University Council on Diversity

Council Charge

The University Council on Diversity was established in 2003 to move SUNY Oneonta forward in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and bias-free environment.

The Council continues its work toward valuing differences, fostering inclusion and supporting excellence; Its structure and charge was redefined in 2020 to reflect the changing needs of the institution and to foster a broader campus involvement in DEI issues. The Council will work to foster DEI and inclusivity through an Advisory Committee to the President and its five subcommittees.

Council Membership

University Advisory Committee

The University Advisory Committee is made up of the five subcommittee co-chairs and the chair (appointed by the president). The University Advisory Committee serves as the University Council on Diversity steering committee. The University Council on Diversity chair convenes a monthly steering committee meeting. The Advisory Committee meets with the president and the CDO quarterly and as needed.

University Council on Diversity Chair

Dr. Bernadette Tiapo, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer

University Council on Diversity Subcommittees

Each University Council on Diversity subcommittee is made up of faculty, staff and students. Each subcommittee defines the framework and schedule of its activities based on charge.

The five subcommittees are charged with one of the following areas:

• campus climate
• faculty, staff and student advocacy and support
• community outreach, communication and membership
• inclusive excellence, and
• strategic planning and assessment
  

Campus Climate Subcommittee

Co-chairs

• Pathy Leiva, Director, Access and Opportunities Programs

Members

• Jenny Bagby, Coordinator, Accessibility Resources
• Cameron Conover, Head Men’s Basketball Coach
• Summer Cunningham, Assistant Professor Communication Studies
• Alejandra Escudero, Professor, World Languages and Literatures
• Emmon Johnson, Customer Support Solutions Specialist
• Samantha Kaminski, Student
• Robert Kirk, Assistant Professor of Psychology
• J Lentner, Director, Student Accounts Office
• Brent McGrady, University Police Officer 1
• Sean Shannon, Lecturer of Law, School of Liberal Arts and Business
• Betty Wambui, Professor, Africana and Latinx Studies

Charge

• Campus Climate Survey – assist with the administration and presentation of results
• Follow-up on outcomes, in collaboration with Strategic Planning Subcommittee
• Updates to campus community
• Active collaboration with BART, Office of Title IX and Affirmative Action
• Campus climate related discussions

Areas of focus

• Establish and advertise an online access point for members of the SUNY Oneonta community to provide feedback related to campus climate.
• Hold at least one forum/meeting to communicate data and trends related to our current campus climate and/or to invite additional feedback from the campus community.

Faculty, Staff, and Student Advocacy and Support Subcommittee

Co-chairs

• Emily Stewart, Associate Director, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center & OEI Program Associate
• Matthew Hendley, Professor, History
• Jeannine Webster, Accessibility Counselor, The Student Learning Center

Members

• James Damico, Area Coordinator, Higgins Hall
• Angie Eichler, Associate Director Student Life and Leadership
• Denise Leinonen, Global Program Coordinator, Office of Global Education
• Chelsea McCracken, Assistant Professor of Media Studies
• Kelly Spettel, Administrative Assistant, School of Economics and Business
• Ashley Allen, Assistant Professor, Geography + Environmental Sustainability
• Lester Lamoree, Administrative Assistant, Office of Global Education
• Lori Wienke, Acquisitions and Electronic Resources Librarian
• Samantha Mosca, Career Counselor for Career Development

Charge

• Concerned with discussions and suggestions geared towards retention efforts; for example, the establishment and/or reinforcement of
• Mentoring programs
• Affinity groups
• New employee welcome /Get together opportunities
• Collaborations with Faculty Learning Center, Human Resources etc.
• Concerned with discussions and suggestions on equity related issues
• Collaboration with Affirmative Action Officer and Human Resources
• Assist with developing and reviewing DEI related policies

Areas of focus

• Evaluate how our institution currently cultivates and supports marginalized identities within faculty, staff, and students.
• Create opportunities to continue to build trust and strengthen networking across campus.

Community Outreach and Engagement Subcommittee

Co-Chairs

• Deb Bruce, Program Aide, Office of Facilities and Safety
• Wesley Bernard, Assistant Professor, Art

Members

• Suzanne Black, Associate Professor, English
• Kelly Gallagher, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Laura Lincoln, Director, Office of Alumni Engagement
• Bryce Wooden, Counselor/Recruiter, Educational Opportunity Program
• Dawn Sohns, Visiting Lecturer, Communication & Media
• Rabbi Meir Rubashkin

Charge

• Develop networking opportunities with community organizations to better understand the role of DEI in their operations.
• Partner with community organizations to plan and organize at least one DEI related event each semester.
• In collaboration with the OEI, University Council on Diversity Campus Climate Subcommittee, CRJIE, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and belonging at Hartwick, and other community partners, establish and coordinate an Annual Business Inclusive Award through the administration of a short survey to all students and employees each spring semester. Plan a recognition ceremony for award recipient(s).
• Work with the OEI to plan and organize an annual Campus and Community DEI Fest/Celebration and Recognition event each fall semester.
• In partnership with the OEI, University Council on Diversity, Campus Climate Subcommittee, CRJIE and Hartwick Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, develop and administer a needs assessment survey to community businesses and organizations. Share data with the OEI for targeted actions.

Inclusive Excellence Subcommittee

Co-chairs

• Chelsea McCracken, Assistant Professor, Communication and Media
• Chloe Diamond-Lenow, Assistant Professor, Women's and Gender Studies

Members:

• Apurva Apurva, Visiting Assistant Professor
• Tracy Betsinger, Professor, of Anthropology
• Dr. Shahin Kachwala, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies
• Kirsten Kemmerer, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Human Services, and Crime Studies
• Dorothy Rombo, Associate Professor, Child and Family Studies
• Alanna Rudzik, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology
• Nicole Waid, Assistant Professor, Secondary Education and Educational Technology
• Davelyn Whyte-Johnson, Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program
• Suriati Abas, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education + Reading
• Roberto Rincon, Assistant Professor, Africana and Latinx Studies

Charge

• Inclusive curriculum initiatives in collaboration with the Faculty Learning Center
• Discussions and suggestions on student advocacy related to the classroom environment
• Tapestry of Diversity Award planning and organization
• Collaboration with other subcommittees, offices and programs to obtain data for suggestions of targeted trainings for the campus community
• Recommendations for outside trainings and/or webinars
• Assist with facilitating trainings, as necessary, in collaboration with other departments

Areas of focus

• Develop a sub-committee for the Tapestry of Diversity and Inclusion Award.
• Hold conversations based on scenarios that faculty face in the classrooms around issues of diversity and inclusion as a possible model for some faculty training in the future.

Strategic Planning and Assessment Subcommittee

Co-chairs

• Joshua Nelson, Assessment Specialist, Office of Institutional Assessment
• Elyse Purcell, Assistant Professor, Philosophy

Members:

• Dawn Hamlin, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling and Special Education
• Bill Harceleroad, Director of Campus Activites and Leadership
• Penina Kamina, Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
• Trudy Thomas-Smith, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Kiyoko Yokota, Associate Professor of Biology and Biological Field Station Researcher
• Karen Brown, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment
• Erin Francisco, Assistant Director of DEI Projects & Initiatives

Charge

• Assist with the coordination and development of DEI Strategic Plan, in collaboration with campus constituents
• Assist with monitoring of implementation of the strategic plan and continuous assessment efforts
• Assist with facilitating regular campus updates on DEI Strategic Plan progress
• Identification of focus areas for annual Learning Outcomes.

Areas of focus

• Collect evidence for the 2020 Diversity Report. Examine measures used for success and ultimately identify shared success and opportunities for future focus.