3rd Floor
Office 335
At Worcester State University, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social and racial justice are advanced through each and every one of the DEI committees charged with different aspects of, and approaches to, immediate action, and short and long term initiatives.
Those committees are outlined here:
Campus Climate Committee
The Campus Climate Committee (CCC) works collaboratively on a multi-stage approach to evaluate diversity, inclusion and equity, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data, to propose, design, and assess short and long-term systemic initiatives.
Charge
- To effectuate the University’s mission: Worcester State University champions academic excellence in a diverse, student-centered environment that fosters scholarship, creativity, and global awareness. A Worcester State education equips students with knowledge and skills necessary for lives of professional accomplishment, engaged citizenship, and intellectual growth; and
- To implement the President’s Five Point Plan of Action, Toward a More Inclusive Campus Climate:
- classroom context
- student engagement
- cross-racial interactions
- cultural competency training
- diversity in all hiring processes
- To report activities and recommendations to the President annually.
Composition
The Provost will serve as the executive chair of CCC, with 2 co-chairs (1 staff, 1 faculty) who will assist in convening meetings, lead data-based conversations, and ensure committee work is completed. Ideally, the CCC will have a minimum of 4 faculty, 4 staff, and 3 students. The Assistant Vice President of Employee Services, and AAEO, the Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity will both serve as ex-officio members.
Commitment
The CCC will meet once per month during the academic year as a large group to share subcommittee findings. Subcommittee meetings will meet once per month during the academic year. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and serve for a minimum 2-year period.
2022 Spring Semester Committee Membership
- Laxmi Bissoondial
- Alexandra Burgess
- Amber Dumas
- Maria Isabel Gariepy (Ex-Officio)
- Stacey Luster (Ex-Officio)
- Nabin Malakar
- Mary Jo Marion
- Edgar Moros (Co-Chair)
- Dana Rognlie
- Karen Shalev
- Alexander Tarr
- Henry Theriault
- Lois Wims (Executive Co-chair)
Meeting Dates
Date | Time |
---|---|
February 4, 2022 | 2pm |
March 4, 2022 | 2pm |
April 8, 2022 | 11am |
May 19, 2022 | 11am |
Supporting Documents
Campus Climate Committee Report – May 2021
Campus Climate Committee Report – May 2020
Advisory Committee for Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Affirmative Action
The Advisory Committee for Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Affirmative Action is explicitly derived from the state-wide Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Affirmative Action Plan.
Charge
- To serve as an advisory group to the President;
- To evaluate institutional compliance with respect to all equal opportunity, diversity, and affirmative action programs, and to recommend appropriate strategies to the President;
- To keep informed as to federal and state laws and regulations as well as institutional policies impacting equal opportunity, diversity, and affirmative action; and
- To make recommendations (annually) to the President as well as respective campus and governance committees concerning effective implementation of the University’s Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Affirmative Action Plan.
Composition
The advisory committee will have 2 co-chairs (1 staff, 1 faculty) and will be comprised of a minimum of 2 faculty, 4 staff, and 2 students. The Assistant Vice President of Employee Services, and AAEO, the Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity will both serve as ex-officio members.
Commitment
The committee will meet three times per semester, in addition to subcommittee meetings. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and serve for a minimum 2-year period.
2022 Spring Semester Committee Membership
- Midaly Carasquillo
- Marilyn Cleary
- Adam Dullea
- Adrian Gage
- Maria Isabel Gariepy (Ex-officio)
- Charlotte Haller
- Stacey Luster (Ex-officio)
- Frances Manocchio (Co-chair)
- Cara Powers
- Mark Wagner
- Marc Wagoner (Co-chair)
Meeting Dates
Date | Time |
---|---|
January 31, 2022 | 11am |
February 22, 2022 | 2pm |
March 25, 2022 | 11am |
April 29, 2022 | 1:30pm |
May 24, 2022 | 2pm |
Supporting Documents
EODAA Committee Report – May 2021
EODAA Committee Report – May 2020
Equity Audit: Inclusivity Appraisal Report (student access, login required)
Equity Audit: Inclusivity Appraisal Report (employee access, login required)
Diversity Mini-Grant
Worcester State University strives to foster a campus climate that promotes the intellectual examination of the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of the diverse cultures and groups that make up the Worcester State community. In this spirit, students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit their ideas about increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Worcester State community. Ideas that meet the mini-grant guidelines may be funded up to $300.
The Diversity Mini-Grant aims to encourage networking and collaborative diversity programming between faculty, staff, and student groups focused on making the Worcester State community climate welcoming to all its members.
All proposals must be consistent with Worcester State University policies and procedures and any events must be held on campus.
Supporting Documents
Diversity Mini Grant Application and Guidelines
Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
Bias Incident Response Team
The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) is responsible for providing a comprehensive approach to addressing incidents of bias that challenge the University’s mission, core values, civility policies, policies against discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation, and efforts toward improving campus climate.
Charge
- To promote a safe and welcoming climate that is open to all;
- To provide care, support, resources, and education to individuals or groups who are the targets of bias incident and/or hate crimes and to the campus community concerning the resulting impact;
- To funnel reported incidents to the appropriate office for investigation and/or discipline;
- To recommend appropriate programs that are both preventative and responsive to bias incidents and hate crimes;
- To document and monitor reported incidents of bias and hate.
Composition
The BIRT will have 2 co-chairs (1 staff, 1 faculty) and will be comprised of the Directors of the Counseling Center, Multicultural Affairs, Residence Life, and University Police, as well as the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing, Student Conduct Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, 2 faculty members, and 4 students (including student trustee). The Assistant Vice President of Employee Services, and AAEO, the Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity will both serve as ex-officio members.
Commitment
The BIRT will meet three times per semester as a large group to discuss educational campus activities and response processes. If an incident requires an immediate campus communication, the BIRT will meet within 48 hours and will work with appropriate offices in communicating facts relating to the incident and relevant procedures following the receipt of a reported incident. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and serve for a minimum 2-year period.
2022 Spring Semester Committee Membership
- Laxmi Bissoondial
- Adrian Gage
- Maria Isabel Gariepy (Ex–Officio)
- Jaylene Hurley
- Anna Johnson
- Jason Kapurch
- Joshua Katz
- Thomas Kelley
- Stacey Luster (Ex-Officio)
- Tanya Mears (Co-Chair)
- Laura Murphy
- Jennifer Quinn
- Karen Shalev
- Maureen Stokes (Co-Chair)
- Divya Tenny
Meeting Dates
Date | Time |
---|---|
February 11, 2022 | 11:30am |
March 1, 2022 | 3pm |
April 11, 2022 | 3:30pm |
May 25, 2022 | 3pm |
Supporting Documents
Bias Incident Response Team Report May 2021
Bias Incident Response Team Report May 2020
Complaints and Bias Incidents Summary – November 2021 (login required)
LGBTQ+ Advisory Group
The mission of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Group is to advocate for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and work towards a campus culture where members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcomed and respected.
Charge
- To identify and provide educational resources and programs supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community;
- To collaborate with Worcester State offices, programs, and groups that address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community;
- To make recommendations (annually) to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion about policies, programs, and services for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at Worcester State.
Composition
The LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee will have 2 co-chairs, and will be comprised of faculty, staff and students. The Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity will serve as an ex-officio member.
Commitment
The committee will meet three times per semester, in addition to subcommittee meetings. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and serve for a minimum 2-year period.
2022 Spring Semester Committee Membership
- Bella Carey-Hicks
- Maria Isabel Gariepy (Ex–Officio)
- Erica Hanlon
- Joshua Judge
- Stacey Luster (Ex-Officio)
- Riley McGuire (Co-chair)
- Caitlyn Oliveira
- Stacey Parker
- Nancy Ramsdell
- Kathleen Rogan
- Mary Lynn Saul
- Elizabeth Siler
- Sarah Strout (Co-chair)
- Sarah Valois
Meeting Dates
Date | Time |
---|---|
February 16, 2022 | 3:15pm |
March 23, 2022 | 3:15pm |
April 27, 2022 | 3:15pm |
May 25, 2022 | 3:15pm |
Supporting Documents
3rd Floor
Office 335