Welcome to the Office of Social Equity

A Message from the Director

Welcome to the website for the VSU Office of Social Equity. The features of our website are designed to acquaint you with the office, our mission, and our staff. Our mission is “Achieving Excellence through Diversity” and it is based upon the 3 central tenets of Diversity:

• Inclusion promotes diversity
• Diversity promotes enrichment
• Enrichment promotes opportunity

The Office of Social Equity recognizes that the changing global environment requires an educated and enlightened populace to thrive in the 21st century.  What does this mean for you?

First, it means the Office of Social Equity is committed to providing activities which foster a respectful educational environment.  A positive campus recognizes the intrinsic value of every participant.  Secondly, the Office of Social Equity encourages the development of policies which improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body and faculty.

You are very important to us. VSU’s Office of Social Equity actively seeks your input.  You are welcome to drop by our office, email, or call with your diversity concerns.

Again, welcome to a positive campus experience.

Respectfully,

Maggie J. Viverette
Director
The Office of Social Equity

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Programs Offered by the Office of Social Equity

Office of Social Equity Department Programming – 2019-2020

Cultural Exchange SeriesBlack Faculty/Staff Support Group Reception
Date/Time: Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Location: Office of Social Equity
Who Should Attend: All members of the VSU faculty and staff are encouraged to attend

Supporting Trans Colleagues and Students
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joanna Schwartz -
Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 7:00pm
Location: TBA
Who Should Attend: Event is open to the public. All faculty, staff, students and members of the surrounding community are encouraged to attend

Engaging Faculty and Staff on the Autism Spectrum
Facilitator/Speaker: Job Accommodation Network (Melanie Whetzel, Cognitive Team Lead)
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: (Large Conference Rm – Oak Street Parking Deck
Who Should Attend: All members of the VSU faculty and staff are encouraged to attend

Supporting Survivors of Dating/Relationship Violence
Facilitator/Speaker: Aware and Prepared Presentation (Dr. Kelly Morrow Baez)
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA
Who Should Attend: All members of the VSU faculty and staff are encouraged to attend

Changing the National Conversation on Disability
Facilitator/Speaker: Matt Nusbaum (Biddle)
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Who Should Attend: Hiring Committees, Students, Faculty and Members of the Community

Disabled Faculty/Staff Resource Group – Reception
Facilitator/Speaker: Dr. Maggie Viverette
Date/Time: Thursday, November 7th at 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Office of Social Equity
Who Should Attend: VSU Faculty and Staff interested in Supporting Accessibility for themselves and Others

Campus Assessment on Accessibility
Facilitator: Dr. Maggie Viverette
Date/Time: Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 2:00-3:00
Location: Office of Social Equity/Campus Wide
Who Should Attend: Volunteers interested in Supporting Accessibility for Themselves
and Others

LEAD Series: Special Topics
Topic Understanding Systemic Bias
Facilitator/Speaker: Dr. Keona Lewis, Georgia Tech University
Date/Time: Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 7:00p.m.
Location: TBA
Who Should Attend: Event is open to the public. All faculty, staff, students and members of
the surrounding community are encouraged to attend

Accessibility for Student Organizations
Topic Incorporating Accessibility into Student Events
Facilitator: Nora Brown (OSE Intern)
Date/Time: TBA – March, 2020
Location: TBA
Who Should Attend: Student organization members and advisors

FRY Bread Night
Collaborators: Four Directions Student Organization
Date/Time: TBA
Location: Office of Social Equity
Who Should Attend: Event is open to the public. All faculty, staff, students and members of the surrounding community are encouraged to attend