nuwsletter | december 2023
Volume 12
our nuwsletter / December 2023
Quote of the month:
“It is our collective responsibility to dismantle barriers, amplify voices, and foster an inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
nu-education:
Recently, several states across America have proposed or passed legislation that can impact the scope of diversity, equity, and/or inclusion-related work in public and private institutions.
North Dakota was the first state this year to ban diversity training and hiring statements. The legislation also included the “specified concepts” law, which prohibited colleges from asking students and employees about their commitment to DEI and prevented institutions from penalizing students or employees for disagreeing with more than a dozen concepts regarding race and gender.
Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law banning public colleges and universities from allocating and using federal funds towards diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This could impact recruitment efforts, academic performance, and graduation and retention rates.
In June, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that would ban DEI offices in public colleges and universities and ban higher education institutions from requiring anyone to provide DEI statements or participate in DEI training.
Iowa legislators have been working towards a bill banning public colleges from spending money on DEI offices and professionals. Additionally, the Iowa Board of Regents has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of current programs, while freezing any new initiatives.
Tennessee lawmakers approved legislation to ban mandatory implicit bias training and ban public colleges and universities from penalizing faculty for refusing to participate in the training. This is with the intent to protect teachers who do not want to participate in the training. Following state congressional approval, the bill goes to the governor to be passed or vetoed.
Eradicating DEI programs and initiatives can leave already marginalized communities vulnerable to discrimination, inequity, and exclusion. It is important to be aware of these changes because they can affect our professional, academic, or personal lives. Using credible resources can help us understand and affect changes happening in our own communities.
Sources:
nu-spotlight:
Check out some local (and virtual!) events happening this month! All times in Eastern Daylight Time.
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The keynote will focus on challenges impacting DEI work, identifying biases in cataloging systems and standards, inclusion and advocacy in cataloging, tools and strategies for equitable access to collections, hiring practices supporting a diverse workforce in technical services, and fostering a technical services workforce adept in cultural concepts.
Friday, December 1, 2023
9:30 am to 4:35 pm
Virtual
$0-50
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The U.S. is home to 335 million people, and our population will soon reach a historic milestone. In just 20 years, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that no racial group will make up the majority of the U.S. population. Is your organization taking effective steps to be more inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible?
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Virtual
Free
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The DEI Foundations Certificate is a two half-day virtual cohort session designed to equip leaders, staff, clinicians, and physicians with knowledge, strategies to interpersonally grow and meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment.
Thursday, December 7 - December 8, 2023
11:00 am - 3:00 pm each day
Virtual
$350
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This webinar will be hosted by a CEC team member, who will share the key considerations for conducting a DEI year-in review.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Virtual
Free
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The DEI Toolkit is designed to assess and strengthen three important areas of any organization or system: People, that reflect an organization’s diversity; Processes, that demonstrate an organization’s culture of inclusion; and Power, structures that show how an organization make decisions that lead to greater equity.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Virtual
Free
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Take a break and join your peers for a lunchtime session where you can share advice, ask questions, and come together to talk through what is top of mind in your tech company.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Virtual
Free
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Join DEI and Human Resources Consultant, Gareth Buchanan, as we explore the state of DEI today in this short online training session that's perfect for your lunch break.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
8:00 am to 9:30 am
Virtual
Free
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Gain an understanding of the difference between sex, gender, and sexuality as well as the value of respecting pronouns.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Virtual
Free
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Join our exclusive webinar and meet the DiverseCity App – the future of DEI discussions. Say goodbye to traditional learning; we're taking these crucial conversations to a mobile app, creating more psychological safety for everyone
Thursday, December 14, 2023
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Virtual
Free
Download a copy of the nuwsletter here
