AN UPDATE FROM THE INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Greetings St. Olaf Community,

On November 20, the LGBTQIA+ community lost five members and seventeen were wounded in an attack at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our hearts go out to their families and community.

As we enter the month of December, I just want to share that it truly has been a pleasure meeting members of the community, and I look forward to meeting more next semester. My hope is that each of you have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Dr. Reginald H. Miles
Interim Vice President, Equity and Inclusion

December Days are here…

• Posse Selection for Fall 2023– Members of our community (Chris George, Justin Fleming, Mari Avaloz, Gladys Cortes, and Eric Hazlett) will be part of the selection process for the next cohort of Posse students. Currently, we have two Chicago Posse cohorts (juniors and seniors), Bay Area cohort (sophomores) and another Bay Area and virtual cohort (first year). Big thank you to our mentors: Catherine Ramirez, Eric Hazlett, Ariel Strichartz, Trish Zimmerman, and Corliss Swain.
• International Awareness Week December 1-10 (Hosted by the International Student Organization, ISO)

• Christmas Festival– December 2-3

• Various Department Faculty searches have occurred this semester, and I have been part of the selection process along with other     colleagues across campus.

Meet Members of Our Community

President’s Leadership Team (PLT) Spotlight
Name: Michael Kyle
Position: Vice President, Enrollment and College Relations
Areas Responsible for: Admissions & Financial Aid, Marketing & Communications, Music Organizations, and Conferences, Campus and Events Management
Michael has three direct reports.
From: White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Education:
B.A. Political Science, St. Olaf College

1. When did you start your St. Olaf journey on the President’ s Leadership Team?
   I started as Vice President and Dean of Enrollment in 2004 and then about 10 years ago had Marketing & Communications, Music Organizations, Broadcast/Media Services, and Campus Events added to my portfolio.
2. Why did you want to work at St. Olaf College?
   Starting in the early 1990s, I was given opportunities to try new things and help establish new programs such as the Buntrock Academic Scholarship program and helping install the Admissions office’s first pc-based information management system. In addition, I also worked in the Advancement division from 1998 – 2004. I’m grateful for the many opportunities I’ve been given for personal and professional growth, wanting to be at a place that is truly-student centered and where values are central to what we do as a college.
3. What do you enjoy most about being on the PLT?
   Being able to benefit from the experiences and perspectives of my colleagues, all of whom have a big set of commitments and responsibilities. They are in turn receptive to my thoughts and ideas for their own work, and all care deeply about the college’s mission and being student-focused and centered.
4. What is your definition of an inclusive community?
   An inclusive community is one that actively encourages everyone to bring their whole self and encourages everyone to think about their words/tone/attitudes interacting with others who are both familiar to them and others who come from a very different background. An inclusive community must be open to listening to different ideas and perspectives and also offering grace when we fall short of even our highest expectations.
5. Define your leadership style.
   I am a firm believer that everyone’s best work gets done through other people. In addition, I think it is important to lead by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and not feeling afraid to challenge the status quo. I’ve used this before: soon is not a time (have deadlines and stick to them), some is not a number (most things can and should be quantified), and hope is not a strategy (executing on goals requires discipline, focus, and a relentless pursuit of the facts).
6. What is your recommendation for aspiring leaders?
   Everyone wants to see a path for themselves in this community. I’d rather have a team member move within the College for advancement or new opportunities than to lose them to another employer. It is important for others to be on the lookout for campus wide opportunities to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
7. No one knows that I….have shaken hands with Billy Joel, Ozzie Osbourne, and Tom Hanks during the course of my St. Olaf work!

President’s Leadership Team (PLT) Spotlight
Name: Jan Hanson
Position: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Areas Responsible for: Budgets, Business Office (Accounts Payable, Student Accounts, Payroll), Endowment, Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, and Risk Management (Insurance)
Jan has five direct reports.
From: Jan grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin between Oshkosh and Madison.
Education:
B.B.A. Accounting, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
M.S. Educational Administration, University of Wisconsin, Madison

1. When did you start your St. Olaf journey on the President’s Leadership Team?
   March 2014
2. Why did you want to work at St. Olaf College?
   I had a fabulous mentor who graduated from St. Olaf. After working for the Wisconsin state system for over 20 years and knowing about the institution’s reputation, I knew St. Olaf College would be a good fit for me to serve students in this capacity.
3. What do you enjoy most about being on the PLT?
   I enjoy my interactions with colleagues and having an impact on students even though I have no direct contact with them. I believe we are educating leaders for tomorrow. We need to make sure our students have the values that St. Olaf College provides before they graduate.
4. What is your definition of an inclusive community?
   An inclusive community is one in which you feel comfortable making connections and being included and not being afraid to speak out when you have to speak up.
5. Define your leadership style.
   My leadership style is providing enough leadership and direction to my team and individuals so they can do what they need to do without feeling micromanaged, while having the expectation that I am kept in the loop. In addition, I am always available to my team and they can come to me with questions. I empower and support my team.
6. What is your recommendation for aspiring leaders?
   Don’t be afraid to be bold and try new things. Never say, “That’s always how it has been done.”
7. No one knows that I….enjoy riding on the back of motorcycles. Jan has two sons and four grandchildren.

Upcoming Dates

Off Campus Event- Winter Walk in Northfield

• Thursday, December 8 5pm-10pm
• Winter Walk Information
• Experience downtown Northfield by candlelight. Stroll through unique shops, dine at fine restaurants, enjoy caroling, sleigh rides, storytelling, decorated store fronts, and much more.
• This event is free to attend. Location: Historic Downtown Northfield

Fall 2021 Student Survey Results on thriving and belonging are now available!

• Fall 2021 Student survey results
• National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climate (NACCC)
• This is a snapshot of our student data. More will be shared soon. There will be opportunities for conversations during the next round of Co-Creating conversations (Spring 2023)
• Please note that some of the results will be integrated in our DEI Dashboard

Bias Response

St. Olaf College is committed to fostering a welcoming community for all students, faculty, and staff. An informed awareness of the climate on campus is an important part of the college’s efforts to create a supportive academic and residential environment for our community. The college does not tolerate any bias incidents toward its community members. The college expects its students, faculty, and staff to refrain from acts of intolerance directed at other members, including (but not limited to) harassment, hate speech, and discrimination. Reporting Bias
What is a bias incident?
A bias incident is any behavior or actions directed against a person or property that includes the use of slurs expressing prejudice on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression, but is not a criminal offense.
Examples of Bias Incidents Include:

• Using offensive language or slang based on a person’s identity
• Offensive social media post
• Tampering property
• Violent acts

What are microaggressions?
Microaggressions are brief, common exchanges that are often automatic and unintentional. They include verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative insults to a targeted group or individuals based on race, color, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Examples of Microaggressions include:

• Comments that single out a person based on their identity
• Deliberately not using a transgender person’s preferred pronouns
• Excluding a person due to religious practices

The Bias Response Team contains members of our community and some of the members serve in an advisory role with a goal of confirming that each case is addressed.
Members of the Team Include:

• Derek Kruse, Director of Public Safety (Advisory Group)
• Pamela McDowell, Title IX Coordinator (Advisory Group)
• Martin Olague, Director of Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion (Advisory Group)
• David Castro, Faculty Representative (Advisory Group)
• Grace Cho, Faculty Representative (Advisory Group)
• Christopher Medley (Medley), Associate Dean of Students (Advisory Group)
• Rosalyn Easton, Dean of Students
• Leslie Moore, VP for Human Resources
• Reginald Miles, Chair of Bias Response Team

What happens when a bias incident report is submitted?

1. The Interim Vice President of Equity and Inclusion contacts the reporting party to acknowledge that the bias incident report has been received.
2. The report is sent to the appropriate individuals (below) to manage the case. Appropriate parties are contacted about the case and the cases are investigated. The College’s General Counsel is involved at times due to the severity of the case.
3. Individuals managing cases will report back to the advisory group with the result of their cases at the end of each month.
4. Each report will indicate whether the incident is bias and be part of the College’s tracking and reporting.

Students

• Student submits a report regarding another student – Dean of Students will manage the case
• Student submits a report regarding a faculty member- VP for Equity and Inclusion will manage the case
• Student submits a report regarding a staff member-VP for Human Resources will manage the case

Faculty

• Faculty member submits a report regarding another faculty member- VP for Equity and Inclusion will work with the Provost’s Office
• Faculty member submits a report regarding a staff member- VP for Human Resources will manage the case
• Faculty member submits a report regarding a student- VP for Equity and Inclusion will manage the case

Staff

• Staff member submits a report regarding another staff member- VP for Human Resources will manage the case
• Staff member submits a report regarding a faculty member- VP for Human Resources will manage the case
• Staff member submits a report regarding a student- VP for Human Resources will manage the case

DEI Symposium -Tuesday, April 4, 2023-Save the Date

Key Days in December

• 19: Hanukkah
• 21: First Day of Winter
• 25: Christmas Day
• 26: Kwanzaa
• 31: New Year’s Eve

Your DEI newsletter will return in February 2023