State University of New York at Potsdam
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

From the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage: SUNY Potsdam recently created the new Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which is overseen by the College’s new Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Bernadette Tiapo. Reflecting the importance of this area, Dr. Tiapo is a member of the President’s Council and reports directly to President Kristin G. Esterberg. The new Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion includes the College’s Center for Diversity, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), the North Country Science and Technology Entry Program (NCSTEP), Title IX, Affirmative Action and the Office of Native American Affairs. Dr. Tiapo also oversees the College’s Diversity and Inclusion in Action Coalition (DIAC), Preparing and Organizing for Change: Teaching, Learning and Practicing Racial Justice at SUNY Potsdam (POP), and the Bias Incident Response Team. The creation of this new division allows staff in each of these vital programs to coordinate more effectively. The Center for Diversity remains a safe space for all; the CFD has recently expanded both its programming and its facility space, in response to increased demand for services. SUNY Potsdam values diversity and inclusiveness in a number of ways. It's part of the college Mission Statement and our unique commitment to community and the Potsdam Pledge. It is embodied in our outstanding Center for Diversity, an office charged with providing all SUNY Potsdam students support both fitting in and standing out. The Diversity and Inclusion Action Coalition (DIAC) is another means by which the college puts words into action. The work of the DIAC covers the breadth of the college experience - student life, academics, curriculum, leadership, community relations, programming, and much more. However, our overall goal can be summarized in one simple statement: The DIAC assists SUNY Potsdam in reaching and maintaining the highest standards of excellence with respect to diversity. From the DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2021 (p.6) "The College offers mandatory online trainings for all employees on preventing discrimination and harassment. Diversity training has been incorporated as a vital component of the orientation process for all new incoming students, as well as skill-building for student leaders such as Resident Assistants. The CFD also offers Student Diversity Allyship Training. "

Each semester we hold DAYS OF REFLECTION which are open to faculty, staff, and students. The Days of Reflection is an initiative intended for education and conversation necessary for moving our campus, community, region, state, nation, and world toward greater racial equity and justice. Following up on the success of, and feedback from, our events in Fall 2016 and Spring 2017, we have scheduled longer sessions to allow for more conversation among participants. This also resulted from a recognition that conversations about race, ethnicity, and culture must be sustained and grown in a society which breeds racial illiteracy and cultural incompetence. These much-needed events and the preparatory work for them were sponsored by the College’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of its belief that "a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is essential in preparing engaged global citizens to lead lives enriched by critical thought, creativity, discovery, and the pursuit of academic excellence.” See most recent DAYS OF REFLECTION program at: https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/diversity/days-reflection-education-racial-equity-and-justice