CHAPTER 8: DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING
Programming Checklist for Planning Programs
The following checklist serves as a guide to you when planning diversity programs.
Using it will ensure that you take into consideration the department value of
respect for individual differences. The programs or events that are planned
in the Residence Life community must be ones that don’t exclude a group of students.
The list is meant to be used with each program or event – make it a goal to
check each one. The list will challenge you to use more thought and creativity
in programming; if you need assistance, just ask your Hall Director or Complex
Coordinator – he or she would be glad to help! Good Luck!
Make sure that:
- This program does not coincide with a specific
religious observance that may exclude some members of the community.
- This program does not reflect stereotypes
or assumptions about any ethnic or political group, lifestyle preference,
or gender.
- The publicity does not use or depict people
by stereotypes, nor is it exclusive to one group.
- The cultural traditions for this program have been well researched and accurately
reflect the highlighted cultures. The agenda of the activity does not convey
the message that particular groups are included because they “have to be”.
Examples include calling an Easter party a “Holiday Party” while not celebrating
all of the holidays that occur at that time.
- This program and its publicity invite all
community members to attend, not just those who are members of the topic being
presented (i.e.: black history programs, women’s issues, Christianity or other
religious groups, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals).
- This program does not promote traditional
heterosexual activities (i.e.: semiformals, dating games, escort dinners,
tuck-ins, etc.).
- This program is accessible to community
member with disabilities.
- This program does not promote traditional
gender roles in its planning and agenda.
- Planners of this program are prepared to
confront insensitive comments or gestures from participants.
- This program is not centered around a religious holiday for social purposes
(i.e.: Secret Santa’s, Christmas parties).
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Tips for Planning Diversity Programs
- When approaching faculty members about presenting a diversity program, talk
with a professor about his/her hobbies or research interests. Chances are
that this person would love to talk about his/her travels abroad, a community
service project, or a hobby that would enhance our appreciation of diversity
efforts.
- When seeking presenters (faculty or staff) for your educational programs,
try to bring in individuals who represent different ethnic groups, gender,
and lifestyles. This can help your residents to make contact with people
who represent diverse backgrounds.
- When advertising diversity programs, use creative, quality publicity. Student
may have difficulty understanding what diversity programs might include.
Try to use titles that students can easily understand and which specifically
identify the topic of the program. If the focus is stereotypes in the media
– say it; if it is sharing of cultures – say it; if it is racism – say it!
- Remember that diversity programming or education
must take place all year.
- Use bulletin boards to celebrate a specific culture – ask residents to become
involved in this project! While this culture is being highlighted on the
board, offer programs or study breaks that highlight the music, art, poetry,
food or dress from that culture.
- When planning activities during traditional Christian holidays make a commitment
not to “mask” a Christmas party by leaving out “Christ” or holy words. Students
will know that in essence the party is meant to celebrate Christmas. Instead,
try non-traditional ideas and celebrate all holidays.
- Make a personal commitment to hold students accountable for their words
or actions that denigrate or dehumanize other students, including jokes or
stories that are racist, sexist, etc.
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Suggestions for Developing Inclusive Environments in
Your Residence Hall
Sensitivity to all groups on each floor and within each residence hall is an
important responsibility of each residence hall staff member. This is not to
suggest that majority groups are to be neglected, but rather that it is important
to be sensitive to ways in which some residents might potentially be excluded
from the community at large.
The following are suggestions to assist in
developing floor environments that encourage diversity. Also, they may assist
you in getting residents to attend your diversity programs.
- General Suggestions:
- Be sensitive to social patterns on your floor as they develop. Encourage
not only mutual respect but interaction.
- Realize that you are a role model. Refrain from stereotypical comments.
Confront inappropriate comments of others.
- Educate yourself and ask your floor members to do the same. Attend
programs. Concentrate on learning about others, not being taught by
others.
- Apprise yourself of campus and community resources that serve to support
your populations. Provide information in the Fall and follow up as needed
throughout the year.
- Plan programs using a variety of formats:
simulation games, videos, speakers, etc.
- Try to program using a variety of presenters
with differing backgrounds and experiences.
- Use passive programs: bulletin boards,
articles posted in bathrooms, etc., to educate on an ongoing basis.
- Plan ethnic dinners. Add a speaker or short presentation to make the
event more educational.
- Avoid stereotypes when developing advertising
for programs.
- Religious Sensitivity:
- Know which religions are represented
on your floor.
- Celebrate a wide variety of religious
holidays.
- Familiarize yourself with days that
some consider a time of serious reflection and avoid planning socials,
programs, or other festivities on those days.
- Sponsor religious programs that compare/contrast beliefs and cultures
of various religions.
- Consider planning gift-giving activities
around the theme of finals rather than a holiday theme.
- Racial Sensitivity:
- Realize that, although blacks comprise
the largest minority population in the US, there are other racial/cultural
groups that may be alienated by your programming style or personal attitudes.
- Do not limit programs to certain times
of the year (i.e.: black history month).
- Encourage support groups in order to
provide opportunities for residents of similar cultures to share and discuss
common interests.
- Think about the patterns of socialization on your floor. Do the standards
of one cultural group dominate over those of another?
- Are your programs consistently attended by a homogeneous group of people?
- Sensitivity Towards Gender Differences:
- Avoid sexist language.
- Encourage groups of men and groups of women to meet together either
informally or formally to discuss their gender issues and concerns.
- If programs offered on your floor are
influenced by the needs of either the male or female residents because
they are more influential or vocal, check out the needs of the group that
seems less vocal. Explore how gender could be affecting communications
on the floor, in meetings, and during your floor programs.
- Avoid Heterosexual Assumption:
- Don’t sponsor programs that involve residents taking along a date. This
excludes a certain percentage of your residents.
- Create opportunities for the issues
and concerns of gay residents to be openly discussed and processed together
by both homosexual and heterosexual members on your floor.
- Avoid Assuming Ability:
- Make sure that your programs are held in an accessible place.
- Advertise your event both visually and audibly.
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Diversity Program Ideas
- Use videos
- Decorate the floor with a poster series
of targeted group – check area offices or programming resource center for
ideas.
- Display creative and informative bulletin
boards.
- Use educational games.
- Adapt popular game show into educational
games.
- Develop awareness days/weeks/months.
- Organize roundtable discussions for faculty/staff/students
regarding issues on campus.
- Ensure accessibility for disabled students.
- Create support groups.
- Participate and encourage residents to attend cultural events on campus
and in the halls.
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