Bay Path University

Bay Pathway Spring 2018 a unique ability to address diversity issues because they can avoid the immediate and focus on the important, take a long-term view, and bring fresh perspectives from beyond the academy." With the attention on diversity and inclusion established at the board level, in October 2016 a 21-member University Diversity and Inclusion Council was created, inheriting the charge of the Task Force. The Council serves as a standing group to initiate, monitor, and assess programs, policies, and procedures that align with the eight goals. A L L I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y The Diversity and Inclusion Council is comprised of faculty, students and staff, and also two subcommittees focusing on educational and training opportunities for faculty and staff. The latter is critical because the faculty and staff are the faces of Bay Path. More than anyone else, they inherit the cultural pluses and minuses of the institution. From the beginning, staff and faculty participated in interactive sessions introducing the concepts of implicit bias: what it is, why it happens, and how it affects our interactions with others, as well as understanding the various labels we apply to ourselves and others in our everyday lives. Another key partner with the Council is the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Office of Student Affairs. Throughout the year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs plans and presents events, such as the Black History Month Symposium, and serves as a clearinghouse and gathering space for all students. The Office of Student Affairs provides workshops for student leaders and supports clubs and organizations in their efforts to connect and engage all members of the community. All these groups work, and will continue to work, in concert to create positive changes in the Bay Path environment that values access, opportunity, and support for all. 6 "In the 21st century, our world will require an ability to work together…to have dialogue with one another. I am pleased to serve as the Trustee representative on the Diversity and Inclusion Council because I believe my presence as an observer shows the commitment for this initiative by leadership." DR. ESTELA LOPEZ, MEMBER, BAY PATH BOARD OF TRUSTEES V I S I T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y W E B S I T E F O R H I S T O R Y, U P D AT E S , A N D P R O G R E S S O N D I V E R S I T Y A N D I N C L U S I O N : www.baypath.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/

• Cover