Strategic Action Plan Theme 5: Connect

CONNECT community members across different social identities through intentional facilitations, events and gatherings to gain new perspectives and develop meaningful relationships.

For St. Lawrence to benefit from the diversity that our community brings together, opportunities to engage across difference must be intentionally created and fostered so that diverse perspectives can be shared, so as to move more closely toward our “clear commitment to finding common ground through ongoing communal dialogue.”^[1]

• Short-term:
  • Plan and implement a variety of events which foster connections among students, faculty and staff including open forums and town halls
    • Summer 2022 update: During 2021-2022 two Title IX forums and one Wellness forum took place (see Foster).
    • The D&I Office sponsored three DEI book club events engaging faculty, staff and students and plans to expand this for the 2022-2023 AY.
    • A variety of programs throughout the year including performances, presentations, panel discussions and other events engaging students, faculty, and staff including Diwali, Kaleidoscope, Eid, Midterm Election panel, Microaggressions programs, 20 Years After 9-11, Cultural Appreciation event, Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, and Unity Project.
  • Foster the development and work of affinity groups which allow space for individuals to gather around social identity and to educate the community
    • Summer 2022 update: Weekly Fellowship Lunches during 2021-2022 engaging faculty and staff who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, International, and All - Anyone who would like to chat (see above). Similar opportunities to gather together will continue in 2022-2023.
  • Highlight more directly the opportunities for connection that do exist through intentional curation of the web and social media presence of these groups and opportunities for all Laurentians
    • Summer 2022 update: The webpage of the Office for Diversity & Inclusion posts several videos on DEI topics, to be updated regularly (e.g., annually or bi-annually); regular conversations with University Communications to develop a more robust D&I social media presence.
  • Work with Laurentian Engagement to support opportunities for mentorship and internships between students and alumni
    • Summer 2022 update: Alumni Executive Council adopted a Diversity & Inclusion statement supporting their existing mission statement and each AEC committee has been tasked to aim to connect with students with diverse identities.
• Intermediate:
  • Evaluate/assess events in terms of attendance, feedback, and impact
  • Plan events in the intermediate term based on feedback and assessment data
• Long-term:
  • Assess and modify programs and opportunities for connection as culture evolves
• Assessment:
  • Track events fostering connections through the multicultural student group IBUV^[2] and Thelmo
  • Track attendance and solicit feedback through events connecting faculty/staff, such as brown bag lunches and, ultimately, employee resource groups

Return to the Strategic Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion

^[1] From the University Diversity Statement.

^[2] IBUV: Intersectional Board of United Voices