Office of Equity and Inclusion Newsletter
Welcome to Fall 2024!
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Happy Fall to All! We invite you to read on in this newsletter to catch up on our recent accomplishments and to learn more about exciting news for the upcoming fall months. We are so excited to support students, faculty and staff on campus as we continue to work every day to exemplify our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment. We wish everyone the best of luck as we approach midterms.
- The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) remains dedicated to promoting a sense of belonging and engagement through ongoing consultation, collaboration, and support for students, staff and faculty. More than ever, OEI has been working hard to respond to global, local, and personal events and experiences of our community by enacting and emphasizing inclusivity and care.
- The office was active in new student orientations at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Law School, welcoming students via several presentations and discussions related to inclusion and belonging topics. We’ve also been invited to speak to classrooms on a variety of topics, which we always enjoy!
- In September, the OEI supported the Inclusion and Multicultural Center’s (IME) Great Expectations Mentorship fall weekend retreat aimed at first generation and students of color.
- At the Law School, we delivered several course-based presentations on topics of Bias and Race in Professional Development and will be providing additional presentations on Calling In Skills and Disability Issues.
- Outreach into the Portland community included sponsorship of the El Grito event as part of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Moda Center and attendance at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Annual Convention in Ridgefield, Washington.
- The OEI also produced its first Annual Bias Incident Report, which summarized data from the campus reporting system that aims to assist individuals and groups affected by bias incidents, tracked and documented these occurrences, and proposed responses and interventions aimed at reducing bias on campus. The intention going forward is to continue producing and publishing annual reports summarizing the data in an effort towards transparency, understanding trends, and implementing data-informed responsive strategies.
- We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assistance and Response Team (BART) report system. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices.
On Monday, October 14, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and take time to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, both past and present. This day serves as an important reminder to reflect on this history, to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and achievements of Indigenous cultures, and to continue learning from their enduring legacies.
On our campus, it is essential that current Native students, staff and faculty, and Native alumni lead the establishment of Indigenous-centered spaces on campus. In recognition of those spaces, Lewis & Clark will support several events aimed at deepening our understanding of local Indigenous experiences and contributions. These events provide an opportunity for all of us to listen to essential voices, expand our knowledge, and strengthen our community bonds.
On Monday, there will be a jointly sponsored Native Activism Panel and Dinner in Stamm West at 5 p.m. Also on Monday, the Native American Law Students (NALSA) are hosting a lunchtime event from 12:10–1:10 p.m. (bring your lunch and questions) in McCarty 3 and an evening event from 5:30–7 p.m. in the Legal Research Center with Judge David Avraham Voluck, Chief Judge of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Court and Presiding Judge for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government.
We encourage you to learn about the various events and art exhibits associated with this year’s Native Artist-Scholar in residence, Anthony Hudson (Grand Ronde/Siletz), who also performs in persona as Carla Rossi. We also invite you to learn more about both the Presidential Native American Advisory Committee and the Native American Alumni Association.
Please look out for more news next month when November will bring additional programming for Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, planned by a collaborative Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Center (IME) committee. We encourage you to participate in these events as a way to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and reaffirm our collective responsibility to honor Indigenous perspectives and promote justice and equity in our community.
Moreover, we emphasize the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices not only today, but every day. In honoring the Indigenous groups on our campus, it is essential that we center Native voices and perspectives, uphold the ability to shape respective narratives, and ensure they are heard.
Another meaningful step we can take is to recognize and reflect on the relationship we have with the land on which we learn, work and live by acknowledging the original caretakers who have stewarded it for generations. By fostering a deeper understanding of this connection, we can better appreciate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples and work toward a more respectful and just future for all.
Thank you for joining us in this important community reflection and celebration.
In Community,
Dr. Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Isa Simon, President of the Native Student Union
Employee Spotlight - Gabriel “Gabe” Lorca
My heritage reminds me every day why it is important to remember where we come from and think more deeply about where we’re going. Majoring in History has been a way of connecting with my and other cultures across time. I hope to continue this connection as I progress through my education and my career.
2024 Fall Updates
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to hold fall activities, so please be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees. If you have an idea for a new ERG, please speak to Jaime Cale in our office.
- Lunch & Learns are continuing this Fall! Our October Lunch & Learn is taking place on Thursday, October 24 at 12:00 p.m. in the Watzek Library classroom. Bring your lunch and join us! We will be exploring how campus partners support DEIJ work on campus and broadly, the library’s initiatives in support of inclusion around the campus community, including services, resources, and spaces. Stay tuned for monthly Lunch & Learn’s throughout the rest of the school year.
- As part of our involvement with CIC’s Belong: An Inclusive Learning Community, all faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to register and attend the webinar “Feeling Welcome: Connecting Through Conversations,” on November 6, 2024, from 11:00-12:00 p.m. PST. Presented by Dr. Teresa Nance, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Villanova University, this webinar will provide actionable strategies to enhance classroom dialogue and ensure all students feel heard and valued.
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Native Activism Panel in Support of Indigenous People’s Day: In partnership with IME and Native Student Union, hosted a dinner and panel discussion with three speaker, Terry Supahan (Executive Director, True North Organizing Network), Azucena Morales Santos (L&C Alumnus 2024) and OEI’s own Jaime Cale (Mother, educator, community organizer, Program Manager for OEI). This event gave the campus an opportunity to be in solidarity and learn from Indigenous leaders and L&C alumni on their experience with activism.
- Fall Heritage Months: We have celebrated and continue to celebrate various fall heritage months via campus-wide events to honor and highlight the many important contributions and resources within our diverse communities for Hispanic Heritage Month, Indigenous People’s Day, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Native American History Month!
- Community Dialogues: We continue to support the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings. If you have ideas or questions about Community Dialogues, please reach out to the CD Coordinator.
- Homecoming Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope we were able to welcome you back at Homecoming Weekend this October. OEI was present at various special events, including the Deans Coffee, the Tailgate, the Alumni of Color Reception. We love connecting with our alumni!
-
HEDS Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey, coming soon: A campus wide climate survey is coming to students, faculty, and staff this November. OEI wants to hear from you! More detailed information will be coming your way soon, keep an eye on your L&C email. We are also excited to have survey participants be entered into a drawing for prizes, prizes include:
-
Student Prizes
- Hopscotch Fun Package: 4 tickets to Hopscotch + $100 Doordash + $75 Uber gift card
- Punch Bowl Social Fun Package: $200 for Punch Bowl Social + $75 Uber gift card
- Portland Blazer Game Ticket Package: 4 Blazers tickets (approx $200 total) + $75 Uber gift card
- Three $100 Powell’s Bookstore Gift Cards
-
Faculty and Staff Prizes:
- Four $100 Powell’s Bookstore Gift Cards
-
Student Prizes
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 academic year. As you are likely aware, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released final regulations governing components of Title IX in May. We are pleased to announce the implementation of our new Title IX policy, effective August 1, 2024.
This policy reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of our community. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Our updated policy has been developed to enhance protections against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of sex discrimination, ensuring compliance with the latest federal regulations and best practices. (Incidents that occurred prior to August 1, 2024, will continue to be resolved under the prior Sexual Misconduct Policy.
As a result of the rapid turnaround required for implementation, the 2024-2025 Sexual Misconduct Policy was developed to serve as an interim policy for the academic year. During the 2024-2025 academic year, we will form a Title IX Policy task force to refine and finalize the policy and will hold multiple opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback and suggestions before crafting a finalized Sexual Misconduct Policy which will be implemented for the 2025-2026 academic year. This will allow us to remain compliant with federal regulations, while also giving us some additional time to gather community input.
We welcome your feedback about the new policy. To facilitate this, we will be convening at least two groups to gain a deeper understanding of the policy during the fall semester and to provide substantive feedback throughout the fall and spring semesters.
We are requesting that students, faculty, and staff who are willing to provide feedback to reach out to me directly (at lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu) by September 25 to join this working group. We anticipate that the working group will take approximately 4-5 hours a semester. We will also provide a survey in the spring semester for all campus constituents to complete, so that everyone has the opportunity to provide feedback, even if you are not able to participate in the working group.
Key components of the new policy include:
- Clear Definitions: Comprehensive definitions of prohibited conduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
- Reporting Procedures: Clear procedures for reporting incidents, ensuring privacy and support for all parties involved.
- Supportive Measures: A commitment to providing supportive measures for individuals affected by sexual misconduct.
- Fair Process: Equitable procedures for investigation and resolution of complaints, ensuring a fair process for all parties.
- Pregnancy Support: Additional resources available to those experiencing pregnancy.
We encourage all members of our community to familiarize themselves with the new policy and take advantage of the resources available. You can review the Title IX policy on our website.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Title IX Coordinator at lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu.
Previous Newsletters
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
As we wrap up a busy spring term, the Office of Equity and Inclusion would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible L&C staff and faculty campus-wide for their support and dedication to our collective equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. Your work and commitment help make our campus a better place for everyone. And a heartfelt congratulations to all students for completion of another successful year. To our recent graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the Law School–we honor your remarkable achievements and look forward to seeing all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the future.
We invite you to read on in this newsletter to catch up on our spring accomplishments and to learn more about exciting news for the upcoming summer months. We wish everyone an enjoyable and restful summer and thank you for being a part of our vibrant community!
- The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) remains dedicated to fostering a campus environment that promotes a sense of belonging and engagement through ongoing consultation, collaboration, and support for students, staff, faculty. More than ever, OEI has been working hard to respond to global, local, and personal events and experiences of our community by enacting and emphasizing inclusivity and care.
- The spring term included important time spent responding to our community needs in relation to the Israel-Hamas war to support students, groups, faculty, staff, while also collaborating with other campuses and community resources. We will spend time this summer continuing to develop resources that build robust support systems for all community members, support individuals’ freedom of expression as well as the fight against and to prevent antisemitism, Islamophobia and other discriminatory treatment.
- We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assistance and Response Team (BART) report system. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices. This summer, we are reviewing the 23-24 annual BART data to inform future practices and policy.
Happy Juneteenth! We are excited to celebrate this day of profound historical significance and collective reflection. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to secure and protect Blacks’ legal right to freedom. This freedom came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. This momentous day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
At Lewis & Clark, our campus community is dedicated to fostering an environment where all members can thrive. We proudly recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday for employees campus-wide. We stand firm in our resolve to advocate for equity, amplify marginalized voices, and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder progress. Despite the challenges we face, we remain committed to a mission to create a more just and inclusive society.
Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but also a call to action. It reminds us of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and the power of community in driving social change. We encourage everyone to actively participate in the various local events commemorating Juneteenth, by attending parades or festivals, library programs, learning about the Juneteenth Black Rodeo, or enjoying community maker markets here in Portland or in your local community. However you choose to observe Juneteenth, your involvement is a testament to our shared commitment to honoring African American resiliency and voices, while shaping a future rooted in equity and justice.
Let us use this time to reflect on the progress we have made, acknowledge the work that still lies ahead, and renew our dedication to advocating for liberation and equity for all. Together we can build a better society by learning from the lessons of our nation’s past and forging ahead with determination and thoughtful intent.
Happy Juneteenth 2024, and let’s celebrate freedom with joy and purpose!
- Dr. Danielle Torres
2024 Spring and Summer Updates
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to hold summer activities, so please be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees. If you have an idea for a new ERG, please speak to Jaime Cale in our office.
- Along with the Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Office (IME), our office continued to provide monthly Inclusive Practice Strategies meetings this spring, where employees discussed workplace DEI challenges and offered new ideas to improve their respective work. Thank you to all who participated and supported one another in our collective campus work!
- Thanks to all who attended our Lunch & Learn gatherings for employees this term. Spring topics included York and Wellness. These discussions allowed for opportunities to engage across campus, highlight internal expertise, and provide invigorating discussion as a community.
- This Spring, the OEI and Human Resources launched a new campus-wide employee DEI professional development opportunity: The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Belong Community. This platform provides various learning opportunities for employees, including webinars, on-demand engagement resources, a community of practice, and a credentialed learning course. You can find these helpful resources on an ongoing basis in the weekly Source.
- OEI is sponsoring a Summer Book Club for all employees. Everyone is invited to join in reading and discussing this summer’s book, skin & bones by Renée Watson.
The OEI Office is open throughout the summer. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Do Good Trouble Activism Workshop Series: Held a series of activism and advocacy skill-building workshops led by LC staff, faculty, and students as part of MLK celebration week to kick off the spring term.
- Black History month, AAPI month, and Pride month: Celebrated campus-wide events to honor and highlight the many important contributions and resources within our diverse communities!
- Community Dialogues: Supported the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings, including the first pilot group for a multi-session dialogue titled Race, Identity and Community, to develop understanding and build relational trust among community members.
- Mascot Survey: Encouraged everyone to take the Mascot Survey to make their voices heard and share their opinions, thoughts and experiences with the Pioneer mascot.
- Graduation Celebrations: Sponsored and participated in several wonderful events celebrating our deserving students as they prepared for spring graduations. It’s our favorite time of the year as we share in your joy and achievements, congrats to all!
- Alumni Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope we were able to welcome you back at Alumni Weekend this past June. OEI was present at various special events, including the Alumni of Color Reception and Juneteenth Commemoration. View some photos from our Alumni Weekend celebrations below.
As we wrap up the spring semester, you may have heard about or noticed media attention around new Title IX regulations. The U.S. Department of Education has issued updated regulations, which will require revisions to the Lewis & Clark Sexual Misconduct Policy. If you are interested in learning more, you can find the Department of Education’s Press Release, full regulation text, fact sheet, and summary document on their website.
The implementation deadline for the new regulations is August 1, 2024. Multiple campus offices, led by the Title IX staff in the Office of Equity and Inclusion, will be conducting a close review of the regulations and updating the Policy accordingly.
Sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination are unacceptable at Lewis & Clark, and we are committed to policies and processes that reduce – and ultimately eliminate – the harm of such behavior on our campus. We will update our policy and processes to remain in line with governmental regulations, while also meeting best practices for effective, supportive, and equitable investigation and adjudication of concerns, prioritizing the safety of our campus as well as equity, humanity, and respect for all parties.
To access the Title IX Office, please email me, titlenine@lclark.edu, or fill out a reporting form. Confidential resources can be found below:
- Confidential Advocates 503-768-7107
- Health Promotion and Wellness 504-768-8225
- Ombudsperson 503-768-7336
- Spiritual Life and Religious Support 503-768-7082
- Student Health Center 503-768-7165
- Student Counseling Center 503-768-7160; anytime the Counseling Service is closed, students can access our Crisis Counseling Service at 503-265-7804
- Employee Assistance Program 800-433-2320
If you have any questions or thoughts, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Lori Makin-Byrd
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Lewis & Clark College
(503) 768-6463
Juneteenth 2024 Alumni Weekend Commemoration
Message from the Dean
As the new fall term begins, I reflect on my first year as your Dean of Equity and Inclusion. It has been a busy and rewarding year of serving all members of our community: students, staff, and faculty at all three schools. We have initiated new supports and programming; implemented President Holmes-Sullivan’s initiatives; consulted and collaborated with numerous offices and departments across campus; reaffirmed our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community in light of the recent SCOTUS ruling; and are planning ahead for the new 2023-24 school year. We look forward to a wonderful year for all, and hope to see you out and about on the trails. Or come on over to say hi at McAfee (above the Mailroom)—we’d love to connect!
- Dr. Danielle Torres
L&C employees have shown interest in creating ERGs on campus. By the start of fall term we will likely have two groups up and running!
Check our website soon for information on our Multicultural/BIPOC group and our LGTBQIA+ group.
Employees interested in creating a new ERG are welcome to reach out!
We shared thoughts and connections related to her podcast, and plan to discuss her book, “Me and White Supremacy,” in the Fall.
I look forward to working with students this year in a variety of ways. As a first generation student mentor, working with student groups to plan unique and diverse events and continuing my work as a confidential advocate.
I am also looking forward to working with staff and faculty in inclusive practice workshops, trainings and committees.
Much of my work this fall will also be around revamping our BART system, and making the system more intentional, student-focused and restorative.
- Jaime Cale
Our office is always eager to participate in NSO activities. As part of the team that presents the Belonging at LC Session, we want new students to know that the transition to college is a process for everyone—and we’re here to support you!
Get to know your resources and to take things one step at a time. We’re so glad you are here at L&C!
Welcome and welcome back! I’m Lori Makin-Byrd, the Interim Title IX Coordinator. I’ve been with Lewis & Clark since August 2022. My background is in Clinical Psychology; I previously served in a full-time faculty role at a small liberal arts college, similar to Lewis Clark. I also worked as a case manager for students of concern, which included assisting students who were experiencing a wide range of stressors. This included supporting survivors of relationship and sexual violence. This role also involved working with students who had been accused of violence, helping them navigate the investigation and hearing process.
My role is to assist individuals in the resolution of any reports that fall under our Sexual Misconduct Policy and work directly with students, faculty, and staff who raise concerns of discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence. I serve as a neutral person for all parties to ask questions of and to understand the process, without being concerned that it will impact an investigation or finding. In this work, I’m supported by a team of highly competent and engaged Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Janet Bixby, Associate Dean of the Graduate School; Libby Davis, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Law School; Elaine Hirsch, Associate Director of the Watzek Library; and Helen Howell, Associate Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer.
You’ll likely be hearing from me more this semester—there are predicted to be changes in laws surrounding Title IX in October. If you have questions—or ideas for future columns, feel free to reach out to lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu. You can also always book a time to meet with me at: https://grandriversolutionsevents.as.me/lori-makin.
- Lunch and Learns: every month OEI will host a lunch and learn about topics in the DEIJ field. Let us know if you would like to collaborate or cohost on a topic!
- Jointly hosted (with IME) new talks titled Faculty/Staff: Inclusive Practice Strategies to discuss classroom or office climate and inclusion. Check out the schedule on our website
- BIPOC Community Social to be held on Thursday, Sept 9 at 4pm. Jointly hosted with IME, we will welcome staff, students and faculty from all three campuses to kick off the school year! RSVP online for more info.
- First Generation Mentorship: This program (co-ran with IME) matches faculty, staff and alum with first generation students on campus. Mentorships will be year(s) long, with a focus on career and professional development for students.
- We’ll be at the annual Student Engagement Extravaganza (SEE Fair) so come & seek us out! We’ll be among the many offices & orgs welcoming students back.
Equity and Inclusion is located in room 116-117 of McAfee on the undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 145
voice 503-768-7186
email: diversityinclusion@lclark.edu
Equity and Inclusion
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219