Office of Institutional Diversity at Oregon State University

Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when Union Army troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, over two years after its signing. Over time, the holiday has grown to celebrate liberation, community resilience, family and culture within Black and African-American communities.

In 2021, OSU recognized Juneteenth as a paid holiday. In 2022, Juneteenth became a holiday in the state of Oregon.

Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate and honor the past and ongoing resistance, resilience, and contributions of Black people in America. It is also a reminder of the ongoing work to actively learn about racism in America and how it continues to impact communities. For event and opportunities, we encourage you to engaging with OSU’s Library Juneteenth Guide: https://beav.es/pq7.

Happy Juneteenth!

June is here and so is Pride Month!

Pride Month is an opportunity to joyfully celebrate the q***r and trans communities, to acknowledge the progress made towards justice and to honor the history that has brought us to this point, while also recognizing the critical work that lies ahead.
Happy Pride Month!

OSU Employees, don’t forget to check your email for the 2024 Employee Community Climate Survey.

https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cYXzdWgfcYVkPQ2

Results from this survey are a key element of OSU’s efforts to create and sustain an equitable and welcoming community climate.

This survey is completely anonymous and participants may skip any question they wish. Individual survey responses will never be reported, and all qualitative data will be analyzed with strict privacy protocols.

The survey will remain open until 11:59 pm on Friday, May 31.

The State of Diversity is now live- Link in the bio.

Join us for the 2024 State of Diversity on today, May 18 from 12-1:00 pm in the MU Horizon Room, where we will be highlighting and celebrating exceptional initiatives and programs who have promoted diversity, equity and inclusion over the last academic year.

The Oregon Student Association, Disability Rights Oregon and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission are conducting a statewide survey to understand the experiences of disabled students in Oregon’s higher education institutions. Your participation is crucial in helping us gather insights to improve accessibility and inclusivity.

🔗 Take the Survey Here: https://ja2pr58tipo.typeform.com/to/OUo2OV5R

The survey will be open until June 28th and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Survey questions seek to gather valuable insights into the effectiveness of disability accommodations, the accessibility of campus environments, and the overall campus climate for individuals with disabilities

The Office of Institutional Diversity invites you to the 2024 State of Diversity at Oregon State Reception, an event honoring and celebrating the many Oregon State community members who worked for equity and justice over the last academic year.
 

Tuesday, May 28
12 to 1 p.m. 
Horizon Room, Memorial Union on the Corvallis campus

View online at live.oregonstate.edu

The Environmental Health and Safety and the Division of Research and innovation are pleased to offer an interactive workshop to learn how to prevent, intervene in, and effectively report incidents of sexual harassment and assault in field settings. The experts at Field Futures train researchers around the world with the vision that fieldwork should be safe, equitable, and welcoming to people of all identities and backgrounds. In this workshop you will learn to identify the unique risks posed by fieldwork and will utilize evidence-based tools, field ready protocols, and hands on skills practice. Armed with these tools all field participants can learn to prevent, intervene in, and respond to harassment and assault.

Spaces are limited, reserve your spot! Link in the bio.

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month!

Jewish American Heritage Month is celebrated in May to honor the significant contributions and rich cultural history of Jewish Americans, including those right here at OSU!

Helping Others Succeed is their Top Priority.

Kate MacTavish, Gerrad Jones, and José García are the recipients of OSU’s 2023 Outstanding Diversity Advocate awards. Read about their programs and impact at OSU and across the state of Oregon in the latest Taking Action Magazine.

The link can be found in the bio.

Wishing the OSU community a happy Passover!

Passover, also known as Pesach, is a significant Jewish holiday that taking place during the month of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar.

Happy Passover to all those that celebrate!

Addressing Bias in AI.

AI systems are trained by people and the internet by making connections from massive datasets. These inputs lead AI to produce problematic biased outputs that reflect dominant culture.

Eric Slyman, a Ph.D. student in Artificial Intelligence, has built a tool to help AI auditors swiftly and accurately address stereotypes ingrained in AI systems.

Review this story and others by visiting the Taking Action site. The link can be found in the bio.

April is National Arab American Heritage Month!

Arab heritage encompasses diverse cultures, stories, and beliefs, spanning a vast region of the globe.

We encourage you to follow the .osu to learn about events happening throughout the month, including the the history, current struggles and ongoing contribution of Arab Americans at OSU and across the country.

Five ways to support students during Ramadan.

Many consider Ramadan the holiest time of the year and observe the month of connection, charity, and reflection through prayer, fasting and celebration.

1. Ramadan falls during dead and finals week, which is a particularly stressful time for students and staff, compounded by the heartache of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Be alert to those who appear to be struggling emotionally or may require additional support. We have campus resources available to assist.

2. Make Accommodations and Commit to Flexibility: Faculty and staff can review the policies concerning religious observances and practices, and demonstrate flexibility by accommodating students’ needs for prayer, worship, and gatherings during Ramadan

3. Rethink events where food is a central part of the program: During Ramadan, most will fast from all food and water from sunrise to sunset. While food can still be an element of events, consider including other components for people to engage with

4. Learn about what Ramadan: Ramadan can provide a good opportunity to learn more about the beliefs and practices of the second-largest religion in the world

5. If you notice that someone is not fasting, don’t inquire about it. There are many reasons why individuals decide to fast or not, and how people choose to observe Ramadan will vary

Ramadan Mubarak!

Happy Women’s Herstory Month! We hope you can join the .wgc for great line up of events throughout the month!

Earlier this month, Oregon State University, together with 168 colleges and institutions joined an amicus brief in support of MALDEF’s appeal in Texas v. United States, the case involving the legality of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
 
DACA has been tremendously successful, offering temporary protection from deportation & the ability to work legally to nearly 600,000 young people. Nearly 29% of the 141,000 DACA-eligible higher education students are enrolled in a graduate or professional program.

Learn more about DACA by reading the amicus brief here: bit.ly/47Wgbo8

2024 Diversity Research Reception

Join us to celebrate the valuable contributions of OSU researchers towards creating a more just and equitable world.

RSVP link in the bio.

Wednesday, March 20
12 to 1 p.m.

Corvallis campus: Horizon Room, Memorial Union
OSU-Cascades (Hybrid with in-person component): Obsidian 207
Virtual viewing option available

Have you recently published on topics related to equity or a broader societal impact that works towards a more just future?

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AND CELEBRATE YOU! SUBMIT YOUR PUBLICATIONS BY FEBRUARY 12

The 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Keynote Speaker has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We hope to reschedule the event for later date and will communicate details if and when they are available.

A great deal of effort went into planning this event, and we appreciate the contributions of all our volunteers and partners, including the OSU Foundation and Alumni Association, the Lonni B. Harris Black Cultural Center and University Events.

The is hosting a series of Black History Month events throughout February. We encourage community members to continue learning about the history, achievements and perseverance of communities from the past to the present.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards honor members of the Oregon State community who carry Dr. King’s message and vision for a more just society forward into the present.

Four legacy awards are Presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration committee. Of the many deserving nominations, we are excited to announce this year’s recipients:

Phyllis S. Lee Award
Dr. Susan Rowe, Director, Precollege Programs

Frances Dancy Hooks Award
Dr. Dr. Iván Carbajal, Assistant Professor, School of Psychological Science

Oscar Humberto Montemayor Award
Faisal Osman, Senior, Public Policy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Legacy Award
Dr. George Cabrera, ’68, Ed.M. ’69, Ed.M. ’72,

Read more about this year’s award recipients by visiting https://beav.es/qVv

Award recipients will be announced on Jan. 31, 7pm, at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration keynote. Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor’s keynote address, titled “The Radical King: Martin Luther King, Jr’s Quest to Reconstruct America”, will explore Dr. King’s transformative vision for the nation, which remains just as relevant today. Registration for the keynote is still open.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration continues throughout the rest of January, with workshops, lectures, and more – all designed to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and how we can carry forward his vision in the present context. A few upcoming events:


MLK, Music, and the Radical Imagination
Monday, Jan. 22 at 4:00pm
Memorial Union 208
Hosted by: United Academics of Oregon State

Difficult Conversations: The University’s Role in Restoring Civic Dialogue with Drs. Robert George and Cornel West
Monday, Jan. 22 at 7:00pm to 8:30pm
LaSells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium
Sponsored by College of Business, Office of the Provost

Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner
Thursday, January 25 at 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez
Host by Black Student Union

The Radical King: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Quest to Reconstruct America
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Keynote Lecture
Wednesday, January 31 at 7:00pm
LaSells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium

We encourage you attend some of the events for continued reflection on how we can continue to work towards amore just and inclusive society.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor will serve as this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration keynote speaker.

Taylor’s keynote address, titled “The Radical King: Martin Luther King, Jr’s Quest to Reconstruct America,” will explore Dr. King’s vision for the nation that is just as relevant today.

7 p.m.
Jan. 31
The LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis campus,
Streaming option available

Register at: beav.es/MLK

We commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is a time to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy as an activist, peacemaker, visionary, and fierce champion for creating change through non-violence actions.

We also honor those who continue to work towards Dr. King’s vision of a just society at OSU, the Corvallis community and the broader society. In reflection, what can you do in your communities to work towards a more just and inclusive world?

We regretfully announce that the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Breakfast, scheduled for Jan. 15, is cancelled due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions. The Peace March scheduled to follow the Breakfast is also cancelled. 

Recipients of the Legacy Awards will be announced soon. We look forward to sharing with you the nominees and highlighting the achievements of recipients. Look for details in the coming week. 

We planned this year’s menu with Mishjacks Catering in Eugene. We are working with Chef Tamisha Heacox-Jackson and her team to distribute the prepared food to a local food pantry. 

Despite the cancellation of this year’s event, a great deal of effort went in to creating a meaningful and memorable event. We appreciate the efforts of all of our volunteers and partners in planning, including the OSU Foundation and Alumni Association and the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center.  
 
While the Peace Breakfast and March are cancelled, other Commemoration events will continue as scheduled. Please visit the Commemoration Events page to find additional ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy at OSU. 
 
We also hope to see you at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Keynote Event on Wednesday, Jan. 31 with Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American studies at Princeton University and a 2021 MacArthur Foundation Fellow. Dr. Taylor’s keynote address, titled “The Radical King: Martin Luther King, Jr’s Quest to Reconstruct America”, will explore Dr. King’s transformative vision for the nation. Registration found in the bio.

Space for the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Breakfast is filling up quickly!

The annual Peace Breakfast, held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while honoring members of the Oregon State community who carry his message and work forward in the present.

The Peace Breakfast is free and open to Oregon State University community members. Advanced registration is required: beav.es/MLK

🕯️ Happy Kwanzaa! 🕯️

Kwanzaa spans seven days, and each day a candle is lit to highlight the principle of that day:
1. Umoja (Unity)
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
5. Nia (Purpose)
6. Kuumba (Creativity)
7. Imani (Faith)

Warm wishes to all those celebrating the start of Kwanzaa!

Say Hey! Is coming to Corvallis.

Join us at the Say Hey! Event on Feb 27, 2024, hosted by Portland Partners in Diversity at OSU.

Say Hey! Is the largest multicultural networking event in Oregon and southwest Washington, connecting local businesses, community members, and professionals of color. The goal is to help build community, deepen connections, and create an environment where everyone is welcomed. Employees of Color are honored at the event and encouraged to register as honorees. Community members and allies are encouraged to attend also to support building community and connections. Registration is now open, but space is limited: https://www.partnersindiversity.org/program/say-hey/

The annual Peace Breakfast, held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while honoring members of the Oregon State community who carry his message and work forward in the present. The Peace Breakfast is free and open to Oregon State University community members. Advanced registration is required: beav.es/MLK

Submit your Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Events by Friday, Dec. 22.

Colleges, departments, units, offices and individuals breathe life into the Commemoration by organizing events throughout the week to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Past events have included art shows, spoken word performances, interfaith celebrations, workshops, dialogues, lectures and panels.

Click link in the bio to submit your events

Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing all students, faculty, and staff who celebrate a joyous and illuminated Festival of Lights!

Taking Action: The magazine of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Oregon State University, Issue 11 - https://mailchi.mp/23f8df723585/taking-action-the-newsletter-of-the-office-of-institutional-diversity-at-oregon-state-university-issue-12672236 Featuring stories about people, projects and programs advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Oregon State.