Council Charge
The University Council on Diversity was established in 2003 to move SUNY Oneonta forward in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and bias-free environment.
The Council continues its work toward valuing differences, fostering inclusion and supporting excellence; Its structure and charge was redefined in 2020 to reflect the changing needs of the institution and to foster a broader campus involvement in DEISJ issues. The Council works to foster the University’s DEISJ goals through it's five subcommittees.
Council Membership
University Council on Diversity Chair
Dr. Bernadette Tiapo, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion; Equal Opportunity and Compliance Officer; Title VI Coordinator
University Council on Diversity Subcommittees
Each University Council on Diversity subcommittee is made up of faculty, staff and students. Each subcommittee defines the framework and schedule of its activities based on charge.
The five subcommittees are charged with one of the following areas:
- campus climate
- faculty, staff and student advocacy and support
- community outreach, communication and membership
- inclusive excellence, and
- strategic planning and assessment
Campus Climate Subcommittee
Co-chairs
- Jessie Simpauco, Programmer-Analyst, ITS Enterprise Application Services
Members
- Jenny Bagby, Coordinator, Accessibility Resources
- Cameron Conover, Head Men’s Basketball Coach
- Summer Cunningham, Assistant Professor Communication Studies
- Alejandra Escudero, Professor, World Languages and Literatures
- Erin Francisco, Director of Equity & Inclusion Projects & Initiatives
- Emmon Johnson, Customer Support Solutions Specialist
- Samantha Kaminski, Student
- Robert Kirk, Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Pathy Leiva, Director, Access and Opportunities Programs
- Brent McGrady, University Police Officer 1
- Sean Shannon, Lecturer of Law, School of Liberal Arts and Business
- Betty Wambui, Professor, Africana and Latinx Studies
Charge
- Active collaboration with BART, Office of Title IX, and Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and assist with the facilitation of campus climate related discussions, programs and workshops
- Periodically share all UCOD subcommittee updates to the campus community
- Co-facilitate the “How Inclusive Is Your Space” Series.
Faculty, Staff, and Student Advocacy and Support Subcommittee
Co-chairs
- Jasmine Buenviaje, Associate Director for GSRC, Office of Equity and Inclusion
- Jeannine Webster, Associate Director, Accessibility Resources
Members
- Anthony Basile, Assistant Professor, Human Ecology
- Doris Diaz-Kelly, Special Assistant to the Provost, Academic Affairs
- Angie Eichler, Associate Director Student Life and Leadership
- Matthew Hendley, Professor, History
- Denise Leinonen, Assistant Director of Global Education, Office of Global Education
- Chelsea McCracken, Assistant Professor of Media Studies
- Kelly Spettel, Administrative Assistant, School of Graduate Studies and Office of Academic Programs
- Lester Lamoree, Administrative Assistant, Office of Global Education
- Matthew Unangst, Assistant Professor, History
- Lori Wienke, Acquisitions and Electronic Resources Librarian
- Hannah Buchan, Student
- Sofia Dzierzek, Student
- Logan Rogers, Student
Charge
- Assist with the facilitation of discussions geared towards retention efforts; for example, the establishment and/or reinforcement of
- Mentoring programs
- Affinity groups
- New employee welcome /Get together opportunities
- Collaborations with Faculty Learning Center, Human Resources etc.
- Assist with discussions and suggestions on equity related issues
- Assist with reviewing DEI related policies as needed
Community Outreach and Engagement Subcommittee
Chair
- Lakisha Mason, Director, Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services
Members
- Kelly Gallagher, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Barbara Hein, Senior Grant Writer, Research, Grants and Contracts
- Sarah Karinsky, Alumni Engagement Specialist, Alumni Engagement
- Caroline Williams, Director of Community Affairs and Government Relations, President's Office
- Bryce Wooden, Counselor/Recruiter, Educational Opportunity Program
- Rabbi Meir Rubashkin
Charge
- In partnership with the Oneonta Equity Coalition (OEC), develop networking opportunities with community organizations to better understand the role of DEI in their operations.
- Partner with community organizations to plan and organize at least one DEI related event each semester.
- Work with the OEI to plan and organize the annual Campus and Community DEI Fest/Celebration and Recognition event each fall semester.
Inclusive Excellence Subcommittee
Co-Chairs:
- Chloe Diamond-Lenow, Assistant Professor, Women's and Gender Studies
- Chelsea McCracken, Assistant Professor, Communication and Media
Members:
- Amie Doughty, Professor, English
- Bill Harceleroad, Director of Campus Activities and Leadership
- Dr. Shahin Kachwala, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies
- Kirsten Robins, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
- Dorothy Rombo, Associate Professor, Child and Family Studies
- Alanna Rudzik, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology
- Nicole Waid, Assistant Professor, Secondary Education and Educational Technology
- Davelyn Whyte-Johnson, Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program
- Suriati Abas, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education + Reading
- Roberto Rincon, Assistant Professor, Africana and Latinx Studies
Charge
- Inclusive curriculum initiatives in collaboration with the Faculty Learning Center
- Discussions and suggestions on student advocacy related to the classroom environment in collaboration with the Faculty, Staff, and Student Advocacy and Support Subcommittee.
- Tapestry of Diversity Award Committee – Solicit nominees and select award winner (s) annually.
- Assist with facilitating faculty-related trainings, as necessary, in collaboration with OEI, Faculty Center and other departments
Strategic Planning and Assessment Subcommittee
Co-chairs
- Penina Kamina, Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
- Erin Francisco, Director of Equity & Inclusion Projects & Initiatives
Members:
- Dawn Hamlin, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling and Special Education
- Trudy Thomas-Smith, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kiyoko Yokota, Associate Professor of Biology and Biological Field Station Researcher
- Karen Brown, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment
Charge
- Assist the OEI with monitoring and implementation of the University’s DEI goals and continuous assessment efforts.
- Assist with facilitating discussions on the Equity and Inclusivity worksheets
- Co-facilitate the “How Inclusive Is Your Space” Series