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

Thu Mar 30 17:28:04 PDT 2023

100% and +1 to all that has been shared. In the same ways that the faculty and staff of color and students of color conferences exist, these are moments to celebrate, lift up, and get very specific about the ways that our students of color and those from other marginalized and minoritized identities are being celebrated and it answers the question: whose needs, experiences, voices, lives are being centered.

These are community celebrations and the accusation that it is a step back is another attempt to chip away at this work. These celebrations are an antidote to white supremacy and oppression.

Sophia Kristina R. Agtarap (she/siya)

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

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From: DEOC <deoc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of Melanie Dixon via DEOC <deoc at lists.ctc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 5:13 PM
To: Diversity and Equity Officers Commission (DEOC) <deoc at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Melanie Dixon <mdixon at shoreline.edu>
Subject: Re: [DEOC] [EXTERNAL] Re: Thoughts on Multicultural Graduation

Chiming in late, but echo the comments of my colleagues. These are activities related to belonging, inclusion, and most def equity. All the things we espouse we value. Communities of color have been forced into a symbolic practice (i.e. Commencement) that celebrates the ideals and experiences of their white counterparts. The alternative is totally revamping commencement to be more reflective of communities of colors and celebratory practices that reflect their lived experiences. I assure you this would not get broad support either. So, we are left with creating these alternative spaces and experiences to acknowledge, include and celebrate the hard work of our graduates that provides a symbolic representation of their culture (i.e., stoles, cords). In many ways this serves as their armor when they go to the formal graduation that will frown upon their families coming out in large numbers, hollering at the top of their lungs, and running to the front to capture the monumental moment. This is the same old debate cloaked in the accusation of segregation, which is “don’t” spend money on students’ color. That is unacceptable in 2023 and speaks volumes about the true commitment to equity and inclusion. Just my two cents.

#We Build Together

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

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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

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Cc: Salinas, Francisco <Francisco.Salinas at sfcc.spokane.edu<mailto: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

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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
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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.

College Segregating Graduation Ceremonies by Race Sparks Anger (newsweek.com)<https://www.newsweek.com/college-segregating-graduation-ceremonies-race-sparks-anger-1789278>

https://www.factcheck.org/2021/03/posts-misrepresent-columbias-multicultural-graduation-ceremonies/

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/apr/18/more-universities-holding-segregated-graduation-ev/

University-Student Union (calstatelausu.org)<http://www.calstatelausu.org/ccc-cgc>

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

[Visit the CBC Website]<https://www.columbiabasin.edu/>

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

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