for Excellence in Teaching, and University Recreation and Well-Being, this learning experience is designed to meet you where you are, with flexible formats to suit your needs. It provides opportunities to engage in community activities and events, along with educational materials and resources available through eSpace modules, in-person, and online events.

Here’s how you can get started:

Self-enroll in the course.
Log in with your Oakland University credentials.
Select the “self-enroll” option to begin.

For any assistance, please reach out to Dr. Aura Cazares at [email protected] or (248) 370-3352.

Let’s come together to make this semester not just extraordinary but transformational, as we champion belonging across our campus.

Diversity Challenge 2023

The Diversity Challenge 2023 invites the OU campus to a common campus experience centering on diverse perspectives and issues, starting on Feb. 20, 2023.

This year’s Challenge has been modified to provide easier access and requiring less of a time commitment for each challenge but still providing participants an opportunity to deepen their common knowledge and appreciation through articles and other media. Participants will be tasked with 10 challenges in 10 workdays over two weeks (with a pause for Winter Break). Each day grants participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge and deepen their understanding in various diversity topics.

All are encouraged to participate and grow in The Diversity Challenge 2023. Enroll in the Diversity Challenge eSpace to complete challenges and demonstrate your commitment to learning and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at OU.

Upon the completion of the Diversity Challenge, participants will receive a digital badge. With this badge, the participant is demonstrating their desire to become more knowledgeable about diversity and their dedication to uphold OU’s values and goals.

Diversity Challenge 2022

The Diversity Challenge invites the OU campus to a common campus experience centering on diverse perspectives and issues.

Over 10 weeks in the Winter 2022 semester, the OU campus will engage in a “weekly challenge,” consisting of learning experiences and reflective discussions relating to diversity, equity and inclusion. Whether this is your first diversity challenge, or you were one of more than the 200 people who joined us last year, all are invited to join us for continual learning, growing, and advocacy.

Enroll in the Diversity Challenge eSpace to complete challenges, talk with others about these learning experiences, and reflect on how learning can translate to action. While some experiences take place on campus, all challenges will have online and asynchronous options. OU staff and faculty will lead challenges on topics include listening and stories, international and linguistic diversity, allyship, gender identity, ableism, race, and more. Some challenges included OU live events and informal conversations.

Upon participating in at least 8-10 challenges, participants will receive a digital badge and certificate marking their commitment to ongoing learning about diversity and inclusion.

Transcript

>> Hello and welcome to the second annual Oakland University Diversity Challenge. I'm Glenn McIntosh , Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer. As we head into the new year and make our annual resolutions, I ask that we also make a collective commitment. A commitment to be better to one another, to stand with each other, to collectively engage, to open ourselves up to different views and to reflect on our own approach to problem-solving. To open the door to this kind of commitment,

I am proud to announce the second annual Diversity Challenge. Similar to last year the challenge will once again the offered by the Office of DEI and CETL and will consist of a series of learning experiences and reflective discussions related to our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion that allows for our continued growth and development. The challenge will be a held throughout the winter semester in a hybrid style meaning there will be both synchronous and asynchronous options for

participation and all challenges will have online components. Each week there will be a theme with multiple ways to engage in presentations, videos, and other media. This year we've invited our OU community members to lead each session allowing us to showcase the amazing work, passion, and expertise of our faculty and staff who will lead challenges on topics including international and linguistic diversity,

allyship, gender equity and identity, ableism, race and more. As we strive to open our minds and our hearts to each other, I encourage you to not only participate in the Diversity Challenge but to openly engage. That will allow all of us to learn from each other. Join me in taking the diversity challenge today. [MUSIC]