Housing and Residence Life

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Housing and Residence Life Call to Action

Black Lives Matter.

Housing and Residence Life has a responsibility and a desire to address and dismantle barriers oppressing our Black Â鶹´«Ã½s and colleagues. We commit to a departmental action plan that will be informed by direct input from the communities we serve. We approach this long-term work with open minds and open hearts; injustice and inequity cannot have a home with us. Our Black community and all community members with marginalized identities unequivocally deserve affirmation, respect, and equity.

Vision

Housing and Residence Life is deeply invested in our Â鶹´«Ã½s and their experiences. We believe in taking action and working for safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

Pillars

As we look to who we want to be and where we want to go, three key concepts guide us.

  • Safety
  • Education
  • Inclusion and Access

Values

We include and value all members of our community.

We insist on a culture of respect, and recognize that words and actions matter. The absence of action and words also matter.

We appreciate and acknowledge our differences.

We treat all people with dignity, open-mindedness and esteem.

We respect that each of us is at a different place in this process.

We believe that our community is strengthened when everyone has a voice and is encouraged to contribute.

Housing and Residence Life
Â鶹´«Ã½
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5312 USA
(269) 387-4735

Call to Action Plan

  • Create communication avenues for Â鶹´«Ã½s and staff to share experiences and concerns.
  • Continuously examine and assess current practices, protocols and policies within Housing to ensure inclusion and appropriateness.
  • Expand recruitment strategies to increase BIPOC representation in learning communities.
  • Create a positive environment that takes into consideration the physical and emotional safety of Â鶹´«Ã½s and staff.
  • Be aware of and respond in a timely manner to Â鶹´«Ã½ needs as well as current events that may impact the wellbeing of our Â鶹´«Ã½s and staff.
  • Expand DEI training for all Housing staff.
  • Improve DEI programming for Â鶹´«Ã½s.
  • Invest in new strategies to recruit a diverse pool of applications for Â鶹´«Ã½ and professional positions.
  • Evaluate all components in the hiring process, including reviewing recruitment and application materials using a cultural sensitivity lens and bias training before interview cycles start.
  • Address the challenges of being a staff member who is part of a marginalized population(s).
  • Teach Â鶹´«Ã½s and staff what successful advocacy looks like, including how to express desired changes and setting realistic outcomes.
  • Review web, social media and marketing pieces for Â鶹´«Ã½ to share our commitment to DEI and its outcomes.