Welcome to the D&I Newsletter

Every single year, diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the University’s ability to fulfill its mission and positively impact society. During this past year, this reality was apparent as our community faced a series of events, tragedies, and challenges that deeply impacted us. As we struggled to understand, to mourn, to heal, to disrupt, and to further knowledge, we came together and worked together to effectuate change.

As we begin this semester, past experiences and current events mix with the traditional excitement and hope of a new year, leading me to two reflections:

• First, we are stronger when we work together. The dedicated ODI team has engaged in far-reaching and high impact work, but the strength of Pitt diversity, equity and inclusion efforts relies on the partnership and expertise of partners and scholars across campus, for which we are deeply grateful. The thousands of community members participating in D&I related educational sessions could not have been served without these partnerships, and the increasing number of people seeking out these sessions is a testament to the quality and relevance of the content.

• Second, there is so much more work to do. As we strive to increase knowledge about, and to increase the reporting of, issues of harassment and discrimination, the scope of the issues come into sharper focus for many. This is painful and necessary, if change is to come.

The ODI team is committed to working with you to effectuate lasting change and hope that this newsletter will help us better work together, to be informed of each other’s work, and to elevate each other.

Pam Connelly
Vice Chancellor, Diversity and Inclusion

A University-wide committee, chaired by Dr. Gina Garcia and the Latino Student Association (LSA), has come together to develop a comprehensive directory of Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) 2019 activities that center around core engagement principles including cultural, educational, social, and advocacy.

The committee includes representatives from across the campus, as well as those from local organizations and other colleges and universities in Pittsburgh, who are striving to create a collaborative calendar of events intended to create awareness of Hispanics/Latinas/os/xs in Pittsburgh and the broader U.S. context.

Current list of HHM activities.

Departments / groups that wish to have their Hispanic Heritage Month activity included on the web directory, can submit their activity information with the link below.

HHM web submission form.

Important D&I Policy Update!

We need your support.

Two important D&I draft policies and procedures are posted for public comment. One of them is the proposed Electronic Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility policy and the other is a proposed revision to our Nondiscrimination Equal Opportunity policy.

The EIT ensures everyone at Pitt has the ability to access information and technological services efficiently no matter their ability or disability. This standard will apply to all of Pitt's technological services: software, hardware, and digital content created for digital or electronic data.

The proposed revisions to the Nondiscrimination Equal Opportunity policy seek to strengthen and enhance reporting and response. Please visit The Office of Policy Development and Management's website to read the policies and leave any comments or suggestions!

DICP Certificate Ceremony, September 10

You are invited to help us welcome our newest class of Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) graduates at the DICP Certificate Ceremony on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 from 4 p.m.–6 p.m. in the Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union. Light fare will be provided and guests are welcome.

DICP Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 | 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
William Pitt Union | Lower Lounge
Dress: Business Casual

Please RSVP by September 6 here: DICP Certificate Ceremony RSVP form

Pitt Communities Open House, September 24

Join us for the Pitt Communities Open House to be held on Tuesday, September 24 in the Assembly Room in the William Pitt Union. The event is designed to promote campus-wide awareness and participation in our staff & faculty affinity groups—newly re-named as ‘Pitt Communities’—and will feature information tables hosted by all of our current affinity groups.

We encourage you to share this invite with your respective networks, and we hope to garner your involvement in one (or more!) of our Pitt Communities.

Pitt Communities Open House
Tuesday, September 24 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Assembly Room | William Pitt Union
RSVP here: Open House RSVP Form

Check out the Sexual Assault Awareness Welcome Week video here.

Join The Inclusion Network on Pitt Commons

To facilitate ongoing and regular group engagement among D&I practitioners at Pitt, please join The Inclusion Network on the Pitt Commons. The platform has several functions to aid Network communication and growth including:

Member Profiles
Discussion Forum
Events Calendar
Resources Folder

Questions regarding the platform can be directed to Diversity and Multicultural Programs Manager, Ron Idoko at roi2@pitt.edu

D&I Newsletter Submissions Welcomed!

This newsletter is intended to highlight D&I initiatives, news, and programs across campus. Please feel free to share content you would like to include in the newsletter. Content can include:

Events / Activities
News / Announcements
Achievements / Awards
Calls for Collaboration

Submit your content here: D&I Newsletter Content Submission Form

Use #PittDiversity on Social Media

We encourage you to use #PittDiversity to tag your D&I – related social media posts. The use of the hashtag will help generate more content awareness and help us identify & further promote content of interest.
You can follow us on social media at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PittDiversity
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PittDiversity
Instagram: www.instagram.com/PittDiversity

News Roundup

Class of 2023 Breaks Demographic Records

Provost Continues To Focus On Diversity Issues

Spotlight On Women Focuses On Sherdina Harper

Building BRIDGES For Underrepresented Scholarship Students

New Latinx Cluster-hiring Initiative Supports Provost Diversity Priority

Global Hub Brings The World To Students In One Bright, Engaging Space

Jewish Community Plans Remembrance Events For Tree Of Life Tragedy

Building Positive Racial Identity Through Art

First Black Pan Am Pilot Says He Owes A Lot To Pitt

Digital Accessibility Can Start With Small Steps

Teaching Heroes: Religious Studies Lecturer Hopes to Break Down Stereotypes

Pitt Student Supports Environment, Equity, And Economy In That Order

As He Prepares To Retire, Larry Davis Reflects on Race and Center He Founded

Pitt Joins Other Universities In Supporting Global Engagement

Copyright © 2019 University of Pittsburgh Office of Diversity and Inclusion, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
University of Pittsburgh
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
2nd Floor Webster Hall
4415 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

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September 2019 Newsletter