The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) will officially open on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with an opening celebration at 12 p.m. at the Shark Fountain. The opening celebration will feature music, food, giveaways and tours of the new office’s location.
According to Adler Marchand, coordinator of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, “The office serves as a catalyst for the recognition and coordination of celebration for our diverse student body. We offer resources support, inclusive programs and activities for our diverse student populations. Anything from heritage history to cultural awareness and celebrations, to educational awareness, activism [and] all of those clippings that encompass diversity would kind of branch out of our office.”
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is located on the first floor of the Rosenthal Student Center.
“This office would definitely give students a sense of belonging. With our diverse population, I feel like this office will one help students to feel like they’re celebrated, they’re acknowledged, they feel a part of the community. I think it will give us the opportunity to be educated and learn through the different programs, trainings and initiatives that come out of our office, as it relates to diversity,” said Marchand. “So, students can take that information, learn how to embrace it and … become global citizens. So that way when they graduate, and go into the real world, where they are also experiencing diversity issues or diversity, they know how to approach [it].”
One of the programs that the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging offers is the Diversity Student Council. The Diversity Student Council, according to Marchand, offers programs and trainings on topics like diversity and multicultural competency to students, as well as offering volunteering and counseling opportunities. Students that are interested in joining the Diversity Student Council should reach out to the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for more information.
“We are excited to be able to make the foundation to where we see this thing growing. So, this year, we have been very intentional with that kind of voice and around the table with a decision that we made for the office. So, students have been very involved with the creation of the logo, or the Diversity Student Council [and] setting out to share what they would like to get out of the office” said Marchand. “So, as we continue to make our foundation and create this office, we definitely want to make sure that students understand that this is coming from the student body. I know we’re excited to be there.”
