President Glassner appointing committees to address bias policy, inclusion

President Glassner is forming two groups to work on diversity and inclusion issues; one, a task force charged with reviewing and recommending revisions to the policy on hate/bias-motivated conduct, and the other an institution-wide committee on diversity and inclusion.

“The Lewis & Clark community is committed to being a campus where all are welcome,” Glassner said. “I am confident that the work of these groups will further our efforts to provide all of our students with the best possible learning environment.”

Bias-Policy Committee

Chaired by Professor Janet Steverson, the Douglas K. Newell Professor of Teaching Excellence at the Lewis & Clark Law School, the newly formed bias-policy committee includes students, faculty, and staff from all three schools. Its members are:

• Tricia Brand, associate dean of student engagement, College of Arts and Sciences
• Anna Gonzalez, dean of students, College of Arts and Sciences
• Pilar Hernandez-Wolfe, associate professor of counseling, Graduate School of Education and Counseling
• Tuajuanda Jordan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of Diversity and Inclusion
• Alicia Kirkland, student, College of Arts and Sciences 
• Diana Leonard, assistant professor of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Liz Perez, student, Graduate School of Education and Counseling
• Josh Volvovic, student, Law School
• Jane Atkinson, vice president and provost, ex-officio
• Isaac Dixon, associate vice president and director of human resources, ex-officio
• David Ellis, vice president and general counsel, ex-officio

The work of this committee is part of an ongoing process to review and improve the College’s policies and procedures. The Sexual Misconduct Policy was recently reviewed, revised, and approved by the Executive Council. The Hate and Bias policy is the next major policy to be reviewed. President Glassner has asked the Bias-Policy Committee to make a recommendation to the Executive Council by the end of spring semester.

Committee on Diversity and Inclusion

President Glassner also plans to appoint a new institutional diversity committee.  In recent years, diversity issues have been addressed through school-based committees. While this structure has resulted in several positive initiatives, President Glassner said he recognizes the need for an institution-wide group to build on the work of these committees and develop a more comprehensive plan.  Members of this committee will be selected and announced during spring semester.