Staff Senate Communication Symposium

“Working Towards a More Inclusive Campus” was the theme of the Fall Communications Symposium, hosted by The Staff Senate and the Office of Human Resources on Thursday, Nov. 14. Elizabeth M. Garcia, J.D., Title IX Coordinator and Executive Director, Office of Equity & Diversity, was welcomed as the guest presenter for the semi-annual event, which was attended by University faculty and staff.

Garcia reminded attendees that students, faculty and staff all play a part in creating an environment that makes students feel comfortable and creates a healthy working environment. A variety of hands-on learning experiences are available, including the Diversity & Inclusion Lunch and Learn Series and Title IX Refresher on Required Reporting, both of which were offered this fall. One more Title IX Required Reporter Refresher is available this semester, on Monday, Nov. 25, at 11:30 a.m. in Brennan Hall’s Pearn Auditorium.

The OED’s website also offers a wealth of resources such as Tool Kits for Inclusionary Hiring and Safe Colleges online training. Monthly suggested trainings are available through Safe Colleges, and over 275 employees have completed the current Discrimination Awareness in the Workplace course. Garcia stressed that anything relating to Title IX that comes from their office is mandatory; all other trainings are optional. She and her OED colleagues are open to feedback on future in-person and online topics.

Garcia also touched on one updated and one new policy that took effect on Friday, Nov. 1. Additional educational sessions are being offered on the Americans With Disabilities Reasonable Accommodation Policies on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 2:00 p.m. and on the Religious Accommodation Policy on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Brennan Hall’s Pearn Auditorium. A new Pregnancy Accommodation Policy is in the works and will soon be submitted to the President’s Cabinet for consideration. If approved, information sessions will also be available on that policy.

More information on events, trainings, and additional resources can be found on the OED’s website here.