Cindy Pickart

A virtual hug is an online gesture of personal connection that acknowledges our interdependence while we are apart.

Quote For the Week:

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” Maya Angelou

Tip for Inclusion Online:

Remember the Platinum Rule. The platinum rule states that we should treat others as they want to be treated. I think of it as a step beyond the golden rule of treating folks as we want to be treated. In a diverse community we cannot assume that others expectations are the same as ours, particularly online. So we should devise ways of letting people make us aware of their preferences and be open to honoring them. Conversely, we should, also, afford others a little grace as they come to understand and value our differences, especially during these times of constant change and uncertainty.

Something that brings me joy…

Going for a walk after the rain and seeing the first signs of spring, the daffodils, blooming in my yard is bringing me joy these days. 

I’d love to hear about some of the things that are bringing you joy while we are learning, working and living at a distance. Feel free to send me an email, kimberly.a.barrett@lawrence.edu, about what brings you comfort and some measure of happiness in these difficult times. Pictures are always appreciated.

With warm regards for your continued health and well being!

Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

and Associate Dean of the Faculty

A virtual hug is an online gesture of personal connection that acknowledges our interdependence while we are apart.

Quote For the Week:

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Desmond Tutu

Tip for Inclusion Online:

Slow Down. When we interact virtually, we are missing many of the cues that give meaning to our interpersonal interactions. So we need to be sure to be fully present, avoid multitasking and make sure we read all posts and assignments carefully. Remember, implicit bias most often happens when we are in a rush or tired. This is an opportunity for us to break the habit of “Lawrence Busy”, focusing on one thing at a time, particularly on the things that matter most at this moment.

Speaking of busy, let’s show some gratitude to our colleagues in technology services who are supporting all that we do at a distance. Thank you!

Also, let’s keep in mind the locations and populations that are being hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as we integrate these topics into the curriculum, community engaged learning and volunteer opportunities.

Something that brings me joy…

Winning when playing my very competitive husband in one of his favorite games, cribbage, brings me much joy lately. The other Dr. Barrett doesn’t like to lose. And now that I have time to play regularly in the evenings he is being forced to learn some humility (because I’m triumphant quite often).

I’d love to hear about some of the things that are bringing you joy while we are learning, working and living at a distance. Feel free to send me an email, kimberly.a.barrett@lawrence.edu, about what brings you comfort and some measure of happiness in these difficult times. Pictures are always appreciated.

With warm regards for your continued health and well being!

Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

and Associate Dean of the Faculty

Quote For the Week

“When one door of happiness closes another opens. But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.”

Helen Keller

Tip for Inclusion Online

Practice kindness. Kindness can be the thread that connects us as we work together at a distance. Offering to set up a time to ‘chat’ with someone outside of class, being flexible and calling people in when you disagree with someone (especially online) can go a long way in leveling the playing field when we are all working and learning in different settings and circumstances. Keep in mind that you have no way of knowing the additional responsibilities and demands people are juggling at a distance. To learn more about the science and impact of kindness follow this link.

With that in mind let’s send some love to our students, alumni and others who are in New York or have family there. It is currently being hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

Something that brings me joy…

Playing catch with my kitten, Snowflake, who technically was a gift to my husband, brings me joy. It all began one evening while I was watching television in bed. Snowflake picked up her favorite furry toy, jumped up on the bed and put it down next to me. When I finally noticed it I threw it off the bed. She brought it back to me. We repeated this a few times. Then she took it to my husband who was sitting in a chair across the room. She alternated fetching it between the two of us. We have been playing catch every day since. In the attached video I tried to demonstrate my cat playing catch, but true to her kitty nature she had something else in mind, but it was still fun.

I’d love to hear about some of the things that are bringing you joy while we are learning, working and living at a distance. Feel free to send me an email, kimberly.a.barrett@lawrence.edu, about what brings you comfort and some measure of happiness in these difficult times. Pictures are always appreciated.

With warm regards for your continued health and well being!

Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

and Associate Dean of the Faculty

The deadline for Nominations for the D&I Champion Awards has been extended to Friday, April 17, 2020!

Criteria

Each award recipient has demonstrated exemplary achievement in one or more of the following areas:

Once again, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion will recognize the extraordinary individuals who serve as role models for our efforts to create a more inclusive Lawrence. These individuals use their personal power, talents, position, and influence to help the University achieve inclusive excellence in the execution of its mission. Annually four awards are given: one to a student, faculty, staff member, and a community partner.

• Promoting intergroup, cross-cultural understanding
• Fostering the academic and personal success of groups that have been underserved and underrepresented in higher education   
• Creating a campus climate that encourages and supports the expression of diverse perspectives and ways of being
• Helping to prevent harassment, bullying and illegal discrimination
• Contributing to efforts that foster greater diversity among Lawrence students, faculty and staff

Nominations

All Lawrence students and employees are eligible for the award and can make nominations. Community partner award nominees can be from any location or sector. Nominees can be groups or individuals in any of the categories (i.e., student, faculty, staff member and community partner).

Nominations should include:

• a letter of nomination not to exceed 2 pages addressing the aforementioned criteria,
• an additional letter of support from someone other than the person making the nomination, and
• the nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae.

In the case of a group nominee, provide the official mission/purpose and history of the group along with a description of its membership.

To submit a nomination, please send the above-mentioned items to div-inclusion@lawrence.edu.

An ad hoc committee made up of a subgroup of the President’s Committee on Diversity Affairs (PCDA) will choose the award recipients. Announcements and a virtual celebration will occur in May 2020. Additional details will follow soon

Selection

Deadline

Please submit nominations by Friday, April 17, 2020.