Conversations taking place across campus – and online – demonstrate that while we are a more diverse university than ever before, not everyone feels that they are fully embraced by the community.
This academic year brought with it a recognition that Lehigh as a community needs to work harder to create the inclusive and welcoming environment envisioned in the university’s Principles of our Equitable Community.
That’s why the Council For Equity And Community (CEC) is increasing its commitment to serve as a voice and resource for inclusion at Lehigh.
About The CEC
Now in its sixth year, the CEC was created by President Gast to give increased attention and focus to issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Lehigh and the means to address them in a systematic and coordinated manner.
In the past several months, the CEC has stepped up its activity and re-organized itself to be a more effective body. A few recent activities include:
- VISIONS Training The CEC convened for two days of training and planning led by VISIONS Inc., a non-profit organization that specializes in diversity and inclusion, frequently working with colleges and universities. CEC members gained new tools for discussing and moving forward with the complex issues involved in the work of inclusive diversity. They also built a 12-month action plan that has been approved by senior leadership and the university Board of Trustees. The CEC is continuing to work with VISIONS to ensure that the concepts and methods they learned become a permanent part of their efforts.
-
Trustees Meeting The CEC played an important role during the February Trustees meeting which focused on diversity and inclusion. You can read more about that meeting
here.
- Student Involvement The CEC will expand to include student members so that all members of the Lehigh campus community have a voice on the council.
- Participation in Commission On Lehigh’s Residential Environment The CEC will have representation and involvement in this group.
The New CEC Executive Committee
To become a more dynamic and efficient organization, the CEC has formed an executive committee. This committee can make decisions and communicate to campus on behalf of the CEC.
The members of the Executive Committee are:
- Kathleen Hutnik, director of Graduate Student Life
- Rita Jones, director of the Women’s Center
- Lori McClaind, director of Academic Transitions
- Tyrone Russell, director of Multicultural Affairs
- Jennifer Swann, professor of Biological Sciences
- Tom Yencho, director on online and digital marketing and chair of ERAC.
Spotlight spoke with some of its members to learn more about their aspirations for the CEC.
Rita Jones, director of the Women’s Center, has been a CEC member for two years. She appreciates that the organization has a diverse range of voices. "The CEC is composed of many different people," Rita noted. "By working together we can demonstrate that Lehigh wants to be and will be an inclusive community in practice."
Tyrone Russell, director of Multicultural Affairs is a newer CEC member, having joined six months ago. He told Spotlight that speaking for underrepresented groups is a priority for him. "I hope to contribute a voice to the committee that represents the student, faculty and staff voices that may not be accounted for in other arenas," he said. "I would feel accomplished if every time a policy or procedure was created the creators took a step back and asked, ‘how does this impact people who do not share our histories?'"
Rita hopes the CEC develops into an indispensable resource for the campus.
"I think the CEC can offer the community a space to come to with questions, concerns, successes, and frustrations about inclusion on campus," she said.
"In my role, I hope to participate in community-building that recognizes and learns from differences, to be an active member of the Lehigh community, and to share my knowledge and experience."
Tyrone believes that it’s essential the CEC leads the way to a more equitable and inclusive Lehigh.
"I would like to see us work toward greater transparency and face the ongoing challenge for the community to consistently pursue excellence with integrity in heart and equity in mind," he said.
"When the campus is well informed, people make better decisions. And when people are challenged, they tend to try harder."
What’s Next?
The council is moving forward with its 12-month action plan. It is also working to improve its website and open up new channels of interactive communication. Staff and faculty will begin seeing more regular messages from the CEC.
The CEC also welcomes the input and thoughts of everyone in the Lehigh community. If you have something you want to share, you can
send an email to the council.
Spotlight is published monthly by Human Resources. Please address any comments to Hillary Kwiatek, Spotlight Editor, Human Resources, 428 Brodhead Avenue, send email tohik210@lehigh.edu, or call extension 85165.
Current and past issues of Spotlight can be viewed and searched at: Past Issues.
