Response to the Diversity Forum
Dear UNI Family,
Last evening, approximately 200 students, faculty and staff gathered in Seerley Halls Great Reading Room for a student-organized diversity forum. Painful experiences and emotions were shared on the part of students with the hope and expectation that these voices would lead to a conversation about how we will do better on our campus.
The university administration, along with the faculty and staff, is committed to engaging and improving the campus culture and the systems and structures we have in place. As our ongoing dialogue unfolds, honest and direct feedback from students, staff, and faculty is essential. We will soon share a draft list of goals that came out of our conversation, for student feedback, and then begin to develop action plans with accountability and transparency measures. As was mentioned many times, this is not an issue the student body, administration, faculty or staff can remedy by themselves. However, if we work together, we will be successful.
As was promised, below are links to the Bias Response Team Web page and specifically the bias incident report form. Please take some time to become familiar with both.
Thank you for your time, passion and courage. We are convinced that the students, faculty and staff at this university are committed to positive change. We know that there is work to be done, but we also know that this remarkable community is up to the task.
Purple for Life! Awe & Wonder!
Bill Ruud A. James Wohlpart
President Provost