[Important Information for Employees] Moving Forward Together: DEI Mid-Semester Updates

[Diversity, Equity & Inclusion]

Dear Campus Community,


I write today with several acknowledgments. First, I want to recognize that
this has been a semester of turmoil and distraction with our attention
pulled in the direction of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social injustices
dominating our news feeds.  Second, I am committed to ensuring your safety
in the midst of a pandemic, while providing opportunities for us to connect
with each other, care for each other, and move forward as a community
together.

I also write today to express the campus community’s support for members of
our marginalized communities, especially from racial and ethnic
populations. SUNY Plattsburgh condemns any racist, prejudiced and
xenophobic words and actions directed against those members of our
Plattsburgh community. Behavior that dehumanizes or demeans anyone based on
their racial, ethnic, language, national identity or sexual orientation is
uninformed and repulsive, and not welcomed at SUNY Plattsburgh.


Finally, as we enter week nine I want to reaffirm our commitment to your
wellbeing. A part of that is providing intentional opportunities that will
allow us to engage in transformational work on our campus.  A deep thank
you to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have helped to identify
our next steps in some of these initiatives, and who will take part in the
ongoing efforts to put them into action. As part of that work, I want to
share some upcoming initiatives that I am asking you to join, plan with me
and lead with me.



   -

   Cross racial conversations: We will continue to host community dialogues
   that bring together all affinity groups to share stories, disrupt unjust
   narratives and behaviors and speak as a community.
   -

   B.R.A.V.E. Spaces:
   <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fP5TmD9nMpCUtmQi7TgvNdL5CuFquBxv/view?usp=sharing>
   We are also hosting B.R.A.V.E Spaces to provide all members of the
   community an opportunity to share, listen, and learn.
   -

   Community Healing:
   <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IvgCN2Utzwtpht8LaEy8mYSuz93aYhb2/view?usp=sharing>
   On November 2, we will host a community-wide day of conversations with
   world renowned racial trauma practitioner, Dr. Kenneth Hardy. Release time
   is approved, so please coordinate with your supervisors to attend when your
   area of the community is meeting. We will end the day with a community
   forum and my hope is that this will begin the process of moving us forward
   together after past racist incidents. It is my hope that this will help to
   catalyze action.
   -

   Speak Together:
   <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PXYLjUOXH3D52Q3ISpeXvEoCA3iDHWlA/view?usp=sharing>
   We will end the fall with the last part of the Speak Series
   <https://youtu.be/JuLsb63QZDE>, the Speak Together on November 11, at
   4:00 p.m., where students, faculty, staff, and administrators will have an
   opportunity to share what is working, what we should keep and the things we
   still need to change. Our division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion staff
   members Sean Rice, Jenny Vernet, and Zyaijah Nadler will host a Change
   Week
   <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QfOOkLv3OVpqdFpeI1lLTqaQqJKx5vCG/view?usp=sharing>
   to prepare students for the Speak Together. This will be held on October
   26, 28, 30


As we co-create the work and its related initiatives and events I hope your
actions will epitomize “all in”.  Continue to take good care of yourself
and your loved ones and I look forward to us challenging these mountains of
COVID-19 and social unrest together.



In Solidarity and with good wishes always,


*MICHELLE CROMWELL, PhD.*

Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/ Chief Diversity Officer
610 Kehoe
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(o) 518-564-5410 <+1-518-564-5410>
(f) 518- 564-5413

 SUNY Plattsburgh DEI
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/diversity/index.html>

*Pronouns: They, them, theirs*



“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed
until it is faced”.  James Baldwin

My office is a *BR**A**V**E** Z**O**N**E *for DREAMers and individuals of
all ethnicities, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender
identities.
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