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The office administers various programs and
services designed to promote diversity at Smith. They include the following:
College Initiatives for Diversity Awareness
(CIDA) -- CIDA is a student group within the OID that is charged with
reviewing student proposals for diversity program funding.
Common Ground: Community in Diversity at Smith
College --In December 2004, the Smith Common Ground Project was launched by the Office of Institutional Diversity in response to a charge from President Carol Christ, with the aim of developing strategic initiatives in support of diversity across the college.
The Common Ground Project is a collaborative effort of the Common Ground Campus Committee -- including equal representation from students, faculty, and staff -- and the Common Ground Alumnae Committee -- including representation from class years ranging from 1974 to 2004 -- under the leadership of Naomi Miller, Director of Institutional Diversity.
After wrestling with the significance and use of the term “diversity” throughout the project, the Common Ground Committees offers the following vision, principles and goals in the area of community/diversity, with the aim of identifying a “common ground” understanding of diversity at Smith.
The aim of this Common Ground Working Recommendations Report is to lay the foundation for action that can transform the campus community into one that is respectful of, and welcoming to, all of its members.
Otelia Cromwell Day -- The OID coordinates
the activities of the Otelia Cromwell Day Committee. The events represent the college’s
celebration of diversity and consist of various lectures, discussions, workshops,
performances and exhibits.
Otelia
Cromwell Day Web site >
Campus Climate Open Forums (CCOF) --
CCOF operates as a vehicle for ongoing community discussions about diversity. The
director of institutional diversity serves on the subcommittee of the Council on
Community Policy that is charged with planning and implementing CCOF . CCOF is open
to all students, faculty and staff, and meets once a month during the academic year.
Disability Services Office (ODS) --
The ODS arranges accommodations for disabled community members and coordinates with
various offices on campus to insure that the needs of the disabled are met. The ODS
is also responsible for providing educational forums to raise awareness of disability
issues.
Disability
Services Web site >
Special Needs Advisory Committee --
The director of the OID and the disability services director coordinate activities
of the Special Needs Advisory Committee which provides advise and counsel on issues
of disability.
Civil Rights Grievance Procedure --
The OID administers the Smith College Civil Rights Grievance Procedure which provides
for due process for those individuals who bring complaints alleging violation of
their civil rights as described within the Smith Civil Rights Policy. The OID also
coordinates with the Office of the Ombudsperson in the resolution of informal grievances.
Other Activities -- The OID also maintains
working relationships with the provost on issues concerning diversity and the faculty.
In addition, the director works with the dean of the college and the assistant dean
for multicultural affairs on diversity activities relating to students. Also, the
OID maintains a relationship with human resources, helping to coordinate efforts
for the recruitment and retention of a diverse staff.
Forms
and procedures for faculty searches >
Resources for Learning More About Issues of
Gender identity and Gender Expression -- This list was compiled by the
Office of Institutional Diversity as a resource for those interested in learning
more about issues associated with gender identity and gender expression.
Gender
identity and gender expression resources >
Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program --
The Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program aims to increase the presence on
university faculties of individuals from under-represented minority groups. Sophomores,
either from the foundation-designated minority groups or who have otherwise demonstrated
commitment to the goals of MMUF, are eligible for consideration. The program provides
highly qualified students with faculty mentoring, term-time and summer financial
support for research projects, and the possibility of undergraduate loan repayment
for those who later pursue a Ph.D.
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