LA CROSSE. (WEAU) – Coulee Region universities work to apply the themes from Black History Month all year.
February is a month to celebrate the contributions of African Americans across the country.
Viterbo University hopes those contributions will continue. Therefore, faculty are trying to create an equitable campus environment that is more welcoming to all students.
Marlene de La Cruz-Guzman, Vice President for Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the schools, is working hard to create enduring equity standards for the university that will shape it for many years.
Cruz-Guzman explained, “We have had trainings,” but they were only one-off or short-term. We are looking at significant programming, leadership training institutes, workshops, and that would start in the summer or fall. This will be geared towards providing long-term visions of D-E-I learning.
Cruz-Guzman states that all members of the Viterbo community must be involved in the planning process.
Cruz-Guzman stated that diversity, equity and inclusion are all our jobs. We were looking at different schools, colleges, divisions, and asking what do you need to do? How can we help you do this better.
Cruz-Guzman stated that we must focus on diversity, equity, inclusion in a way that isn’t a standard workshop or program being made for you. Rather, one that you are creating based upon your needs, your desires, where your faculty and students need to grow.
Dr. Jonathan Locust from Winona is very familiar with equity objectives.
Locust, Winona States Associate vice president of Equity and Inclusive Excellence was instrumental in the creation of 15 goalsTo ensure equal opportunities for all students
Locust stated, “Our goal is to ensure that everyone has the same chance of graduating regardless of their appearance or how they identify.”
Locust believes that those goals will help turn the tide for groups who have historically struggled at Winona State.
Locust stated that African American males have the lowest graduation rate. It’s not because they get into trouble or that their grades are poor. They run out of money so we have things like the wealth building series and our George Floyd scholarship.
Many of these objectives require open discussion among campus communities about racism and cultural diversity.
Locust explained that one of our main priorities has been to find ways to bring people together strategically without a lot noise.
Locust State will be watching for specific outcomes to ensure that the goals are achieved.
People in lower socioeconomic brackets are able to graduate at a similar rate to people who are more financially secure. Students of color are able to graduate at a similar rate to white people. And then, people whose guardians or parents did go to college have the same chance as those who did.
Winona State will also create a Bias Response team to provide students with a resource when they are confronted by prejudice.
Copyright 2022 WEAU. All rights reserved.
