Diversity and Inclusion Communications
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) work occurs on our campus in continuous fashion—in fact, we are working to embed it into all the work we do. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is committed to sharing information on the work of the office, and campus DEIA efforts, in a transparent, continuous fashion.
Why Communicate About DEIA?
Campus Work
DEIA work is not just the work of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; the full campus has responsibility to advance DEIA. Communication about DEIA not only showcases the progress that has been made but also highlights areas of opportunity.
Building Trust
It is critically important that students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community trust Syracuse University’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and making everyone on campus feel welcomed and valued—even in the face of adversity.
Plan Progression
It is expected that everyone on campus will contribute to the five-year DEIA strategic plan – a necessary factor for the success of the plan. Campus members will find out how they can contribute to the work of the plan via, in part, Office of Diversity and Inclusion communications.
The Promotion of Knowledge
Arguably, DEIA is one of the most complex topics in the United States. DEIA is in many ways tied to morality and therefore has the ability to be divisive just as much as it unifies people. For those who are within communities of particular identities, and particularly for those who are not, the verbiage, understandings, inferences, colloquialisms, and learnings are complex and ever-evolving. Understanding this, the communications work in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion seeks to promote information and education about key aspects of DEIA.
Office of Diversity and Inclusion Communications
Below are some of the ways you can gather key information about the work of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as well as campus wide DEIA efforts.
Newsletter
Each semester and during the summer an e-newsletter is issued to the full campus community from the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez. The newsletter includes Office of Diversity and Inclusion updates, highlights of campus DEIA work and action-oriented information that will help advance DEIA on campus.
Campus Forums with Vice President Almandrez
Each semester all campus members are invited to attend an in-person and virtual campus forum. During the campus forums Vice President Mary Grace Almandrez shares updates from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and campus wide DEIA work. The forums provide attendees with opportunities to engage interactively with the presenters and each other.
Office Hours
Each month of the academic year, the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace A. Almandrez holds office hours where students, faculty, and staff can meet with her to discuss diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility issues and ideas. Email the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for upcoming office hours.
Annual Report
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion issues an annual report each year. The report highlights work of the office as well as diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility work that occurs across the campus.