March 4, 2024 DEI Committee Meeting Notes

March 4, 2024 DEI Committee Meeting Notes Summary

After a brief check-in, members of the DEI committee discussed five topics. First, we explored possible funding opportunities for first generation student graduation stoles and the possibility that a student-led group could help direct this effort. Second, we discussed the Person Equity Index initiative with VC Farias, and most members of the DEI committee will attend the larger meeting this week. The SEHD may serve as a pilot school to advance this work with the consultant group, Merit Co. Third, we checked on the status of our DEI resources folders, which will eventually be shared with faculty and staff as a DEI resource repository. Fourth, we explored challenges that students with disabilities are facing in teacher preparation pathways and matters of equity when it comes to providing support. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is a good online resource, as well as the DREAM organization. Finally, we met with Associate Dean Jefferson to discuss future efforts to gather information from students and early career faculty regarding their experience and how we can improve our pedagogies and structures in the SEHD.