The items presented within this document are similar to those presented by UVM ALANA students and white allies during the Waterman takeovers of 1988 and 1991 as well as the ALANA Student Bill of Rights presented in June 1995.
The students have asked President Ramaley to respond to their Action Plan by Monday, March 2, 1998.
To show your endorsement of the Action Plan add your name to a growing list of supporters that will be presented to the UVM administration. Please include your name, status (student, staff, faculty, or community member), email address, and telephone number.
President Ramaley´s response to the Action Plan will be posted here.
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned student leaders representing the ALANA cornmunity at the University of Vermont, recognize the direct benefit of moving our institution toward embracing the values of diversity and a multicultural campus; and,
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned student leaders representing the ALANA community at the University of Vermont, believe the University of Vermont has a responsibility to proactively improve the campus climate for ALANA students; and,
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned student leaders representing the ALANA community at the University of Verrnont, feel the University of Vermont has the opportunity to incorporate a strong multicultural community for its diverse population of learners; and,
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned student leaders representing the ALANA community at the University of Vermont, believe the University of Vermont can improve the campus climate for all members of the UVM community through the investment of institutional resources to promote diversity;
THEREFORE,
LET IT BE RESOLVED, that We, the undersigned student leaders representing the ALANA cornmunity at the University of Vermont, endorse the following University plan of action to promote and embrace the values and ideals of creating a diverse and multicultural campus at the University of Vermont.
1. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A THREE (3) CREDIT "RACE AND CULTURE" CLASS REQUIRED FOR THE GRADUATION OF ALL STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERITY OF VERMONT.
The implementation of a three credit "Race and Culture" class within the University Curriculum is of vital importance to prepare each student at UVM for our future multicultural and pluralistic society. We believe that an institutional training should be required for all Faculty members regarding the issues addressed in such a class, especially for the Professors teaching each class. Also, we endorse the idea of requiring such a training for all Associate Professors prior to their opportunity for tenure into the University.
2. INCREASING THE LEVEL OF INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF ALANA STUDENTS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT.
The most effective student of color recruitment tool at the University of Vermont is the present ALANA student comrnunity on campus. Therefore, we endorse the implementation of a new recruitment strategy of using ALANA students presently on campus as recruiters for prospective students of color interested in the University of Vermont. This would entail the use of institutional resources for funding ALANA student interns under the auspices of UVM Admissions office as student recruiters. These interns would also be provided the necessary resources to fund recruiting trips and airline tickets to bring prospective students of color to campus.
3. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A UNIVERSITY POLICY WITH THE CHARGE OF RAISING AWARENESS THROUGHOUT THE UVM COMMUNITY REGARDING BIAS-INCIDENTS ON CAMPUS.
Incidents of hate are currently taking place at the University of Vermont at an alarming rate. However, most members of the UVM community remain unaware about the nature of these incidents, or about their occurrence. Therefore, we endorse the creation of an institutional policy with the charge of raising the awareness of all members in the UVM community about these hate incidents. We believe that the re-implementation of the UVM Racial Incident Response Team would be one effective way to increase awareness about these incidents on campus.
4. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is the best resource for ALANA students on campus. Currently, OMA is being led by an interim-director. Because we believe in the value of creating a coherent vision for the future of OMA, and the importance of institutional leadership for the creation of this vision, we endorse a nationally advertised search to fill the position of Director at Office of Multicultural Affairs.
5. DIVIDE THE DIVISION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CULTURAL PLURALISM INTO TWO DISTINCT OFFICES: ONE WITH A CHARGE OF IMPROVING ISSUES FOR THE ALANA COMMUNITY, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, AND OVERSEEING THE RACE AND CULTURE CURRICULUM. THE OTHER WITH THE CHARGE OF IMPROVING ISSUES FOR GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgendered), WOMEN ON CAMPUS, AND OVERSEEING THE CULTURAL HUB.
6. THE ADHOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE SHOULD MEET WITH THE UVM ALANA COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALANA STUDENTS AT UVM.
We believe that in order to be able to really understand the issues affecting ALANA students at UVM, the ADHOC Diversity Committee should meet and speak with ALANA students directly. These meetings should happen more than once a year or as often as required as a result of incidents and issues prevalent on the campus.
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