“A lot of what we do is to direct people to offices and resources already on campus but not as widely known,” Loeffert said. “We are compiling a resource list, both for on-campus support systems and within the community.” As the program enters its second year, council members are also establishing who they are and how they can help. Faculty or staff who would like to speak to an Equity Advocate can find them at cas.okstate.edu/equity_advocates. People should contact the Equity Advocate from their unit or reach out to Loeffert. “Both CAS and OSU as a whole have an increased focus on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Loeffert said. “There are a lot of initiatives going on in the background that maybe not everyone is aware of.” For example, OSU employees and students are required to participate in a training session called “Fostering and Promoting a Culture of Diversity & Inclusion at OSU.” OSU has also launched the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board, for which Loeffert is CAS’s representative. Loeffert said she is pleased by the support she sees across CAS for issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. “The thing I wish most people knew is that those in leadership roles are really trying,” she said. “There is not one single, easy answer, but the Dean’s Leadership Team is trying, the Equity Advocates are trying. Everyone wants to do what’s right.” EQUALITY EQUITY DIVERSITY is differences in racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and academic/ professional backgrounds. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience. EQUITY is the provision of personalized resources needed for all individuals to reach common goals. For example, the goals and expectations are the same for all students, but the supports needed to achieve those goals depends on the students’ needs. EQUALITY is the provision of equal treatment, access and opportunity to resources and opportunities. Essentially everyone gets the same thing, regardless of where they come from or what needs they might have. INCLUSION describes the active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity — in people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographic) where individuals might connect. DEFINITIONS OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 9
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