August 2022 D I and A Digest Header
Content This Month
Recap of DEIA Day

A picture of people looking at DEIA posters and a presentation

During fall break, 50 Mines community members and DEIA departmental representatives gathered on campus for a full day of DEIA learning and professional development. The interactive day was facilitated by DEIA experts from Justice Leaders Collaborative. Dr. Kate Youmans, Presidential Fellow for DEIA, bookended the day with a welcome and important updates on the priorities and direction for DEIA at Mines.

 

Celebration of DEIA at Mines, call for workshop proposals 

Save the date! The 6th annual Celebration of DEIA at Mines returns to campus on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. You are invited to submit a workshop proposal to facilitate an interactive 45-minute session during the day-long event. Want to lead a discussion on a timely DEIA topic? Want to share DEIA efforts you’ve incorporated in your class or office to help foster a greater sense of belonging? We want to read your ideas. Proposals are due January 19, 2025, and will be reviewed by a small committee of faculty, staff and students. DEIA at Mines will cover all expenses associated with facilitating the workshops and lead the marketing efforts to drum up enthusiasm for the sessions.

Nominate a colleague, peer or group for a DEIA award

 The annual DEIA award nomination window opened earlier this month and runs through January 26, 2025. There are many outstanding faculty, staff, students and groups who are worthy of recognition. Consider highlighting their efforts by submitting a nomination not only elevating their work across campus, but as a word of thanks.

Award recipients demonstrate an exceptional understanding of diversity and inclusiveness as represented by their efforts to:

  • enhance inclusion through fostering dialogue and positive communication between people of diverse backgrounds,
  • promote an environment free from bias and discrimination,
  • raise awareness and lead initiatives that advance diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion,
  • support efforts in Mines DI&A Strategic Plan and/or
  • serve as a catalyst for change in diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.
Culture, not costume

With Halloween next week, you may be putting the finishing touches on a costume. Before you head out, rummage through the closet or make a quick purchase, we encourage you to remember…

Culture is not a costume

Photo courtesy of alphasigmatau.org.

Are you wondering why this reminder is important? Check out a resource from West Virginia University.

 

DEIA at Mines partnering with the Center on Colfax for Safe Zone training

The campus community is invited to join a three-hour Safe Zone Training the afternoon of November 11, 1:00-4:00 PM, in Student Center Ballrooms AB. The training is facilitated by Liz Elsen, Director of Education & Training at the Center on Colfax and will cover foundation setting on language and terminology, understanding the impacts of heteronormativity and cisnormativity, exploring harmful myths and sharing strategies to support the LGBTQ+ community as an empowered ally. This workshop is similar in content and structure to the February 2024 training also facilitated by the Center on Colfax. Snacks will be provided.

To register for this training, visit https://forms.office.com/r/DrJitY3rws

Funding available to support DEIA-initiatives through community grants

A total of $10,000 is available for diversity initiatives with impact through the DEIA at Mines community grants program, with an average award amount of $1,000 per grant request. Grant money is given to a Mines individual or group who actively promotes inclusive excellence and contributes to and enhances the campus climate through events, activities or initiatives that support the diverse communities we serve. Grant applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and must be spent by the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2025).

On the Swamp, Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice seminar and book discussion

On Monday, October 28, the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering will welcome Associate Professor Dr. Ryan Emanuel from Duke University to lead a seminar and a discussion on his book, On the Swamp, Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice. He is a hydrologist and community-engaged scholar from North Carolina. He studies ecohydrology, biogeosciences, environmental justice and Indigenous rights. Dr. Emanuel leads a group of researchers and scholars who study water and watery places in North Carolina and beyond. His group also partners with Native American Tribes and other communities to understand environmental change through the lenses of environmental justice and Indigenous rights. Their work involves research, education and relationship-building. Dr. Emanuel aims to amplify voices of Indigenous and other marginalized communities who shoulder disproportionate environmental burdens. The seminar is being held at noon in Berthoud Hall 205, no RSVP is required.

Contribute to Next Month’s Digest

Help us highlight the work you or your department is doing across campus to support DEIA at Mines by submitting a brief article to next month’s DEIA Digest. Submissions must be received by the first week of the month in order to make it into that month’s Digest.

Save the dates

Hyperlinks = virtual meeting access information.

  • 10/25 @ 12:00-1:00 PM Authentically Me: Latine and Indigenous Engineering Panel
  • 10/28 @ 12:00-1:00 PM On the Swamp, Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice seminar and book discussion, Berthoud Hall 205
  • 11/11 @ 1:00-4:00 PM Safe Zone training, Student Center Ballrooms AB
  • 11/12 @ 4:00-5:45 PM MCA Field Day, Student Recreation Center
  • 11/13 @ 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Autum Harvest Market, Student Center Grand Ballrooms
  • 3/11 @ all day – Celebration of DEIA at Mines

As always, we welcome your ideas, thoughts and feedback at diversity@mines.edu.
Thank you for being a member of an inclusive Oredigger community and an advocate and ally for positive social change.

Diversity, Inclusion and Access