Global Campus Diversity Equity & Inclusion Newsletter

What is DEI?

Diversity encompasses the ways in which people are unique and different. Diversity extends to a variety of opinions, ideas, perspectives, and values. In a group context, diversity is the degree to which the group includes different people, ideas or perspectives. The more diverse a group, the more perspectives are included. Diversity can be used to delineate differences in a variety of categories including race, gender, age, religious identity, disability status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, history of incarceration, and educational background. 

Equity means being cognizant of past (or present) barriers that limit opportunities for certain segments of our population. Equity is the fair and just treatment of all people or groups. Improving equity requires analyzing the justness and fairness present in the current protocols and structure of organizations, as well as how the organization distributes its resources. Addressing issues of equity requires an understanding of the root cause of the disparities present in our society. 

Inclusion is creating spaces to ensure that everyone feels comfortable, a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to participate fully, regardless of their background or perspective. An inclusive work environment should be supportive, collaborative, and respectful toward everyone. 

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” – Mahatma Gandhi 

Aside from being a clear social, political, ethical, and moral responsibility, diversity in the workplace can have some serious benefits. Simply put, diversity and inclusion efforts can help you grow your customer base and make your employees more productive. Learn the 12 benefits that DEI can bring to businesses and 15 key benefits of DEI to communicate with team members, according to Forbes. Studies show the advantages of incorporating DEI initiatives on a companywide basis, which include: 

1. Better company reputation 
2. Happier employees 
3. Increased profitability 
4. Better customer and vendor relationships 
5. Better perception of innovation (which drives employee engagement)  

For additional information, watch these Ted Talks: How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, How to foster true diversity and inclusion at work (and in your community), and Lets stop talking about diversity and start working towards equity.  

National French-American Heritage Month

July is designated National French-American Heritage Month in the United States to recognize and celebrate the important contributions made to the U.S. by Americans of French descent. 

French Americans are one of the oldest ethnic groups in American society, having progressively formed an identity since their first arrival in America in the 16th century. According to the U.S. Census, 9.3 million Americans report being of French ancestry, while only 152,000 U.S. residents were born in France. French Americans remain one of the least documented American ethnic groups: few works have been devoted to the group, and most amalgamate French Canadian ancestry with French ancestry. This is further complicated by the fact that early migration patterns are not always easily categorized—such is the case of the Cajuns, the Acadians who left France to settle in the area that is now part of both present-day Maine and Quebec, and then migrated south to Louisiana. 

The French have contributed vastly to the design and growth of the United States. Their input can be seen in the layout of the Capital of the U.S., which was drawn by the hands of a Frenchman, to the iconic Statue of Liberty, which was made in Paris and presented to the U.S. in 1881 as a gift to commemorate the alliance between the two countries. 

Did you know? 

• The first curb ramp was installed in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1945 to assist veterans who use prosthetics and wheelchairs. 
• The Department of Justice’s ADA regulations define a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. In certain situations, a service animal may also be a miniature horse. 
• While the minority of workers with disabilities need some sort of special equipment or accommodation, 56% of these cost less than $600, with many costing nothing at all. And available tax incentives make it even easier for businesses to cover accessibility costs. 
• If a public accommodation such as a grocery store discriminates against a customer due to a disability, then he or she can file a complaint online with the Department of Justice at http://www.ada.gov/complaint/. Individuals may also be able to file complaints with their state or city for violation of state or local laws that prohibit disability-based discrimination. 
• There is no “grandfathered in” concept under the ADA. The law does hold facilities built or renovated after 1990 or 2010 to a more stringent standard of accessible design, but all publicly accessible places must take reasonable steps to improve access to patrons. 

To learn more about how the ADA became law, and the major milestones since, read this historical timeline. 

Independence Days 

Independence days – or events leading to the formation of nations – are always important dates to celebrate.  

• Canada: July 1 – recognizes the confederation of upper and lower Canada into the Dominion of Canada in 1867 
• United States: July 4 – marks the day in 1776 when the 13 British colonies declared independence from Great Britain 
• France: July 14 – Bastille Day is comparable to the U.S. Independence Day. It commemorates the fall of the Bastille prison, marking the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, which led to the end of monarchical rule and the creation of a French Republic. 
• Several South American countries: July marks the great independence movement in the early 19th Century that swept through the Spanish colonies. This led to the creation of new nation states such as Venezuela (July 5), Argentina (July 9), Colombia (July 20), and Peru (July 28).