The Springfield College Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Springfield College remains steadfast in its commitment to equality and fair treatment for all. As a campus we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful campus community, not only in vision but in practice. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is rooted in the belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to academic excellence.
We pledge to keep our theme - Silence is Not an Option - at the forefront of our programming this year, as we address the many ways that we as a campus community can live our mission of leadership in service to others.
The Springfield College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitment
Springfield College is committed to building a stronger community, recognizing that our students, faculty, staff, and alumni enrich us through their distinctiveness, their experiences, and their perspectives. Over the next 12-18 months we will strengthen our campus culture by focusing on the following broad areas, each grounded in our Humanics mission.
In our efforts, we will define diversity as broadly as possible, understanding that our learning and living community is enhanced by all perspectives. Similarly, we recognize that this work is developmental in nature and, importantly, we affirm the value of all voices and welcome the vulnerability that precedes growth.
Commitment Pillars
- We will increase diverse representation in our faculty, staff, and students.
- We will encourage engagement and courageous participation in programs and conversations.
- We will contribute, lead, and serve in our local community.
- We will educate for social justice, advocacy, and action in our curricular and co-curricular programs.
- We will recognize the College’s complex history related to race and social justice, seeking to use the past as a tool for learning and a foundation for future action.
Springfield College recognizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as core values. The quality of the campus experience is strengthened through working and learning with people from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our goal is not only to make a difference among our community, but to improve equity and justice for all on a global scale.
Fall 2020 Initiatives
Springfield College has established multiple planning committees and advisory boards to support efforts for a more inclusive community overall.
Campus Program Planning Committee on Race
The Campus Program Planning Committee on Race (CPPCR) was established to identify, engage, and launch campuswide programming initiatives with a focus on race. The CPPCR will also serve as one of several resources to the College community along with the the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Office of the Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Trustee Denise Alleyne has graciously agreed to co-chair this committee with Calvin R. Hill, PhD. Trustee Alleyne is a retired vice president of Student Services at Pine Manor College where she earned an undergraduate degree (1973) and graduate degree (1974).
Inaugural planning body:
- James Kaishian (Graduate Student Body President)
- Miguel Arce (Faculty)
- Brian Krylowicz (Counseling Center)
- Felicia Lundquist (DEI)
- David McMahon (Spiritual Life)
- Joseph Tirabochi (Campus Police)
- Kurt Aschermann (Trustee)
- Denise Alleyne '73, G'74 (Trustee)
- Charlie Sullivan (Athletics / Coach Volleyball / Faculty)
- Kris Rhim (Student Trustee)
- Alice Fiddian-Green (Faculty)
- Stephanie Logan (Faculty)
- Mary-Beth Cooper (President)
Campus Program Planning Committee on Race Priority Initatives
Improved campus communication
Improved campus communication
This committee will work to compile a comprehensive list of diversity and inclusion programming on campus and develop a marketing strategy using the web, email, and social media to update the campus on the work that is being done to foster a more inclusive and welcoming community.
Better incorporation of the College diversity history into new student and employee orientation
Better incorporation of the College diversity history into new student and employee orientation
This committee will develop historical talking points with a focus on our diversity history that will be shared with New Student Orientation and Human Resources. These talking points should be used during orientation/onboarding to provide new students and employees background on the College diversity legacy.
Identify and secure Black speakers to present at athletics meetings
Identify and secure Black speakers to present at athletics meetings
This committee will work with the director of Athletics to identify and secure Black speakers for Athletic programming.
Further invest in diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs on campus
Further invest in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and programs on campus
This committee will conduct a diversity and inclusion audit, identifying resources and opportunities for increased diversity and inclusion programming on campus. The audit will include, but not be limited to, personnel, financial resources, and time.
Include diversity and inclusion awareness into new faculty/staff orientation
Include diversity and inclusion awareness into new faculty/staff orientation
This committee will work with Human Resources to create a program designed to introduce new faculty and staff on the location, personnel, and programming related to diversity and inclusion on campus.
Engage Faculty Senate to invest in programming focused on teaching in a diverse classroom
Engage Faculty Senate to invest in programming focused on teaching in a diverse classroom
This committee will meet with the Faculty Senate and a representative from the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship to identify how we might explore introducing anti-racism pedagogy, along with strategies for creating a more welcoming and inclusive classroom for our faculty.
Host anti-bias/anti-racism training across campus
Host anti-bias/anti-racism training across campus
This committee will work to develop a series of anti-bias and antiracism training for the campus community. Training will be advertised broadly.
Increase community partnerships to assist with BIPOC student recruitment
Increase community partnerships to assist with BIPOC student recruitment
This committee will identify and facilitate meaningful dialogue with Springfield area partners that can assist us in recruiting city of Springfield students to attend Springfield College.
Develop intergroup dialogue programming
Develop intergroup dialogue (IGD) programming
This committee will work with Felicia Lundquist and continue the work of the campus CIC Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute, which was held in Atlanta June 2-5, 2019. The group will work to bring IGD programming to the campus.
Develop a Courageous Conversation Series
Develop a Courageous Conversation Series
This committee will develop and host a Courageous Conversation Series addressing campus and societal issues worth talking about.
Explore the development of a culturally relevant rubric to ensure that faculty incorporate diversity into their classes
Explore the development of a culturally relevant rubric to ensure that faculty incorporate diversity into their classes
This committee will work to identify or develop a rubric that will ensure that faculty are embedding culturally relevant materials into their courses. We understand that our Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students have a limited representation of faculty that share culturally relevant materials.
Increasing our number of Black faculty in tenure-track positions
Increasing our number of Black faculty in tenure-track positions
This committee will work with staff in Inclusion and Community Engagement, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources to explore how we might increase awareness of campus opportunities for faculty from diverse backgrounds (specifically Black), which we hope will lead to increased applicants, and ultimately increased hires.
Develop and launch a course on systemic racism for incoming students
Develop and launch a course on systemic racism for incoming students
This committee will explore the development of a course with a focus on systemic racism, where students will become familiar with issues and challenges facing BIPOC populations in the United States.
Conduct divisional equity assessments to examine policies and practices across campus
Conduct divisional equity assessments to examine policies and practices across campus
Building off of the student data request, where each division was asked to provide a self-assessment of its diversity and inclusion initiatives, this committee will explore hiring a consultant to examine implicit and/or explicit biases and practices within each division.
Better integrate the School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences and the Office of Regional, Online, and Continuing Education into the campus culture
Better integrate the School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences and the Office of Regional, Online, and Continuing Education into the campus culture
This group will explore programming and logistics to better involve all community members in the work of creating an inclusive and welcoming Springfield College.
Develop a campus anti-racism plan
Develop a campus anti-racism plan
This committee will work to develop and launch a five-year antiracism plan for the campus community.
Evaluate the College endowment portfolio to ensure that those funds in which the College invests share the same values as we do
Evaluate the College endowment portfolio to ensure that those funds in which the College invests share the same values as we do
The Board of Trustees will explore current investments, and identify, if appropriate, strategies to modify the current portfolio of the College to better reflect the values and mission of Springfield College.
Diversity and Transparency in Print and Electronic Media Advisory Board
This board has been established to review and provide suggestions to the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement and the Office of Communications on how to best represent the diversity and vibrancy of Springfield College in print and electronic marketing publications and materials while maintaining a realistic picture of our student demographics.
The advisory board will meet monthly during the academic year with the vice presidents of each division, and at times, other divisional representatives.
Committee on Public Safety Policies, Practices, and Training
Springfield College decries discrimination in any form, yet we recognize the national conversation about the intersection of race and policing, especially the impacts on communities of color. We know that all organizations and institutions are susceptible either consciously or unconsciously to systemic racism, and understand that our college is not exempt. Our collective commitment to identifying and eradicating racism and bias is resolute, and the call to action is now. The leadership of Public Safety is committed to examining their own policies, practices and training along with key constituencies which they serve on a daily basis.
President Cooper has convened a special committee of the Springfield College community to examine the policies, practices, and current training requirements of the Department of Public Safety at Springfield College. This committee, which includes students, faculty, staff, and trustees, is charged with identifying areas of improvement and recommending changes that promote greater equality and safety for our students, faculty, and staff.
We are grateful for the strongly held convictions among students, faculty, and staff that the role of Public Safety must be performed with understanding and empathy for equality, mental health issues, wellness, addiction, and harm reduction. This committee will make recommendations for oversight and continual improvement of our policies, processes, and training opportunities. This committee will be asked to present findings and recommendations to the President’s Leadership Team and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees by September 30, 2020.
The members of the Committee on Public Safety Policies, Practices, and Training are:
- Francesca Spina, Department of Criminal Justice, co-chair
- Craig Poisson, Athletics, co-chair
- Kurt Aschermann ‘71, Board of Trustees
- Ray Berry, G’11, Board of Trustees
- Jannele Castro, Department of Public Safety
- Marcel Diaz ‘20, G'21
- Shannan Fields, Communications and External Affairs
- Susan Joel, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Xavier Washington ‘22
- Anne Wheeler, Department of Literature, Writing and Journalism
- Sabrina Williams ’22
Calendar of events related to diversity programming on campus
Visit our Campus Calendar to see a full listing of events hosted by the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Arts & Humanities Lecture
President Mary-Beth Cooper and the faculty and staff of Springfield College are proud to announce that New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi will be the keynote speaker at the annual Springfield College Arts & Humanities Speaker Series on March 25, 2021. The annual endowed Arts & Humanities Speaker Series is made possible through the generosity of Carlton ’63 and Lucille Sedgeley. A decision to host the event in-person or virtually will occur at a later date.
Summer 2020 Key Initiatives
Campus Conversations on Race
On May 27, a group of College leaders came together to discuss ways that we could reflect, cope, and speak about the murder of George Floyd. In the absence of an opportunity to come together as a community on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we agreed to host a gathering via Zoom, which we hoped would serve as space and time for our community to come together to pause, listen, and simply be present in the wake of the deep-rooted pain and tension of another Black life lost at the hands of those who pledged to protect and serve.
During the following forum on June 2, we heard the truths of our own students of color and their experiences at Springfield College, and we agreed to keep the dialogue moving forward.
Over the last summer months, our weekly conversations have included our students, staff, members of the President’s Leadership Team, and Mr. Cedric Jennings, who helped us to better understand many of the pressing issues of race affecting our campus and our country. These sessions included:
- June 16: Diversity and Inclusion: The Student Perspective
- June 23: “Defunding” the Police
- June 30: A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League
- July 7: Race and College Admissions
- July 14: Let’s get real: Honest conversation with Dr. Calvin Hill
Through the newly created SCListens email address, we heard from those who either did not have the opportunity to speak during one of our conversations or who wanted to further reflect upon experiences at the College. Understandably, some of our conversations were more impactful and thought-provoking than others.
Alumni of Color virtual gatherings
On May 6, alumni and current students of color held a Virtual Social hosted by Calvin Hill, PhD, Student Trustee Kristian Rhim, and Alumni Council members Nate Harris ‘08 and Carlton Pickron, EdD, ‘79 G‘82.
Following the social, the Alumni of Color Committee of the Alumni Council was established and is engaged to identify ways to use their collective knowledge of Springfield College and their commitment to addressing systemic bias and racism to improve the campus experience for current Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students. Two initiatives underway are (1) the creation of the Communications Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board, which will review the use of BIPOC student images in campus marketing materials, and (2) the relocation of the Office Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fourth floor of Judd Gymnasia. We are excited that this move provides the staff with much-needed space, in a dedicated suite for congregation and programming in a safe and welcoming environment.
The 2020 Faculty Institute
The 2020 Faculty Institute focused on matters related to race and racism. Called A Year of Action! Faculty working to build a more inclusive and welcoming campus community, our new and returning faculty explored privilege through a previously recorded privilege walk at Stagg Field, using cultural humility to inform pedagogy and social justice, the best practices in culturally relevant pedagogy, and critically, putting theory into practice. On-going professional development will enhance our curriculum not only in terms of content but in the promotion of culturally aware teaching.
Bias Incident Reporting
Our community is what makes us special. Every member is valuable and we want to help ensure that each person feels safe, welcomed, and included.
If you experience or witnessed a bias incident, on campus, or involving community members, we want to know. One way you can take action is by submitting a Bias Incident Report. It is a Quick Link located on PrideNET.
“What is a bias incident?” It is behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, color, predisposing genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, or any other category protected by law or regulation.
Examples of bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, verbal or written use of degrading language or insults motivated from a belief or perception about a person’s characteristics regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.
