[togetherness]
ALL ARE WELCOME Center for Inclusion and Diversity has aim of providing the human connection by Ryan T. Blystone cademic stimulation is everywhere on the USD campus. Classrooms are devoted to social sciences, artistic expression and science labs. Peacemakers, business leaders, engineers, educators, nurses and lawyers hone their skills here. Those who champion public service, Catholic Social Thought, multiculturalism, environment issues, women and gender studies and international awareness each have a devoted space. But what about places on campus where there’s a path to lead people within these diverse groups to better understand one another? On September 1, Hahn University Center’s Room 225 became such a destination. The Center for Inclusion and Diversity, led by codirectors Carlton Floyd and Mayté Pérez-Franco, opened on the first day of the fall 2010 semester and did so with a pledge. “I want someone to walk into the center curious and when they walk out I want them to be more curious about what constitutes diversity and what constitutes inclusion,” says Floyd, associate professor of English and associate provost for inclusion and diversity. The center’s existence was the recommendation by the President’s Advisory Board on Inclusion and Diversity (PABID); it was approved in the spring. Floyd and Pérez-Franco, who doubles as director of the United Front Multicultural Center, were appointed in March. President Mary E. Lyons made the official announcement at the studentorganized “March of the Toreros” event on March 2. “I see the center as a resource,”
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Diego, identifying necessary funding through multiple coordinated efforts in each area. But her concerns don’t end within the confines of San Diego County, or even within the United States. She’s currently undertaking a long-term project studying neighborhoods in Baghdad. Carpenter and fellow KSPS instructor Topher McDougal have begun a study that aims to understand why some neighborhoods remain largely peaceful while others suffer sectarian clashes. “We’re also interested in learning more about why some groups obtain arms to protect and defend neighborhoods, while others are armed to commit horrific atrocities in other neighborhoods,” Carpenter explains.
The primary topic under investigation is whether participatory neighborhood governance, leadership strategies and cross-cutting social networks positively impact the capacity of people to resist revenge-seeking and retribution. Carpenter hopes to better understand how peacebuilding functions at a very local level, through churches, trade associations, marketplaces and community dialogue groups, and how those activities can be supported to strengthen peace building initiatives around the world. Whether it’s in the classroom, in gang-infested neighborhoods in San Diego or in war-torn cities halfway around the world, Carpenter is bringing the mission of the KSPS right along with her.
Floyd says. “I want it to be a place where someone can ask a question, whether it’s an issue that is disturbing their ability to feel welcome here, or anything that increases their desire to stay here, or if someone who is thinking of coming here can find reasons to do so. I want it to not be simply about education, but also about the human connection and people. Anyone invested in it should feel welcome.” Potential programs include opportunities for mentoring and tutoring, film/discussion and panel discussions events, a Facebook page and what Floyd calls “Unexpected Encounters,” a concept where people are randomly invited to meet and engage in discussion. Fundraising for the center is critical to its effectiveness. Eight grant applications are being written, Floyd said, some of which have collaborative potential on campus. A web-based donation system is in the works and the center is working on creating scholarship opportunities for low-income, underrepresented or underserved student groups. Floyd says he’s encouraged by early responses from others at USD to offer support, grant writing advice and ideas that can put CID on the right path. “One of the things I can do personally, and the center needs to do specifically, is to recognize, reward and use the talent we have — and we have massive amounts of talent and a massive amount of investment and interest,” he said. “It’s just that the investment and interest has not had a viable vehicle to affect change. It is my belief the center can be that.” FALL 2010
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