DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE UTHSC Veterans Day Celebration . . . 1 National Disability Employment Awareness Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dr. Noma Anderson, Special Advisor to the UT President on Diversity and Inclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Commemorative Observances. . . . . . 3 American Indian Heritage Month. . . 4 TIP and SRS Applications. . . . . . . . . . 4 2016 Campus Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Day of Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oed/staff
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor
Amber Carter
Publications Editor, Diversity Matters
Dustin Fulton, MS
Sr. Equity Assurance Administrator
UTHSC VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION! In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first com-memoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of Novem-ber in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated. On June 1, 1954, with the approval of Public Law 380 November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11th, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. On November 11, 2016, The Office of Equity and Diversity & Special Events hosted a Veterans Day Reception. Staff, Faculty and Student UTHSC Veterans were honored with gifts and tributes. The UTHSC community shared words of thanks for our service members contributions and sacrifices. Pictured below are the honored UTHSC veterans.
Equity Assurance Administrator
Additionally, UTHSC community members wrote thank you notes to a veterans currently receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center. The notes were distributed during the VA hospital’s Veterans Day celebration to veterans who are unable to participate in the festivities due to their medical conditions.
Denise Steverson
Thank you for your service!
Maggie Joyce, JD
Sr. OED Consultant
Ashleigh Brock, JD
Administrative Service Assistant
Cynthia Crowe
HCP Coordinator
Kamaria Robinson, MS TIP Coordinator
Josalyn Coleman, MEd Program Coordinator
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/ Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
DIVERSITY MATTERS
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH In October, UTHSC celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme was “Inclusion Works.” The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The Office of Equity and Diversity planned and facilitated three events to commemorate this month. Partners for the events included the UTHSC ADA Advisory Committee, Parking Services, Campus Police, and Communications and Marketing. Below are pictures of the NDEAM events.
JANUARY 2017
DR. NOMA ANDERSON,
APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE UT PRESIDENT ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
On July 1, 2016, Dr. Noma Anderson assumed the position of Special Advisor to the UT President on Diversity and Inclusion. During an interview, Dr. Anderson shared her goals and tasks of her new appointment below: What do you envision your new role accomplishing? Since 2012 I have been chair of the UT Diversity Advisory Council. I see my role as providing system-wide attention to diversity and inclusion. The University of Tennessee System is committed to creating environments on its campuses and institutes where students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds can learn and work together. With this part-time position, I am striving to assist in fostering system-wide attention and intentionality to diversity.
COMMEMORATIVE OBSERVANCES Want to know more about the Office of Equity and Diversity’s (OED) programming efforts with commemorative months? Visit uthsc.edu/oed/events for a list of notable observed commemorative months. These recurrent observances are used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something. OED’s programming efforts related to commemorative months are offered to enhance the knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity, cultural competence and inclusion, but more importantly are in support of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s (UTHSC) mission. The Law Library of Congress provides commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months.
Please share some of your new initiatives. Since July I’ve been to each UT campus having diversity and inclusion “listening visits”. On these visits to the campuses and institutes I’ve talked with students, faculty and staff to gain their perspective on the state of diversity and inclusion on the campus. I’ve also joined President DiPietro and Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, Anthony Haynes, in meeting with TN legislators. I serve on the system-wide institutional climate survey team and chair the UT Diversity Advisory Council.
SELECTED COMMEMORATIVE OBSERVANCES CELEBRATED AT UTHSC:
Could you share goals you would like to attain in this new positon? A goal of my work is to promote diversity efforts and to foster the increased recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff and lead diversity and inclusion strategic planning for the UT System. Diversity is a broad spectrum of people’s characteristics including race/ethnicity, gender, age, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ableness, socioeconomic level, first generation in college, veteran status, etc. The concept of inclusion involves students, staff and faculty experiencing support, engagement, respect and civility in their learning and work environments.
March
When did you join the University of Tennessee community? I joined the UTHSC in July 2010 as dean of the College of Health Professions. Prior to coming to UTHSC, I was dean and professor of the School of Health Sciences at Florida International University, 2001–2010; chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University, 1985–2001; and on the faculty at Hampton University, 1973–1985. Any last thoughts? I hope to contribute to the University engaging in a variety of initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in all aspects of University life. By accepting the position of Special Advisor to the President of the UT System on Diversity and Inclusion, I know that I’ll also be serving the State of Tennessee.
• Black History Month February
• Women’s History Month • Asian Pacific Heritage Month May
• LGBT Pride Month June
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month October
• Veterans Day
November 11
• American Indian Heritage Month November
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY 2017
NOW ACCEPTING TIP AND SRS APPLICATIONS!
AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the United States. What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. One of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He per-suaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens. The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”). Since 1995 Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama have issued annual proclamations which designate November as National American Indian Heritage Month.
Do you know any highly motivated undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in clinical healthcare or healthcare research? The Tennessee Institutes for Pre-Professionals (TIP) or Summer Research Scholars (SRS) summer programs may be perfect for them! Applications for both programs are being accepted now and all eligible students are encouraged to apply. The TIP program offers two tracks: a clinical shadowing internship and a standardized test preparation for professional school admission tests. Additionally, all students will attend personal and professional development workshops, academic workshops, and other activities designed to assist them in realizing their career goals. The SRS program offers hands-on research experience on campus with UTHSC faculty and researchers, including but not limited to, learning to enhance biomedical information retrieval skills and designing scientific abstracts. The program culminates with a presentation based on the research performed during the summer. Summer program participants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate students and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required science courses. Additionally, TIP participants must be Tennessee residents and represent an historically underrepresented group in science and the healthcare professions. There is no residency requirement for SRS participants, however, previous research experience is preferred. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER February 15 – TIP application deadline February 28 – SRS application deadline All summer program participants receive a stipend for their participation and housing can be provided for students who do not reside in Memphis. 2016 PROGRAM DATES TIP: Monday, June 5 through Friday, July 21 SRS: Tuesday, June 6 through Friday, July 28 The application is available at uthsc.edu/hcp with the “APPLY NOW” button and there is no fee to apply. For additional information and/or program requirements, please visit our website, email hcp@uthsc.edu, or call 901.448.8772.
2016 CAMPUS AWARDS THOMAS C. LICHTERMAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: VERONICA JONES
CHANCELLOR’S EXEMPT STAFF AWARD: VIKKI MASSEY
To honor the memory of Tommy Lichterman and in celebration of his dedicated and enthusiastic service to UT Health Science Center, the Lichterman family and many friends have established the Thomas Connell Lichterman Employee of the Year Award. This Award is presented annually to a non-exempt employee who demonstrates the high standards and positive characteristics exemplified by Tommy.
This award was created to recognize non-faculty exempt employees who have demonstrated outstanding service and/or who have made significant contributions to the University community beyond that normally expected for their positions. Drs. Michael and Chandra Alston, co-chairs for non-exempt staff and non-faculty exempt staff groups, during HSC Family Campaign are the original donors behind this award.
The 2016 recipient is Veronica Jones, who works for Campus Police.
The 2016 recipient is Vikki Massey, who works for Information Technology Services.
NEED DIVERSITY TRAINING? To increase the campus community’s awareness of diversity on our campus, the Office of Equity and Diversity periodically offers training in a variety of diversity issues. To learn more about the trainings offered, please visit the training calendar at uthsc.edu/hrtraining. If you would like to request a custom workshop to be facilitated by OED staff members, please complete the form at uthsc.edu/oed.
DIVERSITY MATTERS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
DAY OF SERVICE
Domestic violence affects every American. It thrives when we are silent, but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic violence. On October 22, 2016, the Office of Equity and Diversity led a Day of Service to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Participants included UTHSC faculty, staff, students, family members and friends. Several boxes of items from the Family Safety Center’s wish list were delivered to the organization by volunteers. The items will assist families many who are starting new lives removed from domestic violence. The UTHSC community generously donated the items as part of a campus wide collection. One goal of the service project was to strengthen the partnership between UTHSC and the community in general. The Day of Service directly intersects with OED’s mission of compliance with the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA), Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Title IX. The Day of Service was impactful for all who participated.
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 910 Madison Avenue | Suite 826 phone 901.448.2112 | fax 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed
JANUARY 2017