Office of Equity and Inclusion Newsletter

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

• 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

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

View PDF of the Fall 2023 Newsletter.