The University’s efforts towards greater diversity and multicultural awareness recently birthed a new initiative. The Dean’s Diversity Fund, financed by the Dean’s Office, is designed to promote an understanding of and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity among students, faculty, and staff by supporting programs and events that address those topics.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity,” said Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) Leilani Kupo. “The University is able to put [its] commitment to diversity and multicultural education into action by empowering students to create new and exciting programs for the community.”
In addition to SALD, the Dean’s Diversity Fund was developed and implemented by Dean of the College Maria Cruz-Saco, Dean of Campus Programs Richard Culliton, Dean of Student Services Michael Whaley, the Office of Residential Life, and the Career Resource Center.
The possibility of the fund was explored last year when the task force on multicultural affairs met with students, faculty, and staff and identified areas of focus in multicultural affairs, one being programming around diversity issues.
“It certainly speaks to the efforts that the Administration is making towards engaging dialogue between different groups on campus,” said Halim Rizk ’08.
After submitting an application, organizers can be granted up to $500 for producing multicultural programs and events. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. New programs and events will be given priority over those that have taken place during previous years.
“We have limited funds available this year and felt it was important to be able to make a splash with the events we are hoping to support, which is why we settled on a maximum of $500,” Culliton said. “We realize that some proposed events may exceed the amount we are able to provide but believe that other offices and student groups will collaborate to make them happen.”
SALD has already received several applications for diversity funding, and more are expected in the coming weeks.
“Students [who] I have been in contact with have been excited about this new initiative, and some have started thinking about programming that would fit the criteria,” Kupo said. “I think once people learn more about the fund, that many students will begin creating and planning more multicultural initiatives on campus.”
Past efforts towards increasing multicultural and diversity awareness include the Community Development Fund, the Student of Color Coalition, events during New Student Orientation, and Affinity Months.
“[Affinity Months] are the celebrations of communities on campus,” Kupo said. “The month’s activities include educational programs created to have a venue to explore and talk about issues facing the community and social events that celebrate the community.”
Examples of such celebrations are Latino Awareness Month, Black History Month, Asian/Asian American Month, West Indian Student Association Week, and Queer Unity Awareness Days.
Organizers of the Dean’s Diversity Fund view the fund as the first step in starting new multicultural initiatives.
“Our intention is to have a Dean for Diversity and Academic Advancement, but we don’t want to wait until that position is filled to develop new ways to address the issues that were identified in the report from last year [from the task on multicultural affairs],” Culliton said.
Students are optimistic about the new fund.
“It looks like a great initiative, and I hope that the Dean’s office will continue to improve the qualifications based on participants,” said WSA President Jesse Watson ’06.
Cruz-Saco did not respond to questions about the fund.
The web page for the Dean’s Diversity Fund and its application can be found at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/stuact/funding/Diversity_Education_Fund.html.
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