[DEOC] [EXTERNAL] Re: Thoughts on Multicultural Graduation

Thu Mar 30 16:56:27 PDT 2023

Hi Fam,

Attached is the flyer we used last year for the ODEI Graduation Ceremony. I don't agree at all with the segregation piece of the argument and in that case. I find this work to be in celebration of student success, with focus on how we celebrate historically underserved populations. I agree with Brother Robert on his suggested approach.

Vanessa C.K. Neal
Interim Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/Diversity and Equity Officer

From: DEOC <deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Salinas, Francisco via DEOC
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 3:58 PM
To: Diversity and Equity Officers Commission (DEOC) <deoc at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Salinas, Francisco <Francisco.Salinas at sfcc.spokane.edu>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [DEOC] Thoughts on Multicultural Graduation

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While I was at Boise State University we had a student that suggested a first-generation graduation celebration. We designed it as a "cording" ceremony where graduates could be awarded cords on stage one by one by someone of their choosing. It was often mentors from the faculty or family members who were doing the cording. In the context of the broader university graduation, this was a welcome addition as it was more inclusive of family and more personal than the comprehensive graduation ceremony. After this, other groups wanted to create their own events and we supported the creation of a student club organized Black graduation celebration and eventually others followed. The state legislature criticized these as "segregation". They were not. No students were segregated into any of these, all were through a process of self-selection and none of them were intended to take the place of the comprehensive graduation ceremony. They were smaller celebrations designed for subpopulations highlighting the interests and needs by being designed by members of those populations.

Since coming to Spokane Falls Community College last year I have gotten to participate in several area graduation celebrations sponsored by community bodies. These celebrations are hosted in different venues (college campuses) and are inclusive of students from a variety of institutions. So even though one may be hosted on the EWU campus, students from all area schools are invited to register and participate. There is one for Black graduates, one for Indigenous graduates, one for Hispanic/LatinX graduate and one for LGBT+ graduates. I really enjoy this model of community engagement and inclusion.

FS

Francisco Salinas (he/him)| Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Spokane Falls Community College
MS 3175 | 3410 W Whistalks Way | Spokane WA 99224
(509) 533-3934 | francisco.salinas at sfcc.spokane.edu<mailto:francisco.salinas at sfcc.spokane.edu>

"Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Spokane Falls Community College meets the needs of our community by advancing student achievement through quality, accessible learning opportunities that embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster global awareness.

From: DEOC <deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Britten, Robert via DEOC
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 3:48 PM
To: Diversity and Equity Officers Commission (DEOC) <deoc at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:deoc at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: Britten, Robert <Robert.Britten at lwtech.edu<mailto:Robert.Britten at lwtech.edu>>
Subject: Re: [DEOC] Thoughts on Multicultural Graduation

Thank you Dr. Garza,

This is indeed a great idea and a controversial one. The supporting article also adds some clarity to the debate. I  personally don't see as problematic as some in the article points out.

The difficulty in doing so at many colleges is that the numbers of graduating students of color just don't warrant the expense and planning for a small group of students. My push back is that we generally don't see an issue with "Pinning Ceremony's" HS Programs and other and other small cohorts of students because we generally see them as specialized and predominately "White".

I suggest we convene a small Task Force to discuss and create a strategy to explore further to ascertain viability and or a path forward that does not create a separate but equal debate but honors the accomplishments of these deserving students from their community.

I'm open for further discussion on this topic.

Humbly,

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From: DEOC <deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Garza, Luz via DEOC
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 2:53 PM
To: Diversity and Equity Officers Commission (DEOC) <deoc at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:deoc at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: Garza, Luz <lmgarza at columbiabasin.edu<mailto:lmgarza at columbiabasin.edu>>
Subject: [DEOC] Thoughts on Multicultural Graduation

Hello family,

I scheduled a conversation with various representatives across my campus on Monday regarding a multicultural event on campus. In preparation, I've been exploring what the history of the event is at our campus and elsewhere.

CBC has held this event the last few years, but people have reported to me that they were planned in haste which means we may have missed the mark on its intention.  I also heard that there was some pushback about it encouraging segregation and a step backward for equity. While the benefits of such events can be quite meaningful for participants, I know this debate is the case at other college campuses as well.

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If you could spare a couple minutes, please respond:

  1.  If you have one, what does a multicultural graduation event look like on your campus?
  2.  If you don't have one, why not?
I appreciate anything else you can share on the topic.

With care,
~Dr. Luz

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Luz Garza, PhD. (ella/she/her)
Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Office phone: 509.544.2024 or ext. 2024

Cell phone: 509-713-0336

2600 N. 20th Ave. Pasco, WA 99301

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