Last semester saw an array of wonderful activities for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. We had a great time planning and preparing for Diversity Week. We had a historical guest speaker at the Diversity Breakfast, Mr. Julian Bond, as well as a record-breaking Retired U.S. Air Force pilot/author, Colonel Richard Toliver, at the fall DiversiTea. We also welcomed our new Chief Diversity Officer, Karen Morrison, to the UCF family. We want to thank every one of you that participated, presented, sat in the audience, and contributed to making this your Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

As we initiate 2015, there will be numerous changes coming your way. We are introducing four new workshops this semester, and we welcome back Ms. Tee Rogers, who will be presenting Secular and Religious

Minority Awareness on February 25 and April 24. This semester we also will witness the revamping of the ODI website, and our very own Barbara Thompson has some great plans underway for the Summer Faculty Development Conference in May. We hope you join us!

Unity StarNewsletter

Spring 2015Distribution: All Without OPS and F

Recap and Coming Soon

One month into my tenure as Chief Diversity Officer one thing is quite clear to me – the university leadership and community are committed to excellence and innovation. My hiring represents a new approach to developing an inclusive culture and structure. UCF has many programs designed to improve diverse representation and experience. My job is to support that work and bring cohesion to efforts as leaders in higher education diversity and inclusion. We are articulating our mission, vision and foundational work in new ways:

The mission of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to collaborate with the University of Central Florida communi-ty to advocate for and educate about the university’s goal of becoming more diverse and inclusive.

Our vision is to position UCF as a center of excellence that is nationally recognized as a higher education model for our diversity and inclusion practices, policies, and culture.

UCF is strongest as a higher education institution, employ-er and community leader when we bring diverse thought and experience to our decision-making, teaching, research,

and interactions amongst community members. Respect for and inclusion of diverse voices

• Drive innovative thought and action; • Maximize the talent and contributions of faculty, staff

and students;• Improve recruitment and retention; and • Provide for a campus more representative of our con-

stituents and Central Florida partners.

Recognizing that each of us is an intersection of many as-pects of diversity emphasizes the complexity of our expe-riences and the need to develop a culture that appreciates difference and sees diversity as a strength in our role as educational leaders.

I invite you to participate in our trainings and events and contribute your unique experience to the suc-cess of UCF diversity and inclusion work.

A Message from our Chief Diversity Officer

Top left: Civil Rights Era Leader and American University Professor, Julian Bond, spoke at the 2014 Diversity Breakfast. Left: Mr. Bond with President Hitt and Dr. Schell. Top: Col. Richard Toliver signs a copy of his book immediately after his presentation in November. A copy of his book, An Uncaged Eagle, is available in the UCF Library.

ODI Spotlight

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Hank Lewis is the Coordinator for the Quality Enhancement Plan & SACSCOC Reaffirmation at the University of Central Florida. He has spent more than 30 years in higher education, working from Adjunct Instructor to President of private proprietary colleges in Georgia and Florida, and as a consultant in licensure and accreditation. He has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops on a wide range of LGBTQ+ issues. He is currently President of the Pride Faculty & Staff Association at UCF, advisor for Equal at the University of Central Florida, is an LGBTQ+ Safe Zone facilitator, and is a Secular Safe Zone ally. He facilitates the LGBTQ+ Spirituality student affinity group through LGBTQ+ Services and spent more than 25 years working for various

churches in Georgia and Florida. Hank formerly served as a member

of the board of directors of the LGBT Community Center in Orlando, Joy Metropolitan Community Church, Joy

Charities, Inc., the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, and the rules committee for the Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education. He also served as UCF representative to the Zebra Coalition and the Metropolitan Business Association (LGBT Chamber of Commerce) in Orlando.

Maria Beckman is the Director of the UCF Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs and UCF’s Title IX Coordinator. Ms. Beckman also is an attorney and has practiced in the civil rights area since 1994. She has served as an attorney in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Civil Rights Law Office and Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training. Ms. Beckman also has practiced as a civil rights attorney in New York City, as well as having her own private law practice in Florida. She previously has taught civil rights courses, including Constitutional Law and Gender, Sexuality and the Law and will teach Contemporary Issues in Law: Gender and Sexuality in the spring 2015 semester at UCF. She is the author of several book chapters

Maria Beckman

Hank Lewis

concerning discrimination law issues. Ms. Beckman received her Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) and her Juris Doctor degree (with honors) from The Ohio State University.

On Wednesday, March 25, Ms. Beckman will be the guest speaker for this semester’s DiversiTea event, Title IX’s Requirements for Addressing Sexual Harassment in University Environments. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of

1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance-including university programs. Please join us for a discussion about Title IX’s requirements and how you can help.

Mr. Lewis will be presenting The Upstairs Lounge Fire: The Intersectionality of Religion and LGBTQ+ People, on February 26. Please visit your MyUCF Account to register for this or any of our Diversity Workshps.

Titl

e IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the bene�ts of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educa-tion program or activity receiving Federal �nancial assistance.

Diversity Activity GrantsThe Diversity Activity Grants pro-gram is designed to help fund activities and/or speakers that will enhance the UCF goal “to become more inclusive and diverse.” Grants of up to $250* may be awarded.

This program is limited to UCF registered student organizations and faculty and staff organizations. Please note: We are only accepting applications from organizationswho have not received this grant within the past two years.

You may download an application on our website, www.diveristy.ucf.edu.

*Your request may not be fully funded. DAG funds cannot be used for food or any other items restricted for purchase with E & G funds.

ABCs OF DIVERSITY (DIV008)• Wednesday, February 4, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Location: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm. 106• Tuesday, February 24, 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

BARNGA (DIV077)Thursday, January 29, 2:30 - 4:30 PM Location: Human Resources, OD&T Training Room on Progress Drive Facilitator: Patty Farris

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES (Attend all four modules to receive completion certificate):MODULES 1 & 2 (DIV210)Tuesday, January 20, 1:00 - 5:00 PMMODUELS 3 & 4 (DIV211)Tuesday, January 27, 1:00 - 5:00 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169

MODULE 1 (DIV212)Thursday, February 12, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PMMODULE 2 (DIV213) Thursday, March 5, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PMMODULE 3 (DIV214)Thursday, March 19, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PMMODULE 4 (DIV215)Thursday, March 26, 10:45 AM - 12:45 PMLocation for individual module presentations: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm 315Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

EXAMINING THE REAL DISABILITY BARRIERS (DIV223)• Wednesday, January 28, 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Location: SU Garden Key Room 221• Monday, February 16, 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Location: SU Cape Florida Ballroom 316AB• Tuesday, March 31, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: SU Key West Ballroom 218CD Facilitators: Student Disability Services Staff

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION(DIV071)Friday, March 20, 2:30 - 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

MICRO-MESSAGES AND MICROAGGRESSIONS: IMPACTS ON INCLUSION (DIV225)Wednesday, April 15, 9:00 AM - 12:00 NoonLocation: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Rm 255Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIV226)• Friday, February 6, 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169• Wednesday, February 25, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Location: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - 42 (DIV143)Monday, March 23, 9:00 AM - 12:00 NoonLocation: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304 Facilitator: Barbara ThompsonNote: This event is part of the UCF Valencia Osceola “Spring Fling Day.”

PEACE FILM SERIES - MISS REPRESENTATION (DIV151)Wednesday, March 18, 9:00 AM - 12:00 NoonLocation: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - THE NORMAL HEART (DIV152)• Thursday, January 29, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Location: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Rm 255• Monday, March 16, 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - THE PURITY MYTH (DIV120)Monday, April 20, 3:00 - 5:00 PMLocation: UCF Valencia West, Bldg. 11, Rm 107Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Spring 2015 Workshop and Training ScheduleTO REGISTER:

• Faculty and Staff ONLY, register online via your My UCF account at https://my.ucf.edu.• Students or OPS, please e-mail your name, phone number, and PID/employee I.D. number to

diverse@ucf.edu. • For the Safe Zone LGBTQ+ 101 workshops, use http://safezone.sdes.ucf.edu/training.

For detailed descriptions of the diversity workshops offered, visit www.diversity.ucf.edu. Other opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (407) 823-6479, or by e-mailing diverse@ucf.edu. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted. Please note that LOCATIONS VARY.

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Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant,

Diversity Breakfast Coordinator

Dayanara HudsonProgram Assistant

Judith GeneusOffice Assistant

Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary

LEP Coordinator

Stefanie CampbellLEGACY Coordinator

Morgan Forestier Student Assistant

Services

Diversity Includes All of Us - All the Time

12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169, Orlando, FL 32826Ph: (407) 823-6479 F: 407-823-6480 E: diverse@ucf.edu W: www.diversity.ucf.edu

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @UCFODI

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Diversity anD inclusion staff

PEACE FILM SERIES - TOUGH GUISE 2 (DIV227)Thursday, February 5, 1:00 - 4:00 PMLocation: UCF Valencia Osceola, Bldg. 4, Rm. 304Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR UCF’S CULTURAL COMPETENCIES (DIV150) ONLINEVisit: www.diversity.ucf.edu/online_workshops.asp,and follow the instructions. You must complete all three sections with a score of 75% or higher to receive credit.

REFLECTIONS OF WOMEN IN THE MEDIA (DIV229)Wednesday, March 4, 1:00 - 3:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitators: Alexandria Ellsworth & Dayanara Hudson

THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW(Attend all four to receive completion certificate)PROGRAMS 1 & 2 (DIV201)Monday, February 23, 12:00 - 4:00 PMPROGRAMS 3 & 4 (DIV202)Monday, March 2, 12:00 - 4:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

SAFE ZONE LGBTQ+ 101 (DIV033) FORMERLY ALLIES ADVANCE• Wednesday, January 14, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Location: Health Center, Rm 206• Thursday, February 12, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Location: Libra Community Center Classroom• Thursday, March 19, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Health Center, Rm 206Location subject to change. Please visit http://safezone.sdes.ucf.edu/training to register and confirm location.Facilitators: TBA

SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS MINORITY AWARENESS (DIV224)• Wednesday, February 25, 2:30 - 4:30 PM• Friday, April 24, 2:30 - 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Tee Rogers

THE UPSTAIRS LOUNGE FIRE: THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF RELIGION AND LGBTQ+ PEOPLE (DIV230)Thursday, February 26 3:00 - 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Hank Lewis

Karen Morrison, J.D.Chief Diversity Officer

Barbara Thompson Assistant Director

Spring 2015 Workshop and Training Schedule - Continued

For those wishing to apply to the LEP Program, applications will be available at the end of January. It may be downloaded from our website or from the UCF announcements page. For additional information, please contact Carmen Afonso at (407) 823-3643 or carmen.afonso@ucf.edu.

Leadership Enhancment Program Update

2014-2015 LEP Participants with Dr. Hitt during their orientation session.

You can now Like Us on Facebook!Search for the UCF Leadership Enhance-ment Program.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is available for individual, group, or classroom meetings in the form of Consultations, Presentations, and Training. For more information visit www.diversity.ucf.edu/consult.asp.