UVA_HRHR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The HR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee was established in May 2020, and in partnership with UVA's Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), promotes awareness of and respect for diversity among UVA staff and faculty; advocates for inclusion and inclusive practices and policies; and ensures equity in human resources programs and processes. Current DEI committee chairs are Brian Ford and Kimberlyn McDonald, Senior HR Business Partners. John Kosky, VP & CHRO is the HR DEI Executive Sponsor.
President Jim Ryan on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In President Ryan's UVA Today article about DEI, he asserted that "Colleges should continue to promote the core elements of DEI, as these efforts are crucial to ensuring opportunity and access, attracting and retaining the most talented people, creating a vibrant campus culture, and promoting a richer and more robust exchange of ideas." He notes that critics fall into two camps about DEI: those who embrace the concept but who are concerned about overreach, and those "who would like to see DEI disappear altogether." His article looks for common ground among the camps.
He goes on to define diversity as "not just race, ethnicity, and gender, but a wide range of other factors and characteristics, including geography, socioeconomic status, first-generation status, disability status, religion, age, sexual orientation, viewpoint, ideology, and special talents" and equity as "an effort to ensure equal opportunity, not equal results." He defines inclusion as "an effort to make everyone feel like they belong and are full and welcome members of the community."
He concludes, saying, "To create a community that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, those in leadership positions have to take actions that actually further those goals – through their admissions processes; their hiring and retention practices; and in the myriad decisions they make about rooming policies, the food to serve, the events to celebrate, the spaces to create for students, and who in their community they choose to honor."
Pronoun Option Added to Microsoft 365 Profile Cards (October 2024)
We are excited to announce that ITS has enabled the option to add pronouns to your Microsoft 365 profile cards. This feature allows us to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment. Pronouns on your profile are visible to people at your work or school, including guests. It will also be reflected in Copilot generated transcripts.
To add pronouns to your profile, please follow the directions provided by Microsoft Support at Pronouns on your profile in Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Support.
November is Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. We’re proud to honor the strength and diversity of Indigenous traditions here at UVA and beyond. Join us in recognizing and uplifting Native voices, stories, and achievements throughout the month.
Learn about UVA's tribal relations and the UVA Tribal Liaison. The Tribal Liaison position was created to serve two interconnected needs: one, to act as a resource for Tribal communities, especially the sovereign Nations, in their relationships with UVA, and second, to coordinate initiatives relating to Native American and Indigenous peoples across departments, schools, and administrative units at UVA.
Native American Heritage Month Events at UVA:
Monday, Nov. 18, 1 - 3 p.m. | Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice documentary screening
The film looks at contemporary Native American nation-rebuilding through stories from Native attorneys, tribal judges and their colleagues, and offers an overview of major historical, legal, judicial and social issues shaping federally recognized tribes. Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Law and the Education Rights Institute, will give welcoming remarks. Lunch will be provided starting at 12:45 p.m.
Nov. 22-24 | Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival
Taking place at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Virginia Museum of Find Arts in Richmond, the 8th Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival honors the contributions of Native Americans and reinvigorates conversations about telling stories of indigenous life.
Friday, Dec. 13, 7-9 p.m. | Community Connection Forum: A Conversation with Monacan Nation's chief Kenneth Branham
Please join us for a rare opportunity to become more familiar with one of Central-Virginia’s most intrepid Indigenous communities.
Thursday, Nov. 21, 12:00 noon | Courageous Conversations: Implicit Bias w/Dr. Greg Townsend
