There has been a lot of buzz with the Council, here at VCUarts and on campus at large about diversity. I even went to a conference last week in Philly and attended a really great session on colorblindness and how that old rhetoric just isn't working for millennial students. But, I'm digressing...
I want to share this haustalk event, in conjunction with The Conciliation Project that is being hosted by Thinkhaus, a graphic design company. The event is Wednesday March 30, 7PM at the Virginia Center for Architecture.
Come share your two cents or just simply listen to what our students have to say! Great stuff!
http://blog.thinkhausdesign.com/
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ted Talks!
Alicia sent along these two great Ted Talks that I wanted to share:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/theo_jansen_creates_new_creatures.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/theo_jansen_creates_new_creatures.html
VCUArts Student Advisory Council: Request for feedback/input
Virginia Commonwealth University has adopted a five-year diversity plan as part of its 2020 Vision for Excellence strategic planning process. This diversity plan focuses on campus climate, faculty recruitment, retention, and development, and staff recruitment and development. But there are also elements that relate directly to supporting diversity in the VCU student population. The full diversity plan document can be found at http://www.diversity.vcu.edu/documents/FiveYearDiversityPlanFinal.pdf
The School of the Arts is asking for student input on the goals and objectives of the plan in general, and specifically those that relate to the student community (objectives 5.1 - 5.4 below). Specifically, we are asking members of our Student Advisory Council to read this document and be prepared to offer input and feedback through our conversations on our Washington trip on 3/7/2011, in a Blackboard discussion forum for those who are unable to make the trip, as well as during a final meeting spring ‘11.
The full 86 page plan provides a lot of useful background for those who want to read it, and would be helpful in expanding your knowledge base for any informed discussion. However, the 2 page section included below is particularly relevant to student discussion.
Please review the following and be prepared to comment on your thoughts.
Goals Summary
Summaries of the Six Strategic Goals of the University Diversity Plan
GOAL 1: VCU will create a working and learning environment where differences are welcomed and valued to ensure a climate that offers opportunity for, and support of, the success of all faculty and staff.
GOAL 2: VCU will increase the diversity of faculty and staff in university leadership and decision-making roles.
GOAL 3: VCU will increase the presence of diverse faculty members at all ranks and levels.
GOAL 4: VCU will increase the presence of diverse staff members in the higher pay bands.
GOAL 5: VCU will maintain a student body reflective of the diversity in college bound students in the Commonwealth of Virginia by ensuring a climate that offers access, opportunity and support for the success of all students.
GOAL 6: VCU will strengthen the capacity of university and community partners to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships that respect diversity, and include groups with diverse backgrounds.
Specifics of Goal 5:
GOAL 5: VCU will maintain a student body reflective of the diversity in college bound students in the Commonwealth of Virginia by ensuring a climate that offers access, opportunity and support for the success of all students.
Rationale: Goal 5 of the Equity and Diversity Plan is directly supported by Virginia Commonwealth University's Mission Statement and supporting goals. "To value and promote racial and cultural diversity in its student body, faculty, administration and staff to enhance and enrich the university," is a goal which specifically sets the tone for Goal 5. Theme II of the VCU strategic plan, VCU 2020: Vision for Excellence, provides further groundwork for Goal 5 of the Diversity Plan by stating that VCU will "achieve national recognition as a learning-centered research university that embraces a world-class student experience," and that ―VCU will prepare students to thrive in a complex, interdependent, diverse, and constantly changing world, and to be prepared to continue learning throughout their lives.‖ Dr. Rao's Diversity Statement, posted on VCU‘s Diversity website, provides support for Goal 5. Dr. Rao states, ―Among the most important assets of Virginia Commonwealth University is the vibrant diversity of its Final Five-Year Diversity Plan November, 2010 students.‖ In articulating his expectations, Dr. Rao emphasizes capitalizing on the University‘s opportunity to graduate underrepresented students at all levels.
Objective 5.1
Examine recruitment programs for expanding ways to promote diversity and inclusion.
Objective 5.2
Identify academic and social support strategies to assist students with persistence and graduation from the university.
Objective 5.3
Develop mechanisms to encourage underrepresented undergraduate student transition to graduate and professional schools.
Objective 5.4
Encourage the development of a climate for diversity that promotes access, opportunity and support for student success.
About the Student Advisory Council
Mission 2010/11 Academic Year
For the 2010/11 academic year Dr. John Guthmiller, Associate Dean, joined the Student Advisory Council leadership team. On behalf of School of the Arts deans, Dr. Guthmiller is seeking to expand the role of the Student Council to include building a greater sense of community among VCUArts students, as well as preserving the original functions of communicating student needs and ideas and providing feedback for School projects and initiatives.
An effort has been made this year to build a cohort among the current council members. To this end the council is taking an “arts immersion” field trip in March to strengthen the bonds of common experience and communication among the members from diverse departments and majors. Each member of the council has also received a copy of the book Group Genius Keith Sawyer, which uses some of the latest research to document the connection between collaboration and creativity. Following the group’s immersion experience, council members will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire designed to elicit their knowledge about the SAC’s purpose and the efficacy of its function, as well as suggestions for improvement. Their responses will be used by the deans to help refine the mission of the Student Advisory Council in relation to the needs and aspirations of students throughout the School of the Arts.
Mission History
Academic years 08/09, 09/10 The Student Advisory Task Force (Renamed the Student Advisory Council 2010/2011 academic year) was a body of students that represented each of the 16 departments and programs within VCUarts. Many departments put forward two students to represent departmental tracks, such as photography and film, and fashion design and merchandising. The Task Force met three times a year, twice in the fall, and once in the spring. The committee met with Dr. Richard Toscan, Dean, as well as Carolyn Henne, Assistant Dean.
The committee was led with the idea that the selected students were to bring forward to the Dean ideas and concerns as voiced within their departments. The Dean would not only hear these ideas but would share upcoming projects and ideas with the Task Force and request feedback.
The committee was built on the belief that each department was internally structured to have a committee of students that was comprised of students that represented each grade level. This departmental committee met as necessary to assess problems, or create ideas. Task Force members were to be a part of this departmental committee and would be the communications liaison between the Dean and the Task Force and the Department.
Historical Issues and Resolutions
· Recycling
· Creation of Cross-Disciplinary Courses
· Creation of head shot book housed in the Photo/Film department
· Creation of Student Art Exchange (now defunct)
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