News Blog

Bonnie M. Brown Recognized As 2012 Neil S. Bucklew Award Recipient

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:11:00 EST

Bonnie M. Brown has been selected as the 2012 Neil S. Bucklew Award Recipient. She will be honored at a luncheon held on April 27, 2012 at the Erickson Alumni Center in coordination with the Social Justice Visiting Committee’s Spring meeting.

Social Justice Liaisons Serve As Link To WVU's Many Departments

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:21:00 EST

The Social Justice Liaisons will be meeting April 19, 2012, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Greenbrier Room of the Mountainlair.

WVU’s Social Justice Liaisons are a group of individuals from various departments on campus who work together to tackle relevant diversity and inclusiveness issues that come up in practice throughout the university. They are educated and trained on practical issues. The liaisons serve as a link from the President’s Office for Social Justice to WVU’s many departments, colleges, and campuses. Meetings are held regularly for the purpose of discussing topics of mutual interest and for the liaisons to receive training.

Most recently, this March, Social Justice Liasions received training in the topic: “Treatment of Students and Employees With Disabilities at WVU Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Its Amendments and GINA: What You Need To Know, Where You Need To Go, and Who You Need To Contact”. This training was conducted by Mary Roberta “Bobbie” Brandt, JD, ADA Coordinator and Assoc. Director for the WVU President’s Office for Social Justice.

Social Justice Liaisons are appointed by the Executive Officer for Social Justice based on recommendations of administrative heads. For more information on the Liaisons, please contact Sharon.Mallow@mail.wvu.edu or visit the Liaisons webpage at http://socialjustice.wvu.edu/councils_liaisons/liaisons.

Diversity Week 2012 Dates, Theme Announced

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:44:00 EST

The President’s Office for Social Justice is pleased to announce that Diversity Week 2012 will be held October 15 – 20, 2012.

2012’s theme is “Where Values Unite”.

Diversity Week continues to grow each year. Last year, more events than ever were included in the Diversity Week lineup, and everything from roundtable discussions with students and administrators, to speakers on diversity issues, to a flash mob was included in the mix. Over eighty events were held, topping the previous year’s record of over sixty. Diversity Week 2011 had total campus participation, with events held on every WVU campus.

The President’s Office for Social Justice is already looking forward to Diversity Week 2012. The event schedule will be put together over the coming months. The Diversity Week planning committee will again be a huge asset to Diversity Week planning. If you would like to present or become involved in coordinating an event, please contact Sharon Mallow, President’s Office for Social Justice event coordinator, at 304-293-7470 or sharon.mallow@mail.wvu.edu.

Spring Diversity Days Helps Students See Another Point of View

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:33:00 EST

Spring Diversity Days was held April 11, 2012 through April 14, 2012. Originally planned as a single Spring event to coincide with Women’s History Month in March, Spring Diversity Days has become an annual event and now encompasses diversity and inclusion at WVU in general. This shortened series of events is designed to be a supplement to the President’s Office for Social Justice’s ever-growing Diversity Week, held each Fall.

Two recognized at 2012 Diversi-Tea

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST

At the President’s Office for Social Justice’s third annual Diversi-Tea Celebration, held Wednesday, April 12 in coordination with Spring Diversity Days, two individuals were recognized for making a difference in diversity and inclusiveness in the WVU community.

Bob Pirner, of the WVU Native American Studies Program, and Sara Middleton, a senior exercise physiology student, were recognized as 2012’s recipients. Each year, nominations are sought, and individuals or groups who have made a strong impact on inclusiveness on campus through leadership are recognized.

Bob Pirner is a professor with the Native American Studies program. In addition, he spends his time outside of work with community organizations that foster inclusion. Locally, he worked with Stepping Stones, whose mission is centered on disabled individuals achieving maximum independence, and today is Director of Development for PACE Enterprises, Inc., advocating for employment of people with disabilities, according to a nomination. In addition to his work focused on individuals with disabilities, Pirner brings understanding and awareness to Native American issues. Pirner travels the region to present on American Indian topics. According to a nomination, Pirner served an advisor to the movie “Dances With Wolves,” where he was a staunch advocate for the hiring of Lakota people, insisting they be involved in portraying their culture and ancestry in the film.

Pirner was introduced to the stage by co-worker and friend Bonnie M. Brown, of the WVU Native American Studies Program.

Sara Middleton is a senior at WVU and a resident assistant. Middleton has worked as a Safe Zone trainer, completing trainings for over ten groups on WVU’s campus. Safe Zone, a program co-sponsored by the WVU Council on Sexual Orientation, the Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services and the President’s Office for Social Justice, aims to foster an atmosphere of support and celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning individuals on the WVU campus by providing students, faculty, and staff with training and resources, including access to more easily discernible individuals who are available to provide support and knowledge. In addition, according to a nomination, Middleton “created a spinoff of the Safe Zone Program called ‘Gay 101: Introductory Information on LGBT Issues’ and presented this lecture to University 101 classes, Student Health Employees and a few other groups”. She has planned panels and other events including LGBT health lectures, according to the nomination. Nominations referred to her as “encouraging”, “a wonderful leader”, “a friend to everyone she meets” and “a tolerant and diverse resident assistant”.

Middleton was introduced by Sam Umbraugh, faculty liaison with the Queer Student Union.

In addition to the leadership awards, refreshments and teas from around the world were served. Attendees visited tea stations and chose teas from international student groups on campus, including teas from India, Turkey, and China. Entertainment at the third annual Diversi-Tea was provided by Jo Ann Dadisman, retired professor, in her skit-presentation, “Tea for Two”.

Third Annual Diversi-Tea Recognizes Two

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:41:00 EST

The third annual Diversi-Tea celebration was held Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Spring Diversity Days to be held April 11-14

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:29:00 EST

The President’s Office for Social Justice is sponsoring the third annual Spring Diversity Days, Wednesday, April 11 to Saturday, April 14, 2012. Included in the event line-up this year are the annual Diversi-Tea, WVU’s Annual Africa Night, and “Who’s Got a Cultural Swag”, a talent show.

Diversi-Tea

The Spring Diversi-Tea celebration will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

The Tea, also in its third year, is sponsored by the President’s Office for Social Justice, the Council for Women’s Concerns, the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Center for Women’s Studies.

This year’s Diversi-Tea celebration is by invitation only to ensure an accurate headcount for catering. We welcome the WVU community to this event. Please view the invitation here and respect our RSVP requests, including timely RSVP-ing by April 5, 2012, in order to make sure there is enough food and drink for the event and to ensure your name is included in the event’s door prize drawings.

Each year, individuals and groups within the WVU community are honored at the Diversi-Tea celebration. The recognition is bestowed among those that have have promoted understanding and appreciation within our diverse campus.

Up to five individuals or groups may be awarded annually. Criteria for this recognition include:

• Students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater Morgantown community
• Performance above and beyond normal University responsibilities
• Service should have been sustained for more than one year
• The selection committee shall have the discretion of seeking nominations and/or selecting individuals outside of a nomination process
• Diversity shall be interpreted in the broadest sense and lead toward creating and sustaining an atmosphere of respect and inclusivity
• The President’s Office for Social Justice assumes financial and administrative responsibility for the awards.

Nominations for individuals or groups that promote cultural understanding within the diverse populations of our community and enhance the appreciation of different abilities, races, cultures and ethnic groups within our community are being accepted until March 16. Please visit http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/socjust/DiversiTea/ to nominate someone.

Tea participants will get the chance to taste desserts and teas from around the world. Tea stations will be set up, including teas such as Masela Chai from India, Earl Grey from Great Britain, Bubble Tea from China, Lemongrass Tea from Mexico, Mango Tea from Sri Lanka and Turkish Black Tea from Turkey.

In addition, Jo Ann Dadisman, retired English professor from WVU, will be performing a skit-presentation.

Business attire is encouraged for the Diversi-Tea celebration.

“Who’s Got Cultural Swag” Talent Show

On Thursday, April 12, 2012, there will be a student talent show, “Who’s Got Cultural Swag”, sponsored in coordination with WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism Public Relations department.

Registration for the talent show can be done online at http://socialjustice.wvu.edu/talentshowrsvp. RSVPs are due April 5, 2012.

Africa Night

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, the annual Africa Night celebration, which is sponsored by the African Students Association, will be held as part of Spring Diversity Days at 6:00 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. This year’s theme is “One.Diverse.Africa”.

The celebration will feature the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble. According to its website, the Pittsburgh-based Balafon combines cultural celebration with traditional West African Dance and displays of “heroic athleticism”. For more information on the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble, visit www.balafon.org/.

Tickets will be available for purchase in the Mountainlair starting April 2, 2012.

Donations Accepted in B1 Stewart Hall for Caritas House

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST

In conjunction with Random Acts of Kindness events across campus, the President’s Office for Social Justice is accepting donations for the Caritas House until March 1.

Donations can be dropped off in B1 of Stewart Hall.

The Caritas House is in need of cleaning supplies and personal items. Examples of needed items include Pine-Sol, bleach, detergent, garbage bags, razors, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels, toilet paper, deodorant, and toothpaste.

The Caritas House is North-Central West Virginia’s only AIDS service organization which offers advocacy, case management, prevention education, community and nursing outreach, transitional housing, and volunteer and support services to enable people with HIV/AIDS to improve their health and quality of living.

Please view our flier here .

For more on Random Acts of Kindness at WVU, please visit http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2012/02/09/wvu-encourages-random-acts-of-kindness-next-week.

Documentary Screening and Q&A with "Vincent Who?" Producer

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:41:00 EST

Filmmaker Curtis Chin will be visiting WVU’s campus on March 21, 2012 at 6 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms to present a showing of his documentary, “Vincent Who?” and hold a Q & A session afterward with any students, faculty, or community members.

The WVU President’s Office for Social Justice, along with the Community Coalition for Social Justice, is sponsoring this event.

“Vincent Who?” is a forty minute documentary tells the story of an Asian-American civil rights movement, which was fueled by a 1982 incident in which a Chinese-American named Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments arising from massive layoffs in the auto industry, according to the film’s website.

Screening of the forty minute film begins at 6:00 p.m., with a question and answer session immediately after. Chin will answer any questions or concerns from students, faculty, and community members at this time.

More information on Chin and “Vincent Who?” can be found at the film’s website: http://www.vincentwhofilm.com/.

The event flier can be viewed by clicking here .

Seeking Nominations for Diversi-Tea Awards

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:10:00 EST

The WVU President’s Office for Social Justice is sponsoring its third annual Diversi-Tea celebration, as part of Spring Diversity Days.

The President’s Office for Social Justice, the Council for Women’s Concerns, the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Center for Women’s Studies seeks to recognize individuals and groups that promote cultural understanding within the diverse populations of our community and enhance the appreciation of different abilities, races, cultures and ethnic groups within our community.

Up to five individuals or groups may be awarded annually. Criteria for this recognition include:

Nominations are due to the President’s Office for Social Justice by March 15, 2012. Recipients will be recognized at the 2012 Diversi-Tea celebration.

Nominations can be submitted by filling at the form at: http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/socjust/DiversiTea/