Ithaca College

As the chair of the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee, I wanted to thank those students, faculty and staff who attended the Diversity Listening Session which was moderated by President Tom Rochon on Monday, January 25, 2010 in the Emerson Suites. This session was designed as part of the MLK 2010 Kick-off event in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program provided members of the campus community the opportunity to share their views on the critical issues the College is facing at the present time related to Diversity. Members of the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee, President’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, and the Diversity Awareness Committee were present to hear the thoughts and recommendations of those in attendance in order to help committee members in their important work.

In particular, the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee is using the information gathered at the listening session to help guide the work of the College over the next 5 years to advance its commitment to Diversity. At the listening session, ideas were shared about the curriculum, diversity events on campus, training and educational opportunities, recruitment and retention of ALANA students, faculty and staff and other underrepresented populations, disability access, improving the campus climate related to diversity, administration/organizational structures in support of diversity, etc.

I wanted the campus community to know that the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee has been working diligently throughout this academic year to fulfill its charge from President Rochon to develop a 5 year Diversity Strategic Plan for the College in support of its commitment to Diversity. We hope to complete our work by the end of the summer in time to share a draft of the plan with the campus community in the Fall.