The Springfield College Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
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Springfield College remains steadfast in its commitment to equality and fair treatment for all. As a campus we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful campus community, not only in vision but in practice. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is rooted in the belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to academic excellence.
We pledge to keep our theme - Silence is Not an Option - at the forefront of our programming this year, as we address the many ways that we as a campus community can live our mission of leadership in service to others.
The Springfield College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitment
Springfield College is committed to building a stronger community, recognizing that our students, faculty, staff, and alumni enrich us through their distinctiveness, their experiences, and their perspectives. Over the next 12-18 months we will strengthen our campus culture by focusing on the following broad areas, each grounded in our Humanics mission.
In our efforts, we will define diversity as broadly as possible, understanding that our learning and living community is enhanced by all perspectives. Similarly, we recognize that this work is developmental in nature and, importantly, we affirm the value of all voices and welcome the vulnerability that precedes growth.
Commitment Pillars
- We will increase diverse representation in our faculty, staff, and students.
- We will encourage engagement and courageous participation in programs and conversations.
- We will contribute, lead, and serve in our local community.
- We will educate for social justice, advocacy, and action in our curricular and co-curricular programs.
- We will recognize the College’s complex history related to race and social justice, seeking to use the past as a tool for learning and a foundation for future action.
Springfield College recognizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as core values. The quality of the campus experience is strengthened through working and learning with people from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our goal is not only to make a difference among our community, but to improve equity and justice for all on a global scale.
Fall 2020 Initiatives
Springfield College has established multiple planning committees and advisory boards to support efforts for a more inclusive community overall.
Campus Program Planning Committee on Race
The Campus Program Planning Committee on Race (CPPCR) was established to identify, engage, and launch campuswide programming initiatives with a focus on race. The CPPCR will also serve as one of several resources to the College community along with the the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Office of the Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Trustee Denise Alleyne has graciously agreed to co-chair this committee with Calvin R. Hill, PhD. Trustee Alleyne is a retired vice president of Student Services at Pine Manor College where she earned an undergraduate degree (1973) and graduate degree (1974).
Inaugural planning body:
- James Kaishian (Graduate Student Body President)
- Miguel Arce (Faculty)
- Brian Krylowicz (Counseling Center)
- Felicia Lundquist (DEI)
- David McMahon (Spiritual Life)
- Joseph Tirabochi (Campus Police)
- Kurt Aschermann (Trustee)
- Denise Alleyne '73, G'74 (Trustee)
- Charlie Sullivan (Athletics / Coach Volleyball / Faculty)
- Kris Rhim (Student Trustee)
- Alice Fiddian-Green (Faculty)
- Stephanie Logan (Faculty)
- Mary-Beth Cooper (President)
Campus Program Planning Committee on Race Priority Initatives
Diversity and Transparency in Print and Electronic Media Advisory Board
This board has been established to review and provide suggestions to the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement and the Office of Communications on how to best represent the diversity and vibrancy of Springfield College in print and electronic marketing publications and materials while maintaining a realistic picture of our student demographics.
The advisory board will meet monthly during the academic year with the vice presidents of each division, and at times, other divisional representatives.
Committee on Public Safety Policies, Practices, and Training
Springfield College decries discrimination in any form, yet we recognize the national conversation about the intersection of race and policing, especially the impacts on communities of color. We know that all organizations and institutions are susceptible either consciously or unconsciously to systemic racism, and understand that our college is not exempt. Our collective commitment to identifying and eradicating racism and bias is resolute, and the call to action is now. The leadership of Public Safety is committed to examining their own policies, practices and training along with key constituencies which they serve on a daily basis.
President Cooper has convened a special committee of the Springfield College community to examine the policies, practices, and current training requirements of the Department of Public Safety at Springfield College. This committee, which includes students, faculty, staff, and trustees, is charged with identifying areas of improvement and recommending changes that promote greater equality and safety for our students, faculty, and staff.
We are grateful for the strongly held convictions among students, faculty, and staff that the role of Public Safety must be performed with understanding and empathy for equality, mental health issues, wellness, addiction, and harm reduction. This committee will make recommendations for oversight and continual improvement of our policies, processes, and training opportunities. This committee will be asked to present findings and recommendations to the President’s Leadership Team and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees by September 30, 2020.
The members of the Committee on Public Safety Policies, Practices, and Training are:
- Francesca Spina, Department of Criminal Justice, co-chair
- Craig Poisson, Athletics, co-chair
- Kurt Aschermann ‘71, Board of Trustees
- Ray Berry, G’11, Board of Trustees
- Jannele Castro, Department of Public Safety
- Marcel Diaz ‘20, G'21
- Shannan Fields, Communications and External Affairs
- Susan Joel, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Xavier Washington ‘22
- Anne Wheeler, Department of Literature, Writing and Journalism
- Sabrina Williams ’22
Calendar of events related to diversity programming on campus
Visit our Campus Calendar to see a full listing of events hosted by the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Arts & Humanities Lecture
President Mary-Beth Cooper and the faculty and staff of Springfield College are proud to announce that New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi will be the keynote speaker at the annual Springfield College Arts & Humanities Speaker Series on March 25, 2021. The annual endowed Arts & Humanities Speaker Series is made possible through the generosity of Carlton ’63 and Lucille Sedgeley. A decision to host the event in-person or virtually will occur at a later date.
Summer 2020 Key Initiatives
Bias Incident Reporting
Our community is what makes us special. Every member is valuable and we want to help ensure that each person feels safe, welcomed, and included.
If you experience or witnessed a bias incident, on campus, or involving community members, we want to know. One way you can take action is by submitting a Bias Incident Report. It is a Quick Link located on PrideNET.
“What is a bias incident?” It is behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, color, predisposing genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, or any other category protected by law or regulation.
Examples of bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, verbal or written use of degrading language or insults motivated from a belief or perception about a person’s characteristics regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.