Southwest Indian Livestock Field Day, May 2-3, 2001

With funding from the Executive Council, seven members of the committee (along with special guests Dr. Louise Canfield and Stan Farlin) attended the annual     Southwest Indian Livestock Field Day at the Hon-Dah Resort in Whiteriver. Members participated in various workshops and events over a two-day period, including several evening events that exposed the committee to many aspects of Native American culture. The event was also an opportunity to network and begin planning for the April 2002 "Conference on Native American Issues: Professionals in Outreach Education."

Building an Understanding of Native American Culture, October 2000.

   The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Diversity Committee began to explore and understand the Native American perspective not only within the college but on the University of Arizona campus. The committee has met with three representative groups-the American Indian Graduate Center, Native American Student Association, college faculty and staff-and have been rewarded with some unique insights into the student, faculty and staff cultures within the campus community. To continue to understand the Native American culture, eight members of the committee attended the Southwest Indian Livestock Field Days in Pinetop, Arizona, participating in several events and begun discussion on program concepts, topics and organization for a Native American Conference scheduled for April 11-12, 2002.

"Partners For Life: A Service Dog's Tale" Educational Diversity Video, January 2000

   After meeting with representatives of local non-profit agencies and conducting some research on similar resources, the committee began a fund-raising effort to produce a ten minute video explaining the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to access rights of service dogs. The video briefly described the legislation, showed examples of assistance services that service dogs provide, and depicted situations where the disabled and their service dogs encounter access problems. The intended audience included major companies and municipalities that serve the public. These include, but are not limited to, buses, trains, planes, restaurants, hotels/motels, educational facilities, government buildings, and private businesses. Fund-raising began October 1997 and with a budget of a little over $4,000, planning and production started in the summer of 1999 and finalized with a premiere of the video on January 19, 2000. A video web site and order page were created http://cals.arizona.edu/agdiv/servicedog/ and copies have been sold from coast to coast.

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Training Trilogy, March/April 1999

   Three diversity trainings were held in the Spring of 1999 on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson (March 11, April 8, April 29). Over 180 people attended the three sessions. The goal of the training sessions was to increase awareness of unlawful discrimination issues. Session titles were: What is Sexual Harassment?...Did I Cross the Line, I've Never Worked with A Disabled Person...What's the Bottom Line?, and Unlawful Discrimination...Where's the Line?. Each session presented information in the form of skits, stories and factual case studies and concluded with questions from the audience. Sessions were open to all administrators, faculty, staff and students and about one-third of those attending were from other colleges, departments and support units on campus. Presentations were made by a unique team called "The UA Prevention Players" and is made up of eight professionals from the offices of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action, the University Attorneys Office and Human Resources. Overall evaluations for all three sessions were a "5"-the highest rating possible.

Committee Training, Fall 1998/Spring 1999

   To enhance the committee's diversity development, four training sessions were conducted in 1998-99. Sessions concentrated on sensitivity issues, diversity awareness and communication, creating a diversity-welcoming workplace, and diversity at the organizational level. Training was conducted by John Mosser, Center for Disability-Related Resources and Tim Wernette, Coordinator, Diversity Education, Human Resources.

"Diversity Defines Us" 9-minute video, May/June 1997

   A team made up of both college and outside talent produced a professional video about the diversity of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. This video features a "donut" format: the introduction depicts a general presentation of the diversity which exists among people in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and the middle section presents the diversity of programs and ideas. The general ending summarizes the concept that "Diversity is Value-Added." The diversity committee provided guidance, direction and leadership for the entire effort. Uses for this short video are as diverse as the people, programs and ideas presented. County agents use it to introduce Cooperative Extension to other agencies, to present a professional image at the beginning of a workshop or to inform elected leaders who make decisions about budget. Specialists use it as an introduction for funding agencies, in workshops, or in interdepartmental presentations. Department heads and school directors use the video for recruiting students and faculty, and for pursuing funding opportunities. The Dean and the Executive Council use the video to introduce themselves as leaders of a highly diverse college with diverse people, programs and ideas.

Purchase of Diversity Training Video, April 1997

   The committee reviewed and purchased Teams in Motion, a 30-minute diversity training video for use with all college-wide teams. Teams in Motion identifies the phases through which teams move to achieve higher performance while illustrating how diversity, relationship and cultural patterns affect the team process. This video also addresses the challenge of relating across differences in the team context. After the Colleges Executive Council viewed the video, the Dean encouraged all department heads and school directors to use the video in their units. The video is also used by each college-wide team as it begins its team process.

College of Agriculture Diversity Day, March 27, 1997

   The time was right to make "the big effort" to reach the entire college with a coordinated presentation of the three diversity goals. Planning began early in 1996 for a Diversity Day celebration with the theme of "Diversity in the College of Agriculture through PEOPLE, PROGRAMS AND IDEAS." The event was in the form of a fair, utilizing culture-related booths, ethnic foods and music, and a special performance of dance, song and skits by the 3rd Street Kids, a group of disabled young people who conveyed the very essence of diversity to everyone in attendance. The entire event provided a powerful example of the effectiveness of the college in recognizing and respecting the ideas and viewpoints of the 250 faculty, staff and students who attended. Pictures from the event can be viewed here.

"Diversity is Value-Added" Training, April 1996

   Three regional diversity trainings were held in the Spring of 1996 in Flagstaff (April 10, 1996), Phoenix (April 17, 1996) and Tucson (April 30, 1996). More than 150 people in total attended the three statewide locations. The goal of the training sessions was to continue to increase diversity AWARENESS, RESPECT and BELIEF by providing definitions and examples of work force trends, appropriate language, case study exercises, and dramatic presentations that illustrated the three goals.

Diversity Home Page (http://cals.arizona.edu/agdiv/), March 1996

   The committee secured funding for the development of a home page to provide a communication medium for exchanging ideas and presenting information and announcements. The Diversity is Value-Added newsletter was uploaded each month to make it available electronically as well as in hard-copy format. The home page also showcases action pictures of college diversity events.

Brainstorming Sessions, October 1995

   Kriza Jennings, a diversity trainer with the Association of Research Libraries, Office of Management Services, Washington, D.C., met with the committee to brainstorm priorities and determine 1996 projects. She noted the importance of our work and encouraged us to think bigger and develop a deeper vision. Under her dynamic and energetic guidance, the committee established a high priority of developing a Diversity Home Page.

Educational Seminars - Personal Perspectives on Conducting Research With Children, Adolescents and Families From Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds With a Focus on Mexican-Americans, 1995-96

   In cooperation with Wendy Gamble, School of Family & Consumer Sciences, the committee cosponsored five seminars during 1995-96. Invited speakers representing Hispanic culture from across the nation presented their research with specific targeted audiences. The intent was to provide College of Agriculture & Life Sciences research faculty with diversity information that would be useful to them in their project work. The average seminar attendance was 40-50 participants. The seminars were advertised to the entire campus community thus marketing the diversity efforts of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Diversity Committee.

Diversity/Gender-Based Workshop, December 8, 1994

   The committee cosponsored a diversity/gender-based workshop titled "Understanding Gender Issues in the Workplace" for the entire college and all campus Deans. More than 100 participants explored the nature of their workplace relationships with the opposite gender and the same gender. Carolyn Desjardins, a well-known author and consultant from Phoenix, led the workshop. Martha Gilliand, then the University's Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, introduced the program, emphasizing the importance of working together on gender issues across the entire campus.

Native American Cultural Awareness Day, In Search of Meanings, February 1, 1994

   Joined by the Executive Council, the committee participated in a visit a nearby Native American healer's home and retreat center. Kristobal Fimbres, Yaqui Indian and Director of the Native Images Foundation, conducted a "Talking Circle" as an introduction to the day's activities. First, the area was purified and blessed with burning herbs and smoke. Next, each person in the circle took the burning pipe and described the happiest day of their life and the next time the pipe was passed, the saddest day of their life. A luncheon consisting entirely of native foods was served. Following lunch, participants had the opportunity to further explore Native American culture through a presentation by healers from the Native Images Foundation. The group then traveled to the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Center southwest of Tucson to visit with tribal council members and discuss how the University of Arizona and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences could support their programs. This personal contact was a valuable tool in opening up another avenue of communication through the understanding of different cultures. At the day's conclusion, everyone agreed this was one of the most intense bonding experiences we have had with the leadership of the college.

Diversity Is Value-Added Training, Part II, March 11, 1993

   The committee sponsored a training session with Rosalyn Taylor O'Neale, president of a diversity consulting firm, who gave a unique and exciting keynote speech at the College's Arizona Land and People Conference. She used humor, warmth and compassion to address the sensitive, complex and difficult issues of "isms" (i.e., racism, sexism and ageism). Five breakout sessions generated in-depth discussion of these special topics: 1) Understanding Differences, 2) Feeling Secure About Differences, 3) Sexual Harassment, 4) Disability Awareness, and 5) Stereotypes. Several hundred people from across campus responded to an invitation to join 200 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences participants at this workshop.

Diversity Is Value-Added Training, Part I, March 10, 1993

   The committee presented Anita Enander, President of Ensemble Training and Consulting, in a workshop on the development of cross-cultural understanding and communications skills to improve outreach and program delivery to Extension customers. Skill building techniques emphasized Hispanic and Native American cultures.

Diversity is Value-Added Newsletter, 1994

   In 1994, the committee obtained funding to publish the monthly Diversity is Value-Added Newsletter. From 1994 to 1998, 42 issues have been produced in both hard copy and electronic formats. This newsletter was distributed regularly to more than 1,000 readers in the college and to a "special friends" list which included the University President, Vice Presidents, Provosts and Deans across campus. Dean Sander continually received positive comments from his colleagues across campus. The diverse views presented each month promote phone calls, email messages and letters. Due to budget cuts, the newsletter was discontinued in July 1998.

USDA National Diversity Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1992

   The original eight College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Diversity Committee members attended this conference together, traveling in a University van. Over the miles, we shared ideas, formed visions and established team relationships. On the return trip, the spirit of the discussion was elevated to a new level because of the quality of the workshop speakers and the richness of the relationships formed. This bonding experience set the foundation for future diversity efforts.