unity star fall 2010

FALL 2010 NEWSLETTER

UNITY STAR

Opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity Initiatives at 407-823-6479 or by e-mailing [email protected]. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted. TO REGISTER: Online Registration for Faculty and Staff ONLY at http://my.ucf.edu. Students or OPS please send your name, phone number, PID/employee I.D. number, and e-mail to [email protected].

Dates, Locations, and Times (attend one):

Wednesday, September 8, 2010– SU 221AB (Garden Key), 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon Monday, October 18, 2010– SU 316B (Cape Florida), 4:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, November 2, 2010– SU 316B (Cape Florida), 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, November 17, 2010– SU 218D (Key West), 1:00-4:00 PM

Facilitator: Michael Freeman or Dr. Karen Hofmann

ALLIES ADVANCE (DIV033)

Learn about issues affecting GLBT people, homophobia, and heterosexism, and the benefits and responsibilities of being an Ally.

Date: Friday, September 10, 2010

Time: 1:30-4:30 PM

Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169

Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES (DIV044)

The ability to prevent misunderstandings through effective cross-cultural communica-tion is an important skill in today’s world. This session introduces the three basic components of any communication. Further, it dramatically illustrates 12 common causes of verbal miscommunication across cultures including conventions for cour-tesy, degree of assertiveness, accents, and hot buttons. Finally, the crucial role of body language in communication is discussed. NOTE: This session combines material from the Open Heart Dialogue and More Than Mere Words workshops. If these sessions have been attended, this workshop will be redundant.

Based upon Steve Robbins book, “What If? Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue,” this monthly series will use these stories in a facilitated dia-logue exploring the crucial conversations around diversity and inclusion. These conversations are often perceived as being “too political” or “too emotional,” but as the author points out, it pro-vides “the difference between what we think we know and what we actually know.” Note: These classes will not count towards the Continuum of Learning Certificate.

Dates, Locations, and Times (attend as many as you like):

Wednesday, September 15, 2010– SU 316C (Cape Florida), 1:00-3:00 PM Tuesday, October 5, 2010– SU 316B (Cape Florida), 1:00-3:00 PM Tuesday, November 9, 2010– SU 221AB (Garden Key), 1:00-3:00 PM

Facilitator: Michael Freeman

Co-facilitators: Edwanna Andrews (9/15), Yselande Pierre (10/5), Chantel Carter (11/9)

WHAT IF? CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS FOR CHANGE (DIV068)

Note: Each monthly short story will be posted on our website and participants are asked to read the story ahead of our dialogue session.

Distribution: All Without OPS

https://my.ucf.edu

We all have had the experience of not knowing what to do when some-one makes a joke or comment that is offensive. Do we confront them? Ignore them? What should we do? How do we challenge our-selves on our own hidden prejudices? This workshop offers suggestions about what to do in such circumstances. It also includes role-playing of some common, everyday situations.

Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon

Location: Rosen Campus, Library Instruction Room


MICROAGGRESSIONS– MANIFESTATION, DYNAMICS, AND IMPACT (DIV067)

INTERRUPTING BIGOTRY (DIV004)

DIVERSITY IN PERSONAL LEARNING APPROACHES (DIV051) Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010

Time: 1:30-4:30 PM



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This important two-part leadership series is based upon the research and work of Dr. Derald Wing Sue. It expands on the previous Micromessages of Communication class to explore, as Dr. Sue states, “the damaging consequences of everyday prejudice, bias, and discrimination upon marginalized groups in our society.” These invisible but powerful forms of communication often render the receiver, and others who witness it, margin-alized, threatened, and demeaned. Its consequences, personally, interpersonally, and organizationally, are measured in loss of individual performance, team dysfunction, and organizational turnover. This workshop also will provide tools for leaders in creating more inclusive environments for individual and organizational success.

Learning is key in any academic setting. Yet, not all individuals learn in the same way. People learn information for different purposes, prefer the information to be structured in various ways, and have preferences for how active they wish to be in their own learning process. In this workshop, participants take, score, and inter-pret the Personal Learning Insights Profile so that they will better understand their own personal learning approaches. Recognition is given to the fact that differences in learning approaches is just another way in which human diversity manifests it-self. Note: Workshop requires an interdepartmental transfer or cash/check payment of $20.00. Call (407)-823-6479 for details.

ABCS OF DIVERSITY (DIV008)

Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Time: 1:00-4:00 PM

Location: SU 221AB (Garden Key)


Human diversity impacts each of us on a daily basis. Gaining an understanding of differences and similarities is essential for effective functioning in today’s work environment. This workshop focuses on how stereotypes and biases can get in the way when creating a diverse and inclusive space for all employees. Participants develop ABC action plans for en-hancing awareness and appreciation for diversity.

Dates (attend both):

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Thursday, November 4, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon



Dates (attend all three):

Friday, October 1, 2010– Part 1 Friday, October 15, 2010– Part 2 Friday, October 29, 2010– Part 3

Time: 2:00-5:00 PM



Milk is a 2008 biographical film on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, and one of the first three in the United States as a whole, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Ultimately, it received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, winning two for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Sean Penn and Best Original Screenplay.

Film: Milk (DIV106)

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Location: SU 220 (Sand Key)


COLOR OF FEAR (DIV045)

PIZZA FOR PEACE FILM SERIES

INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION & SUBORDINATION– THE DOING AND UNDOING OF IT ALL (DIV070)

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Time: 1:00-3:00 PM



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• The Color of Fear 1 is an insightful, groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. In a series of intelligent, emotional and dramatic confrontations the men reveal the pain and scars that racism has caused them. What emerges is a deeper sense of understanding and trust. This is the dialogue most of us fear, but hope will happen sometime in our lifetime.

• The Color of Fear 2: Walking Each Other Home explores in greater depth the inti-mate relationship that the eight men had with each other. The European Ameri-can men express how they felt when the men of color were angry, why they were afraid, and what they discovered about themselves and each other as men of European descent.

• The Color of Fear 3 is an intimate conversation on what it is to be gay in this soci-ety and the impact on one’s sense of safety and identity. Through personal stories and interactions, we have a glimpse into the fears, the stereotypes, and moral issues that are dividing and confronting us today.

Internalized oppression is the process where members of a target or subordinate group (people of color, women, LGBT persons, persons with disabilities, and the poor) take the lies, myths, and stereotypes that are said about them and internalize these thoughts, resulting in beliefs of self-hate, hate of one’s own group, and feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. This workshop will explore the process of internal-ized oppression and subordination, and its impact; personally, interpersonally, and institutionally, as well as the societal ramifications. Participants will leave with tools to recognize and address this important issue in an understanding of building inclusive and fair institutions and communities. Pre-requisite for this workshop is an understanding of Power and Privilege dynamics.

Film: Precious (DIV107)

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Location: SU 224 (Egmont Key)

Facilitators: Michael Freeman and Mary Mann, MSW

An adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel about an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. Clareece "Precious" Jones is only a teenager, yet she's about to give birth to her second child. Unable to read or write, Clareece shows little prospect for the future until discov-ering that she has been accepted into an alternative school, where she gets the chance to start over.

http://www.fandango.com/sapphire/filmography/p611644

INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION (DIV053)

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GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES (DIV071)

Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Time: 1:30-4:30 PM



Gender differences in communication have been a source of fascination for many years. Popular books and videos by authors such as Deborah Tannen (You Just Don’t Understand: Men and Women in Conversation), John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), and Pat Heim (Invisible Rules: Men, Women, and Teams) have offered convincing arguments that gender differences in communication do exist, and they have summarized just how these divergent styles manifest themselves. Yet, other writers such as Mark Tripp suggest that these differences may be insignificant or nonexistent for some types of communication. This workshop explores some of the more popular views on “masculine” and “feminine” communication styles.

“WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER!” BUILDING INCLUSIVE SPACES THROUGH ALLY RELATIONSHIPS (DIV066)

Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Time: 9:30AM-12:00 Noon



The responsibility of building and sustaining spaces of inclusion and success in our work teams, organizations, and in our community belongs to all of us. The “art” of interrupting marginalizing behavior and challenging policies and processes that do not serve everyone requires awareness, knowledge and most importantly skills to suc-cessfully address and facilitate those conversations. This workshop will explore the difference between “ally acting” vs. “ally thinking,” and share skills and techniques for being an ally across multiple dimensions of identity.

Note: This workshop is NOT the Allies Advance workshop.

Date: Monday, October 18, 2010

Time: 1:30-4:30 PM

Location: SU 316A (Cape Florida)


This workshop identifies some common mistakes made when communicating about age, class, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, language, looks, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It also highlights words, phrases, and behaviors that can enhance the process of communicating about and across various dimensions of influence. Note: Workshop requires an interdepartmental transfer or cash/check payment of $10.00. Call (407)-823-6479 for details.

Date: Friday, October 22, 2010

Time: 2:30-4:30 PM

Location: SU 316D (Cape Florida)


DOTS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR “HIDDEN” BIASES (DIV031)

In order to appreciate, respect, and value others, it is important to rec-ognize that our life experiences and the individuals in our lives have influenced our thoughts and feelings regarding the people present in our worlds. In this workshop, participants are guided through an activity that allows them to discover biases that may exist “in their heads.” Fur-ther, the session facilitates understanding of how these views impact the ways in which we relate to one another.

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES (DIV000)

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Dates (attend all four):

Tuesday, November 9, 2010– On the Threshold of Change Tuesday, November 16, 2010– Gender & Sexual Orientation Workplace Issues Tuesday, November 23, 2010– Race, Ethnicity, Language, & Religion Workplace Issues Tuesday, November 30, 2010– Age & Physical Ability Workplace Issues

Time: 2:30-4:30 PM



The world looks different today than it has in the past, and as a consequence, new ways of interacting and communicating with others are required. This four-part program focuses on the legal, ethical, and practical issues organizations face in this dynamic new environment while demonstrating how we can use human diversity to maximize competence and performance.

THE ABCS OF DISCRIMINATION SERIES (DIV069)

Dates (attend all three):

Monday, November 15, 2010– True Colors and Under Suspicion (race) Monday, November 22, 2010– Linguistic Profiling (voice/race) and The Ugly Truth (looks) Monday, November 29, 2010– Age & Attitudes (age) and The Fairer Sex? (gender)

Time: 2:00-4:30 PM



In past years, ABC News Exposés addressed the issues of racism, ageism, and discrimination based on gender, looks, and voice. Using the original films, this three part series examines where we were “then” and explores what, if any, progress has been made to alleviate discrimination.

UPCOMING ODI EVENTS – FALL 2010

DiversiTea

“The Holocaust: A Survivor’s Story” Wednesday, September 22, 2010 * 12:00 Noon-1:30 PM (please RSVP to [email protected])

Diversity Week 2010

“Honoring Diversity: A Nation of Nations” November 1-5, 2010

Diversity Breakfast

November 1, 2010 * 8:00-10:00 AM * UCF Student Union

—For more information on any of these events, please visit http://www.diversity.ucf.edu—

Diversity Philosophy

We live in a global community that is becoming increas-ingly intertwined and interdependent. Demographic, technological, cultural, and economic changes no longer afford us the luxury of living in isolated enclaves. These dramatic shifts and trends require that our educational systems equip us to live and work with a wide variety of peoples. To survive and thrive in a modern organization like UCF means to understand that each of us is mutually connected to the other. An increasingly diverse society expects that higher education will meet the varied learn-ing needs of its citizens by providing effective diversity instruction and experiences. To this end, the Unity Star distributed by this office represents opportunities avail-able to UCF’s students, staff, and faculty to build under-standing, appreciation, and respect for human diversity.

Office of Diversity Initiatives 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169

Orlando, FL 32826

Phone: 407-823-6479 Fax: 407-823-6480

E-mail: [email protected]

Consultations: An individual or group meeting to assist in planning diversity related programs, events, and activities. Consultations may occur face-to-face, by e-mail, or by telephone. Presentations: We make presentations to classes, departments, organizations, student groups, and external organizations. Our presentations cover a variety of topics to meet specific needs. Training: Selected topics in English and Spanish

SERVICES

C HECK US OUT ONLINE!

HTTP:// WWW. DIVERSITY. UCF. EDU

Completion certificates are available as follows: Diversity Certificate Series – for completing all four mod-ules; ABCs of Discrimination Certificate – for completing all three sessions; Pizza for Peace Certificate– for attend-ing any five sessions; Continuum of Learning Certificate – for completing any four workshops other than those listed above.

Valarie Greene King, Ph.D., Director

Michael Freeman, Assistant Director

Barbara Thompson, Assistant Director

Katie Pomp, Administrative Assistant

Carmen Afonso, Executive Secretary

Yara Asi, Program Assistant

Lynnsey Hicks, Graduate Assistant

Temika Vaughns, Student Assistant

Nicholas Phelps, Student Assistant

Office of Diversity Initiatives Staff

unity star fall 2010

Documents