The Council on Equity and Inclusion’s principal work this year is to develop a plan for equity and inclusion and to identify how to measure success in fulfilling it. Since being formed in October, the Council has worked to educate itself as to where the college stands in regard to these matters so that it can develop an actionable and relevant plan. Once the heavy lifting of the development of the plan is done, the roles of assessment, listening, reporting, and connecting will move to the forefront.

In developing a vision and plan for equity and inclusion at St. Olaf, the Council is drawing on the work of the Task Force and Working Group and building on this fall’s progress report. The Council’s goal is to ensure that the plan it develops recognizes the accomplishments of our community while it identifies the areas where work is needed.

To that purpose, it has continued to meet with directors and others who have aspects of equity and inclusion as significant aspects of their work. That has included the directors of To Include is To Excel, SSS, the Center for Advising and Academic Support, TRIO McNair, and the leaders of the GE Task Force.

Vision for Equity and Inclusion

In January, the Council invited alumni, faculty, staff, and students to share their thoughts and ideas to facilitate the development of a vision statement that will guide the equity and inclusion plan. We would like to thank the 61 members of our community who contributed feedback, which will play an important role in informing the plan. What did we hear from you? There is some skepticism, both from those who doubt the aims and utility of the effort and from those who want to see the college advancing faster than they feel that it is. Overwhelmingly, however, contributors express support for the work of equity and inclusion and shared ideas for advancing. Some of you approach equity and inclusion from the perspective of the college’s mission and St. Olaf’s distinctive history and Lutheran tradition. Others bring personal experience, and still others bring a scholarly approach. Some respondents identify particular areas that we should be working on: that we should address equity and inclusion for those of our community who represent diversity of race, gender identity and sexual orientation, mental health and neurology, class, and physical ability. Generally, those of you who shared your vision think that we should devote energy to educating and training ourselves and to thinking about how we can improve our skills— become culturally competent—in the classroom, the residence hall, and the workplace. Below is a “word cloud” of your ideas and concerns.

What Comes Next

• Look for an invitation (coming soon!) to come speak with a member of the Council.
• Look for an invitation to provide feedback on a draft of the Vision for Equity and Inclusion.
• Later in the semester, we’ll be seeking your advice on the plan for Equity and Inclusion.

Changes in Council Membership

Danely Quiroz and Mac Austin are stepping away from the Council. We have appreciated their membership and wish them the best. Norma Charlton, of the Taylor Center, will be stepping in as a staff representative. Tahir Ahsan ’20 joins Tashonna Douglas ’21 as a student representative.

Who We Are, What We Do

The Council on Equity and Inclusion serves as a resource for equity and inclusion at St. Olaf. Its establishment, and its role in planning and assessing, advising, serving as a sounding board, and connecting the equity and inclusion work of individuals and offices and groups across campus, helps ensure that the college moves forward on this essential work of ensuring that St. Olaf is a place where students, staff, and faculty members can thrive.