TRAINING STUDENTS TO BECOME PEER
FACILITATORS FOR INTERGROUP DIALOGUE:
Design, Implementation and Institutional Support
Corliss Watkins,
Academic Advising Coordinator/
Black Student Achievement/
JanTerm Instructor
Mary McCall, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology/
Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives
OVERVIEW
● Present the processes to develop and
implement peer dialogue courses addressing
social justice issues
● Review the 5-year process to:
● introduce a course to campus
● expand from teacher-led to peer-facilitated
● Discuss:
● building political & administrative support
● challenges
● successes
● lessons learned
AGENDA
● Opening
● Presentation of Key Factors
● Lessons Learned
● Student Panel
●Q & A
YOUR QUESTIONS
●
What would you like to gain
from today’s session?
●
What question/s would you
like to have addressed?
SIX KEY FACTORS
● LEADERSHIP & INSTITUTIONAL
SUPPORT
● FUNDING & RESOURCES
● HISTORICAL MOMENT
● EXTERNAL MOTIVATIONS
● INTERNAL MOTIVATIONS
● PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
MISSION
● To probe deeply the mystery of
existence by cultivating the ways of
knowing and the arts of thinking.
● To affirm and foster the Christian
understanding of the human person which
animates the educational mission of the
Catholic Church.
● To create a student-centered community
whose members support one another with
mutual understanding and respect.
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
LASALLIAN CORE VALUES
● Concern for the Poor and Social Justice
● Faith in the Presence of God
● Quality Education
● Respect for all Persons
● Inclusive Community
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
COMMITTEE
● Formed in 1991 reporting to President
● Charge: “evaluate annually the degree to
which Saint Mary’s College meets the
ongoing recommendations and guidelines
which promote diversity objectives”
● Monitor diversity initiatives
● Resource for diversity issues for faculty,
staff and students
● Assistant Academic VP appointed by
President as Diversity Officer in 1997
● VP for Mission appointed by President in
2007 for accountability of diversity initiatives
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CULTURAL GRADUATE
CELEBRATIONS
1.1996: Black Graduate Celebration
2.1998: Latino Graduate Celebration
3.2002: Asian Pacific American
Graduate Celebration
4.2007: Lavender Graduate Celebration
5.2013: Middle Eastern Graduate
Celebration?
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CULTURAL NIGHTS
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
1.1998: Asian Cultural Night
▪ Funding &
Resources
2.2001: Latino Cultural Night
▪ Historical
Moment
3.2003: Expressions of Blackness
▪ External
Motivations
4.2006: The BASH
▪ Internal
Motivations
5.2007: Lu’au
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
WASC CHALLENGES
● 2004: St. Mary’s chose diversity as one of 3
areas of self-study; identified major
challenges of inclusion and respectful
interactions
● WASC Visiting Team made observations
about the gap between “mission” and “living
out” that mission; suggested a campus
climate survey
● 2008: WASC issued a “Notice of Concern”
regarding diversity
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY
● Conducted in spring 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012
● Data used to track progress and identify
areas of ongoing challenge
● 2010: Faculty (85%), Staff (84%), Students
(76%) endorse “a diverse student body
enhances the educational experiences of all
students,” lower than in 2006 & 2008
● 2010: Faculty (30%), Staff (23%), Students
(30%) “uncomfortable discussing racially
sensitive topics with members of other races
● Percentage of students saying “there is racial
tension on campus:
2006: 23%
2008: 35%
2010: 32%
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY
CONCLUSIONS: We believe we should ...
● Develop community
● Help students bring about positive
change
● Promote a climate where differences
of opinion are aired openly and
regularly
● Develop appreciation of
multiculturalism
● Develop an inclusive community
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
NEW PROVOST
● In February 2008, College welcomes
Dr. Bethami Dobkin as Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs
● As chief academic officer and second
ranking college administrator, Dr. Dobkin
has been instrumental in coordinating
institutional effectiveness in numerous
areas, including inclusive excellence across
campus.
● The Provost has become the most visible
face on issues of diversity and inclusion.
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
● Includes half of the President’s Cabinet
● Members include administrators with
authority to implement change
● CCIE Vision:
“We of Saint Mary’s College of California are
dedicated to treating all people with dignity
and respect in ways that acknowledge and
engage diverse backgrounds and ideas. Our
policies, practices and behaviors foster a safe
and inclusive community and promote learning
that is equitable, collaborative, and inspired by
the presence of God in and among us.”
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
Primary Goals of the CCIE:
▪ Funding &
Resources
● Improve recruitment, retention, and
success of underrepresented
students, staff, and faculty
● Build an inclusive community
● Develop systems of accountability
and assessment
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
INTERACTIVE THEATER
● Interactive Theater (2009)
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
CCIE recognized the potential for IT to
enable faculty, students, staff and
administrators to address social conflicts as
they arise. Initial investment ($4000)
● IT model offers interactive praxis
Weekend of Welcome
Faculty In-Service Day
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SAINT
MARY’S COLLEGE DIVERSITY FUND
•Spring 2008 – Diversity Fund proposal
to pay for the Diversity Dance and 5
Cultural Nights, including student
leadership awards
•Spring 2011 – An increase in the
Diversity Fund proposal to pay for
Student Leaders Initiating Diversity
Education (SLIDE)
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
DIVERSITY
ORGANIZATION COUNCIL
•Spring 2009 – invitation to all student
orgs. to self-select
•Diversity-Focused Mission
•Benefits & Expectations
•10-15 student orgs. opted in, ranging
from HaU to GSA to IVCF to Dante
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
STRATEGIC FUNDING
● BOS – Building On Strengths
● Academic Blueprint
● $40K/yr for Diversity Initiatives
CCIE –
College Committee on Inclusive
Excellence (anticipated to grow to
$100K/year)
● Expansion of, and support for,
the Intercultural Center and
Ethnic Studies Department
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
ACTS OF INTOLERANCE
PROTOCOL
● Created in 2008 for inclusion in
Undergraduate Student Handbook
● Response coordinated by the Bias Incident
Response Team (BIRT)
● Reported incidents:
▪ Oct. ‘11: homophobic graffiti on door of
Intercultural Center
▪ Nov. ‘11: vandalism to posters of Women’s
Studies/Women’s Resource Center event
▪ Mar. ‘12: vandalism to Mission & Ministry
crosses
▪ Apr. ‘12: vandalism/graffiti in men’s bathroom
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
ACADEMIC SENATE
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
● Unanimous approval at the General Meeting
of the Academic Senate on May 15, 2008:
▪ Funding &
Resources
“We strongly reject any behavior—whether
intentional or unintentional—that degrades or
demeans the dignity of any members of our
college community.”
▪ Historical
Moment
“We…request that the Provost…provide
workshops to increase cultural competence for
all faculty, staff, and students, guided by
expertise of professionals in the field.
Furthermore, we recommend that such
workshops be mandatory.”
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CAMPUS OF DIFFERENCE
● In response to Academic Senate resolution,
CCIE evaluated workshops
● Campus of Difference was selected
● 27 campus representatives trained as
facilitators
● Mandatory participation by all staff and
faculty once every 3 years
● President and his Cabinet have attended
● To date, 56% of staff members and 21% of
faculty members have participated
● Follow up activities: develop advanced
curriculum; tailor/deliver to intact groups
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
COLLEGE COMMITTEE ON INCLUSIVE
EXCELLENCE STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD—
LESSONS LEARNED
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
● Sustainability
▪ Funding &
Resources
● Conflicting Class & Work Schedules
▪ Historical
Moment
● Communication Plan
▪ External
Motivations
● “Meeting students where they’re at”
▪ Internal
Motivations
● Direct Meetings with the Provost
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
OUR STRUGGLE IS TIED WITH
YOURS STUDENT DEMANDS
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
March 17, 2010 – April 23, 2010
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
CAPITALIZING ON DIVERSITY
Through EDUCATION (CODE)
● Modeled on the COD, a program for
students was created
● CODE was launched in the summer of 2010:
15 Peer Facilitators
40 additional students
● CODE addresses:
Acts of Intolerance Protocol
How to be an ally
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
INTERGROUP DIALOGUE
● Intergroup Dialogue (2006)
Lower Division – Introductory
Readings for Diversity & Social Justice
Upper Division – Advanced
Peer Facilitator Training (2011)
Teaching for Diversity & Social Justice
● Offered in “Jan Term”
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
RESIDENTIAL CURRICULUM FOR
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE LESSONS LEARNED . . .
•2008-2009: Charged Resident
Advisors and Resident Directors (with
the assistance of Faculty/Staff
facilitators) to deliver inclusive
excellence activities in first-year
residence halls
•SLOs: Team Building, Face-to-Face
Communication Skills, Community
Standards, Cultural Appreciation, SelfAwareness
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
PROPOSAL FOR INTERCULTURAL
CENTER EXPANSION
•Assistant Director Position
Develop and implement an Inclusive
Excellence Co-Curriculum
1.First-Year Residence Halls
2.Student Leadership Groups
3.Safe Zone Part II
•Special Programs $$$
•Student Leaders Initiating Diversity Education
(SLIDE)
1.Weekly Programs
2.Diversity Dance
3.Cultural Graduate Celebrations
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
BIAS INCIDENTS RESPONSE TEAM
•Summer of 2011: Stop the Hate
Training by Campus Pride, Inc.
•Acts of Intolerance Protocol
•Primary Goals:
1. Support
2. Education
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
SUCCESSES
● Intergroup Dialogue
● Interactive Theater
Weekend of Welcome
Faculty (In-Service) Day
FYAC – First Year Academic Cohort
Residence Halls
Resident Advisor Training
Student Clubs & Orgs
Faculty & Staff Trainings
● Identity Development Leaders
All first year students included
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
SUCCESSES
● Certificate Program
B.R.A.I.D.
Building Respect Across Inclusive Diversity
● Interactive Theater
● Intergroup Dialogue
● Minors (within Ethnic Studies)
approved by Curriculum Committee
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
▪ External
Motivations
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
STUDENT PANEL
● Kalina Bryant, Psychology
● Brianna Carlson, Honors Finance/Ethnic
Studies
▪ Leadership &
Institutional
Support
▪ Funding &
Resources
▪ Historical
Moment
● Sheila Garcia, Psychology
● Ivette Morales, Theatre
▪ External
Motivations
● Gaby Perez, History
● Sabrina Santos, Sociology
● Josh Schrag, Kinesiology
● Angela Sterling, Politics
▪ Internal
Motivations
▪ Passion for
Social Justice
THANK YOU!
PowerPoint Presentation
Course Syllabus
Supplementary Materials
Can be accessed at
http://www.stmarysca.edu/college-committee-oninclusive-excellence/ncore-2013