Hello, there! Have you seen these three trees in front of Sutcliffe? Every time I pass them, I think, how great it is to be close to some thing else like them, to rest in each others' shade, and to be able to grow together. It's a metaphor, right, for the work our office does. We hope to bring people together, help people grow together, and support each other through the journey.
Updates
Do you have questions about the Intercultural Suite? Take a tour with our students in the video below. For any lingering questions, please reach out to Ashley Oliver, Director of Diversity and Inclusion Programming, at ashley.oliver@centre.edu.
Interested in being more involved with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion? Consider attending one of our regular programs: Turn up @ the Suite, Centre-ing Art & Culture, and Beloved Community Lunches. See the flier below or check your emails for more information.
Recap
ODI has a Diversity Updates page on CentreNet with an events calendar, information about programming, and the ODI Matters archives.
Over the summer, we had an amazing time connecting with students in the Whitney M. Young Scholars Program and the Compass Program as well as getting our student leaders ready for this semester with Orientation Leader training, Residence Life training, and various Orientation events.
Quick Takes
Centre's Ally Training Series (CATS) has been transformed into a series of one-hour (ish) session on foundational and secondary topics, including, but not limited to LGBTQIA+ 101, Gender Identities, Intersectionalities, Advocacy, Pronouns and Gender Inclusive Language, Privilege, and more! We are offering sessions both during the day and at night, and by request. Please visit the CATS Homepage to read more, find the schedule, and register for a session today!
TIX Corner
Over the summer, the Title IX Office has been working to update their website as well as their informational materials. You can view their Culture of Caring website to find more information about the 2018 Centre Speaks Survey, Resources & Support, the Title IX Team, etc. On their Ongoing Efforts page, you can see some of the learning opportunities and reach out to Sarah Cramer, Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Manager, at sarah.cramer@centre.edu to learn more.
HERConnect
This fall semester, HERC is offering several Free Webinars that are are welcome to register and attend. You can find the sessions and descriptions below, or you can go to HERC's Event page to learn more and register. If you have any questions, please feel encouraged to reach out to Meredith Bruner, the Greater Kentucky HERC Regional Director and our HR Operations Manager.
Upcoming events:
- Welcome Party / Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday, 9/14 (Location TBD)
- Intercultural Retreat on Saturday 9/21 at Camp Horsin’ Around
- Family Friendship (Host Family) Program (ongoing)
- International Conversation Hour on Thursday 9/12 (and continuing every other Thursday) from 4:00p-5:30p in Young 246
Please visit the Chinese Club and International Student Association tables at EXPO for more details on this year’s joint Welcome Party and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations as well as information on an upcoming Intercultural Retreat which hopes to focus on building empathy and empowerment for both international and domestic students.
Thank you to all who expressed interest in the Family Friendship (Host Family) Program. For updates on matching and the initial meet-and-greet between host families and students, please reach out to Karen Tubb (karen.tubb@centre.edu). Karen Tubb will also host International Conversation Hour this school year. Note that ICH is intended to be an informal gathering open for all students, faculty, and staff who want to relax and converse together. Participants might play games or discuss questions, family traditions, favorite foods, holiday customs, etc.
Religious Life
Voluntary book groups will be formed for campus community members interested in reading and discussing James A. Grymes’ Violins of Hope: Violins of the Holocaust – Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour in advance of an October 23rd evening event at Bellarmine University in Louisville. Free copies of the book and free transportation to the event will be provided thanks to a grant from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence. For more information, contact Dr. Shana Sippy (shana.sippy@centre.edu). Additional campus events related to Jewish life, culture, and history will be shared in the next issue of ODI Matters!
The Religious Life Office has shared the Religious Holiday Calendar via email. At the time of these holidays, watch for emails from the Religious Life Office about the meaning of each celebration. And be sure to wish a meaningful observance to your friends from these traditions. You can also view their webpage from the link below to see more information about local congregations, religious fellowship on campus, and religious holidays & activities. For more information about Religious Life, please contact Dr. Rick Axtell.
Calendar
Visit our ODI Calendar to see events, holidays, and important dates. You can view this calendar and our archives of ODI Matters at our Centrenet Site.
September 3, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community: Our Stories. Join us in the Intercultural Suite with your lunch as we get to know each other better by telling our own stories to each other. Everyone has a story and is encouraged to share.
September 4, 11:30a-12:30p, Centre-ing Art and Culture Series, Intercultural Suite. Create your own art during our series as we delve into learning about our identities and cultures through art.
September 5, 6:00p-8:00p, Expo, Walnut Street. Expo is a time for student organizations and campus offices to show us what they are made of. Be sure to stop by and learn about the various student organizations that can support you in your identities. You can also say hi to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and pick up our brand new swag in the process. See you there.
September 5, 8:30p, Meet the Sigmas, Ewen Room. Members of a Lexington graduate chapter of Phi Beta Sigma will be on campus to share their experiences and let you know how to get involved. If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Ashley Oliver or Scotty Rainwater.
September 12, 4:00p-5:30p, Young 246, International Conversation Hour. This event will continue every Thursday thereafter. ICH is intended to be an informal gathering open for all students, faculty, and staff who want to relax and converse together. Participants might play games or discuss questions, family traditions, favorite foods, holiday customs, etc.
September 12, 8:00p, Crounse 302. Life Raft. Cultivating a healthy relationship with alcohol and drugs. For more information, email liferaft@centre.edu.
September 17, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community: Courageous Conversations, Intercultural Suite. For curious and respectful inquiry around current events related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. Topic to be announced on our social media. Bring your lunch and dive in!
September 18, 11:30a-12:30p, Turn Up @ The Suite, Intercultural Suite. Whether you've never been to the Intercultural Suite before or you spend all of your free time there, drop in to say hello, check out our library, and hang out with staff from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
September 19, 11:30a-12:30p, Ampersand on Campus Drop-In Space, Presentation Screening Room of the Library. You are invited to speak with an Ampersand counselor/educator at this time. More information about their free, confidential services is available on their website. To make an appointment, contact the Danville office at (859) 236-4445.
September 19, 7:15p-8:15p, CATS: LGBTQIA+ 101. Registration required. This objectives of this session are to develop a basic vocabulary around LGBTQIA+ identities and concepts, a fundamental and diverse understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences, and practical skills/action plans. View more information and the full schedule at the CATS webpage.
September 23, 11:30a-12:30p, CATS: LGBTQIA+ 101. Registration required. This objectives of this session are to develop a basic vocabulary around LGBTQIA+ identities and concepts, a fundamental and diverse understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences, and practical skills/action plans. View more information and the full schedule at the CATS webpage.
September 29, Rosh Hashanah begins. View the Religious Life webpage to learn more.
October 1, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community: Our Stories. Join us in the Intercultural Suite with your lunch as we get to know each other better by telling our own stories to each other. Everyone has a story and is encouraged to share.
October 1, 7:30p-9:30p, Russian Renaissance, Norton Center for the Arts, ticketed event. Through stunning performances of everything from tango and folk to Classical and jazz, Russian Renaissance is redefining the possibilities of their traditional Russian folk instruments (balalaika, domra/domra alto, button accordion, and balalaika contrabasso) and capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. What makes Russian Renaissance truly special is their ability to both dazzle with breathtaking style and touch the hearts of listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
This calendar is meant to capture events on campus addressing issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity. It is not an exhaustive list. If you have events in upcoming months that you would like to see featured, please email them to Jo Teut at jo.teut@centre.edu prior to the 25th of each month.