The Committee planned and implemented the 6th Annual Symposium on Inclusive Excellence with a programming theme for the 2018-19 academic year titled “Justice” to compliment the Colloquium theme of “Power.”

The entire day was reserved for a featured keynote speaker, community lunch, and educational sessions that inspired dialogue.

Once again, we designed afternoon educational sessions and simulations for larger group participation to decrease the required number of session proposals offered by LVC staff.

This year’s keynote speaker was Marvin Worthy, an inclusion and diversity trainer and consultant. Mr. Worthy provided a powerful and interactive keynote address which offered a personal look at the value of diversity and inclusive thought in a community.

He then facilitated two afternoon professional development diversity training sessions with faculty and staff which showcased the College’s commitment to inclusive excellence. We received incredibly positive feedback from the community regarding Mr. Worthy’s message and time on campus, and received a call from Student Government to invite him back to campus for further student training next year.

Submitted a draft proposal of a recommended structure for reporting incidents of bias, including an online form and informative website. The draft is currently still under review by our Title IX coordinators and College counsel. After meeting with College counsel in September 2018, we hoped to put forward the final draft to President’s Staff for consideration and implementation during the 2019 Symposium. No plan has been approved or implemented to date. 

Investigated sample institutional “guiding principles” to complement the proposed Bias Response Plan. No formal recommended “guiding principles” will be put forward to senior leadership until the Committee has a clear direction of an approved Bias Response Plan since both must work in synergy to be effective and fair.

Facilitated the funding approval by President Thayne of the following President’s Fund for Inclusive Excellence projects and initiatives:

• Purchase of Zafus and Zabutan for the practice of mindfulness
• Purchase of a poverty simulation kit and training for the College for continuous use by our staff
• Brave Zone training for staff
• Webinar training on campus bias response and reporting for senior administrators

Selected our self-nominated student member for the 2019–20 year (Victoria Lahey).