Unpacking the Spring Diversity Forum

Students and administrators discuss ongoing campus issues

The Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council (IESAC), in collaboration with Santa Clara Administration, hosted the Spring Quarter Diversity Forum on April 26, calling students, faculty and staff to come together to discuss issues surrounding diversity on campus. 

Administrators announced updates on the reimagined Campus Safety Department (CSS), new mental health initiatives, as well as clarified details on the upcoming faculty labor union vote. Angel Lin, secretary of IESAC, and Haley Howard, co-chair of IESAC, facilitated student participation at various points throughout the discourse.

The meeting was approached conversationally. Students were invited to ask administrators prepared questions in addition to giving students time to raise their hands, or leave comments in the zoom chat. 

Acting President Lisa Kloppenberg made several announcements regarding the university’s efforts towards becoming an antiracist institution. 

First, Kloppenberg announced that $1.8 million was allocated this year to support diversity and inclusion scholarships and initiatives. 

$90,000 has also been allocated annually over the next three years to support cultural shows for the Multicultural Center (MCC) organizations, hoping to increase and sustain that fund over time. The fund is to be set up on July 1. 

Finally, the administration has also hired 16 new tenure-track faculty members of color to start next fall.

Regarding the CSS audit, the administration is currently working on reviewing and revising the CSS job descriptions, hoping to increase the pool and diversity of CSS. Students and colleagues outside of the unit will be involved in the hiring process. Vice Provost of Student Life Jeanne Rosenberger cited that none of the short term initiatives, such as the discontinuation of handcuffs and room searches, are 100% complete, however they are underway. 

The administration noted their plans to meet with students who have had negative experiences with CSS. Senior Leah Sparkman suggested the importance of the administration reaching out to students who have reported negative experiences with CSS, rather than solely relying on a space for students to reach out to them.

As for mental health initiatives, SCU plans on partnering Christie Campus, a digital mental health service specifically designed for college students, and Silvercloud, another digital mental health care platform. Jill Rovaris, Director of Health and Counseling Services, announced that with Silvercloud, “every student within the university can get up to five free [virtual] therapy sessions with a therapist.” This service will be available for students in all 50 states, and international students.

Kloppenberg updated the Santa Clara community on the faculty vote for unionization, clarifying that two-thirds of non-tenure-track faculty must vote on unionization to reach quorum, with more than half of them voting “yes” on unionization in order for the union to be recognized. All faculty from the last academic year are eligible to vote. 

The administration made its stance clear that it would prefer a shared governance with faculty members rather than a faculty union. 

New Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Shá Duncan Smith partook in the event, and expressed that, “the work that has been done this year is good.” Smith commented on her excitement in her new position at Santa Clara to, “get a sense of what the community is as we move forward with a shared vision.”

Six students concluded the forum with personal statements. One student detailed her efforts in struggling to garner cooperation from the Santa Clara community in fighting for Benson workers’ rights. Five students detailed instances of racism they’ve experienced at Santa Clara, and called for better protection of the Asian-American community and people of color. 

One of these students, who attended every quarterly diversity forum since her freshman year, totaling 24 hours of dialogue, stated that she has seen no progress in the protection and inclusion of students of color during her four years. 

Another student spoke of the administration’s overreliance on students of color that she’s experienced throughout her time at Santa Clara, recalling her time as an orientation leader, and having to tell other future students of color that Santa Clara is a safe space, while experiencing the opposite.