Program underscores pledge to a welcoming climate

The Campus Commitment educational program from the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) articulates U-M's commitment to barring discrimination.

"Numerous federal and state laws as well as University policy address the specific types of discrimination that are prohibited," says Anthony Walesby, assistant provost and senior director of the OIE. "This program emphasizes civil rights, and provides the tools necessary to recognize and help keep our campuses free from these forms of discrimination and harassment."

Walesby views the program as an investment in promoting the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to combat discrimination and help better ensure a welcoming climate.

The program's core educational materials include a Web site and booklet that outline forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment, how to properly identify instances of them, and the University resources available for addressing these issues. Interactive discussions and training sessions offered by OIE staff are an important component of the program. Sessions can be scheduled for faculty, staff and student groups by contacting OIE.

Campus Commitment complements the University's Expect Respect program launched last year and aimed primarily at promoting a climate free of bias for the student community, says Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper.

"Expect Respect and Campus Commitment help clearly define the kind of climate we work to achieve and maintain at U-M with the same expectations of civility and mutual respect for every member of our community," Harper says.

Provost Teresa Sullivan describes these resources as important components of the University's commitment to creating and sustaining a welcoming climate for all members of the campus community.

"These programs are important tools for enhancing awareness of and respect for differences," Sullivan says. "Academic communities thrive when diverse ideas and perspectives are presented. These contributions to discussion and debate are much more freely given in communities that support and celebrate the differences among their members."

Associate Vice President for Human Resources Laurita Thomas describes Campus Commitment as a program ultimately designed to encourage mutual respect.

"Maintaining diversity of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives requires an environment free from discrimination and harassment," Thomas says. "Campus Commitment is an investment in this goal for our community."

To inquire about an educational session or learn more about Campus Commitment, visit the Web site at www.cc.umich.edu, or call the Office of Institutional Equity at 763-0235.

More Stories

• Leaders create Pfizer action teams, receive $1 million
• U adopts robust role in boosting Michigan's economic recovery
• Active U challenges andinvigorates, participants say
• New model explains ups and downs of flu epidemics
• New protein database will aid disease research
• Exhibit shows how U scientists have been warming up for climate change discussion
• Spotlight: Nurse saves lives one flight at a time
• Intellectually stimulated children less likely to get spanked
• Say what? Library puts English language history online
• Program underscores pledge to a welcoming climate
• Poor white women with mental woes seek treatment
• Subsidy aids child care needs
• Institute changes name, maintains mission
• U adopts robust role in boosting Michigan's economic recovery
• New procedure seen as powerful tool for correction of myopia
• Expert to tackle issue of bystander behavior
• Turning green gunk to gold, anti-cancer gold
• Transfusions may raise infection risk for heart surgery patients, particularly women
• Complex systems bring success to problem solving
• Researchers compete for NASA Mars mission
• Don't Miss
• Photo: Students explore resistance through art
• Photo: Snow Scenes at Bentley through Mar. 31
• Photo: UMS brings Bell to Hill Feb. 3
• Photo: Top journalists, government officials address increased press restrictions