Chair/Lead:  DEI Team

Members: Kristell Benson, Karla Jurgemeyer, Kirk Martinson, Ezra Plemons, Ann Schaenzer, Shelbie Pleskonko, Mike Strand, Rebecca Machado, Roberta Lembke

The Problem

All LITS staff participate in campus-wide DEI training, but the campus training does not provide the more focused attention to LITS-specific areas.

Goals

To help LITS staff develop a deeper understanding, appreciation, and interest in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion through discussions and training provided by the college and LITS.

Actions Taken

• The DEI Committee will be consistently included in the monthly LITS meeting agenda. The committee will report out on activities and events, as well as report out on progress towards meeting our annual goals.

The LITS DEI team will identify specific skills and training appropriate for the LITS staff including topics suggested by the survey feedback from LITS staff. Areas of interest include developing discussion skills, onboarding skills, and intervention skills. 

Accomplishments so Far 

The DEI Team led discussions on multiple topics at several all-staff LITS meetings. These discussions (both as a large group and as small breakout groups) have included the following:

• A Class Divided (documentary)
• Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble (book)
• A discussion regarding the campus-wide Diversity Training
• ‘White Fragility’ is Everywhere.  But Does Antiracism Training Work. (New York Times article)
• Progress Reports
• Surveys