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By Kiki Bennett, Abby Koch, and Iandra Estupinian
When you think of the Midwest, diversity is probably not the first thing thought. This is an issue that the Morningside Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI ) committee is trying to address.
The goal for the DEI committee is to be able to host “events that can [...] foster campus engagement and encourage campus conversations. What we really want to know is [...] what people think and feel about diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus right now.” said Carly Hanson, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
DEI is working to create programming and training to help educate the Morningside population on diversity. One thing that sets the DEI committee apart from different organizations on campus is that it is made up of three faculty, three staff, and one student, with the hope to open the committee up to more members in the future. Having a committee like this administration is better able to “address specific needs rather than imagining what these needs are '' says Dr. Stacey Alex of Morningside College.
An official proposal for the DEI Committee is underway that will set the official education standards for the committee to meet and help educate the rest of the campus community. This official proposal is expected to be presented at the board of directors meeting at the end of the semester.
Having a mix of faculty, staff, and students on this committee better equips them to hear the needs of the community, specifically the students. “We have to listen to what the students are saying because [DEI] is for the students,” said Andre McWell, Director of Persistence and Diversity, when speaking on the importance of student faculty, and staff in this committee.
Coach Brian Farris
Carly Hanson
Andre McWell
Professor Stacey Alex
When it comes to involving students on the DEI committee, Morningside Swim Coach Brian Farris said, “Just because I maybe have some brilliant ideas doesn't mean that that's the way we should go so we want to make sure that we're getting perspective from everyone, that that is affected by it and wants to have input.” Everyone having an input, especially the student has become a common narrative among many of the members of the DEI committee.
One of the main goals of the DEI committee is to implement training at the college in order to educate people, “For me,[...], it’s an opportunity to educate. So every time I get an opportunity to educate, I’m going to do that,” said McWell. Moreover, education on how to understand and address racial slurs and hateful language on campus.
Dr. Alex stressed the importance of educating not only students but faculty and staff on who they can talk to. This information is on the DEI website, “ But again, who in a time of crisis is gonna look up on a website who you can talk to,” said Dr. Alex.
Hanson spoke on the importance of students understanding the difference between mandatory reporters and confidential sources. “if you come to the DEI Committee and you had something really unfortunate or upsetting happen to you, that we feel like we need to report, it is mandatory for us to report it.” explained Hanson.
The Morningside DEI committee is also charged with creating programming surrounding the topics and issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion. “ it doesn't have to be equal, but it does have to be equitable in terms of representing all of our different minority communities, whether it be LGBTQ issues or, ethnic and racial identities.” says Dr. Alex about creating programming for DEI.
The focus for DEI is to be a place that can foster conversations over the issues on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We want people to be involved and we want to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly so that we can make it better for the future.” said Hanson
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