Diversity and Inclusion Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students
The Value of Diversity and Inclusion at Champlain College
Champlain College strives to create a diverse and inclusive community. In order to maintain a
supportive educational environment, prepare students for life experiences and provide an accepting
workplace for employees, we as a community must develop opportunities for each of us to better
understand our own beliefs and values to fully embrace new ideas and perspectives. To this end, we
pursue challenges that allow us to question pre-conceived ideas and beliefs that inform or infringe
upon our commitments and to implement measurable inclusive practices.
One of Champlain College’s strengths is its commitment to fostering respect among students, faculty,
staff, administrators and members of our local community. While we’re aware that serious exploration
of issues surrounding diversity and inclusion may generate conflict or tension, we see this as an
opportunity to engage different points of view in conversations that will ultimately help our
organization to be more inclusive and mindful of diversity. We as a community, therefore, endeavor to
create a safe environment for all members to discuss, challenge and explore the benefits of being in a
community that seeks to become more diverse and inclusive in its behavior, policies and practices.
(Adopted September 2009)
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) was created to help Champlain's increasingly diverse
population engage in academic and campus activities. The office strives to create a richer, more
diverse college community and offers advocacy and support to underrepresented students in
particular. ODI sponsors a variety of academic, social and educational events and activities for
students, faculty, staff and community members throughout the academic year.
Reporting Bias Incidents
Every Champlain community member should be aware of our collective commitment to maintaining a
safe and welcoming environment. This goal may be achieved by adhering to and enforcing the
College’s nondiscrimination and harassment policies, as well as periodic public reports on the
outcomes of acts of perceived hate or bias. This Bias Response Protocol provides an organized
response to perceived bias incidents or hate crimes when they occur on the Champlain College
campus, or when an incident occurs off campus that adversely affects the college community or the
pursuit of its objectives.
Bias incident: any conduct, speech or expression that demeans, degrades or harasses an individual
or group based on their membership in a protected category as recognized by law or Champlain
College policy. Examples: anonymous acts of bias-related vandalism to public posters, targeted
vandalism on a student’s door directed at his/her protected status, directing slurs at a group or
individual (whether in person or electronically), unlawful harassment that interferes with a person’s
educational experience or employment.
Hate Crime: as defined by Vermont law, a crime in which the perpetrator’s conduct was maliciously
motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, service in the
armed forces, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of another individual or group of
individuals.
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Diversity and Inclusion Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students
Mandatory Reporting of Allegations of Discrimination, Bias Incidents and Hate Crimes
College officials who become aware of conduct that they believe is a bias incident or a hate crime, or
conduct that may violate the College's nondiscrimination and/or harassment prevention policies (see
both employment and student policies), must report that conduct to the Vice President of People &
Technology, or if the alleged conduct was engaged in by a student, to Student Services. All
employees are considered College officials, with the obligation to report incidents. The protocol for
reporting Bias Incidents or Hate Crimes or an incident which may violate the nondiscrimination and/or
harassment prevention policies is set forth below, and the protocol for reporting acts of discrimination
or harassment are set forth in the Student Life policies (if the act involves a student) as well as
Employment policies (if the act involves an employee of the College).
How to Report a Bias Incident or Hate Crime
If anyone is injured or in danger, call 911
Notify the Office of Campus Safety and Security at 802-865-6465
(3333 from any campus telephone)
If no one is injured or in danger, contact:
Office of Campus Safety and Security at 802-865-6465
(For emergencies, dial 3333 from any campus telephone)
If the person making a report is a student, contact:
Vice President for Student Services at 802-865-6429
or
Provost at 802-860-2729
or
Director of Residential Life at 802-865-6428
or
Area Coordinator on duty: 802-343-0719)
Faculty and staff members who wish to report a bias incident or a hate crime should contact their
immediate supervisor or the Vice President of People & Technology at mlee@champlain.edu.
NOTE:
1. Preserve all physical evidence for the Safety and Security Department.
2. If the incident occurred in a Residence Hall, contact the Resident Assistant or the Area
Coordinator on duty at (802-343-0719), who will then contact the Office of Campus Safety and
Security.
For more information on this and other HR policies please refer to the HR portal site.
What follows is an outline of diversity initiatives and resources available to the Champlain community.
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Intercultural U: Leveraging the Power of Diversity
Champlain's intercultural training certification program is an innovative program designed to prepare
members of the Champlain to serve as peer trainers and champions and intercultural/diversity
facilitators.
As an Institution committed to creating an inclusive campus and graduating global citizens equipped
to thrive in a multicultural and interdependent world, we recognize the need to have a systemic
approach to building intercultural competence, a common language for our inclusion discussions and
work and a team of qualified in house educators, 'experts' and facilitators that both represent AND
can speak to various campus stakeholders. The certification program addresses all of these needs.
The program comprises 25 hours of training provided in 2 hour modules. The program is open to all
interested members of the Champlain community (faculty, administrators and staff) who are willing to
commit to their own development and are willing to assist in the development of others on campus. It
is an incredible investment of time, but it will time well spent as you become part of an engaged
community of action with a common framework, develop further on your personal intercultural journey
and become better equipped to move the college towards its diversity and inclusion goals.
Participants who complete 18 hours of training will be certified. Once you start the program, you will
recognize why so much time is required. There are so many layers to diversity and inclusion. To be
effective, we need to explore these complex layers and look at issues through multiple lenses.
Learning and growth will happen through discussions, knowledge sharing, reflection, videos, reading
and everything else. We need enough time to incorporate a variety of tools and allow for a variety of
learning styles and preferences.
We hope you will join us on this incredible journey!
Much more information on the IU program objectives, learning modules, how to participate and a
listing of graduates of IU can be found on our website at: https://www.champlain.edu/aboutchamplain/diversity-and-inclusion/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion/intercultural-u
For more information, please email Ame Lambert at alambert@champlain.edu or call 802-860-2784.
The C.A.R.E. (Champlain’s Achievement, Retention and Excellence) Program
C.A.R.E — Champlain's Achievement, Retention and Excellence — is designed to help students
succeed and thrive.
The program combines the best of research on retention and success for underrepresented students,
students from our partner programs and first-generation populations, including:
 Academic support and structure
 Mentoring
 Development of non-cognitive variables
 Providing horizon expanding opportunities
 Developing a positive identity
 Developing the capital needed to succeed in college
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We invite you to connect and engage with us and allow us to be a resource for you. Whether you
were valedictorian in your class or barely made it through, and regardless of where you are on your
identity journey, we want to be involved with you! This engagement is not intended to segregate you
from the rest of campus; rather, it is designed to provide you a home away from home as well as
enable your integration into, and success in, the larger campus community. Think of it as a foundation
to help you thrive in college and a base to explore your identity and strengthen the skills needed to for
success in college and beyond.
Participation in the pre orientation and C.A.R.E programs is mandatory for students receiving the
CHAD, UAI, Vermont First (for VSAC students) or New American scholarships.
If you are interested in become a mentor or for more information, please email Ame Lambert at
alambert@champlain.edu or call 802-860-2784.
Imagine College – A Pre-College Success Initiative
Champlain College’s pre-college and college success initiative, Imagine College, is designed to help
create college access for underserved populations, help them continue to graduation and prepare
them for a life of career and personal success where they can serve as agents of positive change in
our community.
The program creates opportunities for students, staff and faculty to volunteer to ensure success of the
initiative.
We focus on low-income students, students of color, New Americans and first-generation college
students. Research has shown that these populations benefit greatly from different or extra
assistance in navigating the college process and succeeding in college. On average, members of
these groups tend to be less academically prepared for college.
The program exposes students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields
in a fun and engaging way and helps them explore careers and build critical social and emotional
competencies. Students leave seeing themselves as college students and committed to the collegeaccess process. They receive periodic check-ins from their leaders as they continue their journey
toward college.
We hope the seven-day program will become a six-week bridge program. Our goal is to attract 30
students in underserved populations from Burlington and Winooski high schools, and from community
partners, after-school programs and college-preparatory organizations.
Students, staff and faculty interested in volunteering with Imagine College may contact Ame Lambert
at alambert@champlain.edu or call 802-860-2784.
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Diversity Council
Their Charge
To create strategic action to harness the productive power of difference
Their Role
1. Monitor
 Update an annual scorecard (every October) related to progress on our Strategic Planning (on
previous year)
 Collect individual and division/department plans
 Organize and provide resources at strategic level
2. Educate by facilitating institutional learning
3. Promote (support, advocate, stimulate) personal learning and work towards a state where
diversity & inclusion comes to the table naturally
4. Coordinate initiatives of campus constituencies in reference to the strategic plan: identifying gaps
and potential synergies
5. Communicate up, down, and across strategic objectives and framework while progressing toward
achievement of strategic objectives
This group meets on a regular basis and is currently made up of: Ame Lambert – Chief Diversity
Officer, Michelle Miler – Sr. Associate Provost, Leslie Averill – Vice President Student Life, Eric Ronis
- Associate Professor, Division of Communications and Creative Media, Julian Portilla – Assistant
Professor, Division of Education and Human Studies, and Mary M. Lee - Vice President People &
Technology, and. For more information, please email Ame Lambert at alambert@champlain.edu or
call 802-860-2784.
Safe Zone Trainings
The intention of Safe Zone Trainings is to build critical awareness of LGBTQ issues on campus/in the
greater society, LGBTQ identity development, the impact of heterosexism on the individual and
collective level, and LGBTQ empowerment. Trainings are held at various times throughout the year.
For more information or to inquire about participating in a training please contact the professional
development program – DareU (in the People Center) at dareu@champlain.edu
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups at Champlain provide a means for support, resources and socializing. Each group
functions independently.
Champlain Rainbow Alliance – an LGBTQ group for faculty and staff.
Champlain welcomes more affinity groups. For those interested in joining or starting a group, please
contact Ame Lambert at alambert@champlain.edu or call802-860-2784.
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Diversity and Inclusion Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students
Student Organizations
Include LGBTQA
Champlain's gay-straight alliance was created to provide people who identify with the LGBTQ
community and their allies an opportunity to meet. The meetings take place in a safe space, and
members are committed to creating an environment free of judgment and intolerance. The group
meets weekly to participate in discussions, coordinate inclusive events and raise campus-wide
awareness. For more information contact Sarah Mell at mell@champlain.edu.
Cultural Community Alliance
The Cultural Community Alliance offers international and American students the chance to mingle in
an invigorating mix of cultures. For more information contact Office of International Education at
international @champlain.edu.
International Group
The International Group welcomes all students, international and domestic, who are interested in
meeting people from all over the world and learning about other cultures.
DREAM
DREAM is a non-profit mentoring program that pairs college groups with youths in low income
housing neighborhoods. DREAM has grown to work with 13 colleges and 18 affordable housing
neighborhoods throughout Vermont and Massachusetts. Overall they are proud to serve
approximately 350 children and college student mentors, and boast an active alumni organization of
over 1,300 former mentors.
Single Parents Program
Since 1987 Champlain College has offered a supportive atmosphere for single parents. Since its
inception, the Single Parents Program has provided exceptional advocacy and support to its
participants by offering workshops, access to resources and many services designed to help students
reach their educational and professional goals. For more information about the Single Parents
Program contact: Carol Moran-Brown: (802) 865-6426 moran@champlain.edu
Student Diversity Programming
Faculty and staff are invited to attend all events, as well as present at the Lunch and Learn Series (a
new name is being developed for next semester).
Student Diversity Programming currently includes the following.
 RA’s, PA’s and OL’s all participate in training around diversity during their pre-opening training
sessions.
 We are hiring 6-8 DAP’s (Diversity Activities Programmers) to plan and deliver programming to
students
 We have a master’s level practicum student working with Jennifer this fall for 9 hours/week.
 There is a PA track for Diversity.
 Passive programming addressing a variety of diversity issues/topics will be offered each month
and will be geared toward the theme of the month, i.e., Black History Month, Women’s History
Month, etc.
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Large scale programming offered to the entire student population will be presented monthly,
again on varying topics.
Smaller scale programming will happen weekly and be led by the DAP’s.
Medium scale programming, i.e., speakers’ series, will also be offered.
Once each month the Res Life staff training will focus on diversity.
Professional Development Committee
The Staff Council’s Professional Development Committee creates opportunities for Champlain staff
members to gain skills and exposure to career-enhancing initiatives, which may include diversity
programs. The Dare U webpage can be found here: https://www.champlain.edu/faculty-andstaff/human-resources/dare-u/current-course-offerings.
Resources and Volunteer Opportunities at Champlain and beyond
This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources but just a sampling. If you have a resource
you feel should be here you can email Ame Lambert at alambert@champlain.edu.
Champlain College’s Center for Service & Civic Engagement:
http://www.champlain.edu/student-life/campus-life/activities-and-clubs/center-for-service-and-civicengagement
Champlain College Resources for Veterans:
http://www.champlain.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/financial-aidundergraduate/military-and-veterans
Champlain College’s Institute of Global Engagement:
http://www.champlain.edu/academics/academic-divisions/core-division/institute-for-globalengagement
Champlain College’s 3rd Planet: http://3rdplanet.champlain.edu/
Champlain College Scholarly Resources:
Black Newspapers (ProQuest):
http://cobalt.champlain.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/blacknews?accountid=40345
A collection of significant Black newspapers from the United States.
GLBT Life and Issues Collection (InfoTrac)
http://cobalt.champlain.edu/login?url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/vol_b92c?db=SP10
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues impact society on many levels - from the global and
cultural to the individual and personal. This collection of nearly 40 journals aims to provide
balanced coverage of this significant aspect of our culture, covering such topics as gender studies,
family and marital issues, health aspects, and many more.
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Diversity Studies Collection (InfoTrac)
http://cobalt.champlain.edu/login?url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/vol_b92c?db=SP07
This collection explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in our global community.
This set includes 150 journals.
Diversity & Democracy: http://www.aacu.org/diversitydemocracy/index.cfm
Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program: http://www.refugees.org/about-us/where-we-work/vrrp/
Vermont Human Rights Commission: http://hrc.vermont.gov/
Vermont Commission on Women: http://women.vermont.gov/
Association of Africans Living in Vermont: http://www.aalv-vt.org/
Abenaki Self Help Association: http://ashai.abenakination.com/
Outright Vermont: http:/www.outrightvt.org
RU12? Community Center: http://www.ru12.org
Vermont Cares: http://www.vtcares.org
Transgender resources contact: Jean-Denis at trans@ru12.org or call 802-860-7812
Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center: http://www.gbmrc.org
Peace and Justice Center: http://www.pjcvt.org/
UVM Diversity & Awareness events: http://uvmbored.com/interest/diversity-awareness/
Places of worship in the Burlington area:
http://www.yellowpages.com/burlington-vt/churches-places-of-worship and
http://www.ru12.org/open-and-affirming-places-of-worship.html
Islamic Society of Vermont: http://www.isvt.org/
Persons of color hair salons: Horizons Salon (Essex Junction), Diversity Salon (Pearl Street –
Burlington), Gail (Riverside Avenue – Burlington – 802-318-1605)
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