Coronavirus Q&A</h1> <article> <h1>Coronavirus Q&A</h1> <p>hhempste — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:50:31 +0000</p> <span>Coronavirus Q&A</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-01-27T10:50:31-05:00" title="Monday, January 27, 2020 - 10:50">Mon, 01/27/2020 - 10:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>What are coronaviruses?</strong></p> <p>Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with Middle East respiratory syndrome (<a href="https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/infectious-diseases/resources/mers" target="_blank">MERS</a>) in 2014 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (<a href="https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/infectious-diseases/resources/sars">SARS</a>) in 2003, and now with 2019-nCoV.</p> <p><strong>What is the novel coronavirus?</strong></p> <p>2019-nCoV is part of a large family of coronaviruses, some of which cause illness in people and others that circulate among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. This happened with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2014, and now 2019-nCoV. These viruses may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.</p> <p><strong>How is Ohio tracking 2019-nCoV?</strong></p> <p>Ohio’s public health system includes a team of state experts, local health departments, and local partners that perform daily monitoring of reportable diseases, including 2019-nCoV. ODH is closely monitoring the 2019-nCoV situation in lockstep with the Centers for Disease Control and is ready to respond if a case is reported in Ohio.</p> <p><strong>What happens if a case is reported?</strong></p> <ul> <li>A case or suspected case of 2019-nCoV is reported to a local health department.</li> <li>ODH reports to the CDC and, if indicated, patient specimens will be collected and shipped.</li> <li>Currently, testing for this virus must take place at CDC.</li> <li>ODH will work with local, state, and federal partners to investigate reports of 2019-nCoV in order to identify cases and prevent the spread of infection.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What can you do to limit risk?</strong></p> <p>If you suspect you may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV because you have traveled to China or have been around people who may have been exposed and/or are exhibiting symptoms, contact your health care provider and let them know you may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV before visiting the health care facility. This will help the health care provider’s office take precautionary steps to keep other people from being exposed.</p> <p>Just as with influenza and other illnesses, it’s critical to protect yourself. Experts at the Ohio Department of Health recommend these tips:</p> <ul> <li>The most effective means of protection is the same as those things that prevent other illness such as flu.</li> <li>Practice good <a href="https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/washyourhands" target="_blank">hand hygiene</a>.</li> <li>Follow appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette.</li> <li>Don’t go to work or class when you feel ill. Stay home and rest.</li> <li>Avoid exposure to others who are sick.</li> </ul> <p><strong>When did the first case of 2019-nCoV occur in the United States?</strong></p> <ul> <li>The first U.S. case was announced January 21, 2020 in Washington State. There are ongoing investigations by the CDC to learn more. There are currently no known cases in Ohio. ODH is providing guidance to state and local health agencies and health care providers.</li> <li>Amy Acton, MD, MPH, director of ODH, declared novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a Class A reportable infectious disease on January 23, 2020.</li> <li>Classifying a disease as Class A means that confirmed or suspected cases of nCoV must be reported immediately to the local health district where the person lives (or the local health district where the person is being evaluated if the person’s residence is unknown or not in Ohio). Required reporters include physicians providing care, administrators in charge of hospitals, clinics or other institutions providing care or treatment, laboratory administrators, or any individual having knowledge of a person with nCoV.</li> </ul> <p><strong>If you traveled to affected areas outside the United States where 2019-nCoV outbreaks have been identified (e.g. Wuhan, China) and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.</li> <li>Avoid contact with others.</li> <li>Not travel while sick.</li> <li>Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.</li> <li>Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What is public health doing to protect Ohioans?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ohio’s public health system includes a team of local and state partners who perform daily monitoring of reportable diseases, including 2019-nCoV (educating about what public health does).</li> <li>ODH is monitoring this situation, in lockstep with the CDC, and will be ready to respond if a case should be reported in Ohio.</li> <li>CDC considers U.S. risk low at this time.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Should I cancel a public event I've helped to organize on campus, or should I avoid attending such events?</strong></p> <p>Lorain County Public Health states, “There is no need to change any routine activities or behaviors at this time.”</p> <p><strong>Below are links to trusted sites where you can find additional information:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control (CDC)</a> <span aria-hidden="true" class="fa fa-external-link"></span></li> <li><a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a> <span aria-hidden="true" class="fa fa-external-link"></span></li> <li><a href="https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home">Ohio Department of Health</a> <span aria-hidden="true" class="fa fa-external-link"></span></li> <li><a href="https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/announcements/?action=show&id=8099">Lorain County Public Health</a> <span aria-hidden="true" class="fa fa-external-link"></span></li> </ul> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-01-27T12:00:00Z">Mon, 01/27/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2597">Faculty and Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3342">Coronavirus Updates</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Gregory Pendolino</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Statement Regarding Coronavirus</h1> <p>hhempste — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:40:22 +0000</p> <span>Statement Regarding Coronavirus</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-01-27T10:40:22-05:00" title="Monday, January 27, 2020 - 10:40">Mon, 01/27/2020 - 10:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ�� College is closely monitoring developments in the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. The respiratory illness caused by 2019-nCoV was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and continues to expand. However, it is important to note that there have been two confirmed cases in the United States and no known outbreaks in Ohio.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200127063959/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html">This virus is considered a low risk to the American public</a>, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The Ohio Department of Health is providing guidance to state and local health agencies and healthcare providers.</p> <p>China, the United States, and other nations are taking steps to slow the spread. Travelers are being screened and those with signs and symptoms of illness (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) will undergo additional health assessment.</p> <p>The health and safety of 91ֱ��’s students, faculty, and staff are of paramount importance and everyone in our campus community should take the following precautions, as recommended by the Ohio Health Department.</p> <ul> <li>Practice good hand hygiene.</li> <li>Follow appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette.</li> <li>Don’t go to work or classes when you feel ill. Stay home and rest.</li> <li>Avoid exposure to others who are sick.</li> </ul> <p>Please view this page for additional updates.</p> <p>Anyone on campus who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should call their healthcare provider before going to a facility, to minimize the potential spread of disease. Students should consult with <a href="/student-health-services" target="_blank">Student Health</a> on campus (440-775- 8180). In case of emergency, please call <a href="/campus-safety" target="_blank">Campus Safety</a> (440-775-8444, 24 hours 7 days a week or dial 911). The nearest hospital with emergency services is <a href="https://www.mercy.com/locations/hospitals/lorain/mercy-allen-hospital" target="_blank">Mercy Allen</a> in 91ֱ�� (440-774-1211).</p> <p><a class="view-more" href="/node/184026">Frequently asked questions about coronavirus</a></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-01-27T12:00:00Z">Mon, 01/27/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2571">Campus Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2597">Faculty and Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3342">Coronavirus Updates</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Pang Fei Chiang</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Arriving in Fall 2020: New Tool to Enhance Students’ Academic Journey</h1> <p>hhempste — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:22:30 +0000</p> <span>Arriving in Fall 2020: New Tool to Enhance Students’ Academic Journey</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2019-12-10T16:22:30-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 10, 2019 - 16:22">Tue, 12/10/2019 - 16:22</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In fall 2020, the college will launch new software that will be used to communicate and manage connectivity with students. The software platform, Engage, is a communication and relationship management tool that will improve the student experience with academic advising, support student academic success, and make communications between students and the college more efficient and effective.</p> <p>Engage was selected after a year-long evaluation process with a cross-functional team of campus stakeholders who work closely with students in academic advising, course registration, and academic support services. </p> <p><strong>Who will this new software benefit, and how?</strong></p> <p><strong>Students</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>It’s easily accessible.</strong> The self-service portal gives students a quick way to interact with their personalized support team, starting with their academic advisors. </li> <li><strong>It allows students to expand their communication preferences</strong>. Students can select their preferred method of communication from a variety of options (such as: text messaging, self-service workspace, email, etc.), making it less likely a student will miss important messages or key deadlines.</li> <li><strong>It’s personalized, based on each individual’s academic needs.</strong> It provides custom information tailored to each student’s specific college journey, including to-do lists and automatic reminders when they need to take action. This means that students won’t have to sift through information that’s not applicable to their specific needs, saving them time. </li> </ul> <p><strong> Academic Advisors</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>It expands communications options.</strong> It offers a variety of methods to communicate with students, such as using the software to send a text message, providing advisors a more effective means of communication.</li> <li><strong>It displays academic advising resources in one place.</strong> It makes it easier for advisors to find resources online by linking academic advising resources in one workspace location. This replaces some paper forms, displays relevant academic advising Banner data, and links to other systems such as Degree Works and OnBase. Advisors will no longer have to track down resources in multiple locations</li> <li><strong>It makes referring students for additional support and raising early alerts easy</strong>. Advisors can easily make referrals to other student support services and view a case’s status.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Administrative Staff</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>It simplifies communications. </strong>The software will provide a means to identify a target audience and build a personalized communication plan.</li> <li><strong>It aggregates data used for decision making.</strong> The software can be used to analyze data to gain new insight into processes, course and program offerings, and student outcomes, allowing for informed decision making.</li> </ul> <p>The project team will be giving frequent updates about the implementation of this software as the project progresses, including FAQs, a project timeline, and other information. If you have questions, please email <a href="mailto:engage@oberlin.edu">engage@oberlin.edu</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2019-12-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 12/11/2019 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Engage Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2597">Faculty and Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2414">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2577">Office of the President</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">An aerial view of the 91ֱ�� College campus.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">William Bradford</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Offices Relocate to Dascomb Hall</h1> <p>hhempste — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 19:56:24 +0000</p> <span>Offices Relocate to Dascomb Hall</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2019-08-20T15:56:24-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - 15:56">Tue, 08/20/2019 - 15:56</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the effort to place vital student services in a more central campus location, three offices are now located inside <a href="/dascomb">Dascomb Hall</a> at 140 W. College St.</p> <p><a href="/campus-safety">Campus Safety</a> has moved into a space on the northwest side of the building. Its new location is specifically designed to enhance 91ֱ��'s capacity to foster a safe campus environment. Located in Suite C, its front entrance faces Mudd Center, and parking is available in the Mudd Center lot.</p> <p>Student Health Services and the Counseling Center have relocated to Dascomb Hall from their former location on W. Lorain St. This new campus location brings these services in closer proximity to residential halls and other student support offices.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2019-08-20T12:00:00Z">Tue, 08/20/2019 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2593">Facilities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2571">Campus Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Walter Novak</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>New Offerings in Center for Student Success</h1> <p>hhempste — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 19:50:07 +0000</p> <span>New Offerings in Center for Student Success</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2018-08-29T15:50:07-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - 15:50">Wed, 08/29/2018 - 15:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Center for Student Success offers students a range of academic support services and comprises Disability Resources, Health Promotion for Students, and Student Academic Success Programs. Each program area is led by staff who provide targeted programs, services, and events that support and empower students.</p> <p>This year, the center hired two new staff members in Disability Resources, is working to implement new accommodation technology, and will launch a new peer leadership program.</p> <p>Eric Wagenfeld began his new role as the director of disability resources in July. With a long career in promoting education access, he most recently was a faculty member and worked in Disability Services at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.</p> <p>Wagenfeld sees great opportunities for improving access at 91ֱ��, but he wants to begin his appointment by directly interfacing with those on campus and learning about their needs. </p> <p>“I want to begin by listening to students and faculty and really get to know 91ֱ��,” says Wagenfeld.</p> <p>Chiefly, his priorities include implementing a new piece of technology called Accessible Information Management (AIM). This online tool will streamline the accommodation application process for students and take what’s been a paper-based, multi-step process and shift it to a secure electronic records management system.</p> <p>Through AIM, students will be able to apply online for accommodations, confidentially request appointments, and send faculty their accommodation letters electronically. Wagenfeld says the new technology will be a boon for both students and faculty. The technology is slated for a full rollout later this year.</p> <p>In addition to implementing new programs, Wagenfeld is committed to learning about current policies and other Disability Resources processes so he can improve institutional efficiency and better serve students and faculty.</p> <p>Along with a new director, the center added another position. María Zoraida Maclay '17 will move from a part-time role into a full-time position as Disability Resources Coordinator. In addition to working with advising and assistive technologies, Maclay will provide administrative support to students who are participating in the pilot of a new peer leadership program through Disability Resources during the fall semester. During this initial pilot semester, students will have the opportunity to give feedback on how the peer program can best serve the campus.</p> <p>The new peer leadership program at Disability Resources is made possible through the generosity of former 91ֱ�� parents Michael and Bettina Klein, in honor of their daughter Rebecca Klein who graduated in 2018 and was a student accessibility advocate.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2018-08-29T12:00:00Z">Wed, 08/29/2018 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>New Disability Resources staff, along with innovative accommodation technology, will arrive in the Center for Student Success this academic year.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The Center for Student Success is located in Peters Hall. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kevin G. Reeves</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Antoinette Myers Appointed Interim Assistant Dean of Students, Director of MRC</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:18:55 +0000</p> <span>Antoinette Myers Appointed Interim Assistant Dean of Students, Director of MRC</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:18:55-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:18">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In March, Antoinette (Toni) Myers accepted a one-year appointment as interim assistant dean of students and director of the <a href="/node/4516">Multicultural Resource Center</a> (MRC). Myers began their work in May.</p> <p>In their roles, Myers will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and community partners to facilitate a complex and inclusive vision of diversity and multiculturalism that supports engaged educational excellence. Additionally, they will supervise the MRC professional staff, which includes the Africana, Latinx, LGBTQ, and Asian and Pacific Islander Diaspora community coordinators and administrative assistant, Barbara Kirby.</p> <p>Myers earned a BA from Scripps College in 2012 with majors in politics and Latin American studies. They earned a master’s from Stanford University in 2015 in educational policy, organization, and leadership studies. Just prior to coming to 91ֱ��, they worked as a diversity and inclusion representative at Scripps College, where they designed, implemented, and facilitated social justice education workshops for staff—including senior staff—and student government leaders. They will continue to serve as a consultant to Scripps College throughout this year.</p> <p>Myers served as the MRC’s Africana community coordinator during the 2013-2014 academic year. In this role, Myers was responsible for advising individual students and student groups such as ABUSUA and the African Students Association and working collaboratively with the Africana Studies Department to plan community programs.</p> <p>Myers says they hope to achieve a great deal as interim assistant dean of students and director of the MRC. “I think it is important for our staff (new and returning) to get creative this year about launching new programs, redesigning longstanding programs, and thinking about the evolution of the MRC,” they say. “I also would like to spend some time investing in a structured system of support within the MRC for first-generation, low-income students.”</p> <p>Myers says they also plan to pursue partnerships with the Office of Disability Services, athletics, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, student academic services, the counseling center, and more. “I think that it would be important to cosponsor more intersectional programs around disability, emotional and mental health, and spirituality in queer people of color communities this year,” they say.</p> <p>Join us in welcoming Myers to the 91ֱ�� community by leaving a comment below.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-06-24T12:00:00Z">Fri, 06/24/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Lisa Gulasy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Antoinette (Toni) Myers, interim assistant dean of students and director of the Multicultural Resource Center. Photo Provided by Toni Myers</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Toni Myers</div> </article> <article> <h1>20 Years of the Multicultural Resource Center</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:18:55 +0000</p> <span>20 Years of the Multicultural Resource Center</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:18:55-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:18">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The <a href="/mrc">Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)</a> is a such a crucial piece of the 91ֱ�� experience for so many students that it can be difficult to believe it hasn’t been around since the college’s founding. And yet, the MRC turned just 20 in the 2015-2016 academic year.</p> <p>As the MRC’s 20th anniversary year comes to a close, we celebrate its critical role on this campus by looking back on the causes for its establishment as well as sharing how it has evolved throughout the years.</p> <h2>Founding the MRC</h2> <p>The MRC was founded in 1995 early in the tenure of 91ֱ�� College’s first female president, Nancy Schrom Dye. The founding of a cultural center was one of several recommendations posed by a university-wide task force charged with finding ways the college could better address the needs of students from marginalized backgrounds.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Antoinette (Toni) Myers, <em>Photo provided by Toni Myers</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“Cultural centers are not unique to 91ֱ�� and were created on predominantly white campuses, as historically underrepresented students were routinely excluded from higher education institutions throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries,” says Antoinette (Toni) Myers, interim assistant dean of students and director of the Multicultural Resource Center. “The importance of multicultural centers on liberal arts college campuses is due to the relatively small populations of students of color.”</p> <p>The MRC was created to serve as a hub for the collaborative support of historically underrepresented and disenfranchised student communities; communities that had expressed concerns about a lack of voice, representation, and campus resources. Students of color, first-generation students, international students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ students, low-income students all fall under this umbrella.</p> <p>For 10 years, the MRC operated on “soft money” as the college grappled with how institutionally central it would be, says David Kamitsuka, associate dean of the curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of religion. Adrian Bautista, associate dean of campus life and director of residential education, who served as the Latinx community coordinator from 1996 to 1999, says all community coordinator positions were considered internships throughout this time. This meant community coordinators’ pay was low, they did not receive benefits, and they were unlikely to stay in their positions for more than a year or two.</p> <p>Then in the 2003-2004 academic year, Kimberly Jackson Davidson, associate dean of students and ombudsperson beginning July 2016, released the results of an extensive study she conducted, “the outcome of which underscored the importance of choosing community coordinators who were headed toward professional commitment,” says Linda Gates, emeritus dean of students and associate dean of student academic services. It was at that time that, according to Kamitsuka, the college made a “real commitment” to the MRC.</p> <p>The first step in that commitment was to reclassify the community coordinator positions as Administrative and Professional Staff (A&PS), which drastically increased salaries and made benefits available. The second step was to bring aboard Eric Estes, current vice president and dean of students, as director.</p> <p>"Eric Estes's role as director made an enormous difference,” Gates says. “Eric searched for and hired community coordinators with outstanding credentials and a strong commitment to community support and to issues of social justice, he provided excellent supervision and encouraged professional development, and he brought speakers to campus who appealed to specific student communities and to the campus as a whole."</p> <p>“All of a sudden the MRC office changed,” Kamitsuka says. “Everyone in that office was a highly skilled student life professional as well as a highly skilled multicultural experience professional.” It was during this time, Kamitsuka says, the MRC began to establish its position as a fundamental component of 91ֱ�� student life.</p> <h2>The MRC Today and Beyond</h2> <p>Today, the MRC has a professional staff of six, including interim director Myers, four community coordinators (Africana, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latinx, and LGBTQ), and an administrative assistant. The MRC also receives assistance from a handful of student workers.</p> <p>In addition to supporting underrepresented student communities, the MRC today also strives to advance social justice education and multicultural understanding among all campus communities. The office works toward this goal by sponsoring various programming such as <a href="https://oncampus.oberlin.edu/source/articles/2015/11/06/latinx-celebration-inspires-campus-communities-come-together">Latinx Heritage Month (LHM)</a> and hosting speakers and workshops, all of which align with curricular offerings and appeal to all students, not just those within the represented community.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>The interior of the Multicultural Resource Center, which was renovated in 2014. <em>Photo Courtesy of Multicultural Resource Center</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“Everybody comes to 91ֱ�� with a different background and set of experiences, but everybody wants to have a place where they feel at home—that enhances learning, that enhances the whole human experience,” Gates says. “What the MRC seeks to do is to find some context and history that people who have different backgrounds and experiences can discover here at 91ֱ�� so they can feel at home.”</p> <p>“The MRC is for the campus as a whole. All of our students need to be competent and skilled in negotiating difference and diversity, both on an interpersonal level and an academic level,” Kamitsuka says. “The MRC facilitates that broader conversation.”</p> <p>As for the immediate future for the MRC, Myers’ plans are comprehensive. “We have been talking about re-establishing our faculty advisory board so that we can build a more robust connection between our academic and cocurricular programs,” she says. “I also would like to spend some time investing in a structured system of support within the MRC for first-generation, low-income students. I imagine working with campus partners and researching ways our community at large can receive increased funding for special programs, internships, and summer opportunities.</p> <p>“Finally, I would love to partner with the Office of Disability Services, athletics, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, student academic services, and the counseling center, just to name a few. I think that it would be important to cosponsor more intersectional programs around disability, emotional and mental health, and spirituality in queer people of color communities this year.”</p> <p>Twenty years from now, she says it is her greatest hope that “we no longer have to ask why multicultural/cultural centers are necessary,” particularly on liberal arts college campuses. “91ֱ�� does not exist in a vacuum,” she says. “Having a Multicultural Resource Center on campus will continue to be necessary as long as we live in a society that privileges the experiences, narratives, and perspectives of dominant populations.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-06-09T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/09/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Lisa Gulasy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/david-kamitsuka" hreflang="und">David Kamitsuka</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Members of the Class of 2016 pose for a photo at the 2016 91ֱ�� Lambda Alumni and Multicultural Resource Center Colloquium & Lavender Celebration.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amber Benford</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>CLEARly Committed to STEM</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:21:16 +0000</p> <span>CLEARly Committed to STEM</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:21:16-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:21">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:21</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Obama administration’s 2014 budget proposal includes a $3.1 billion commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, underscoring the growing recognition among educators that strong natural science and math programs can strengthen the general liberal arts curriculum and provide students with essential skills for success in the 21st century.</p> <p>That recognition is not new at 91ֱ��, where the college has again strengthened its commitment to STEM education by establishing the Center for Learning, Education, and Research in the Sciences (CLEAR) with an $800,000 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) Science Education Initiative. CLEAR became fully staffed earlier this year when Marcelo Vinces accepted its directorship and 2012 91ֱ�� graduate Emily Gazda joined on as administrative assistant.</p> <p>The center’s goal is to enhance the quantitative and scientific problem-solving skills of 91ֱ��’s science and math majors through faculty curricular development, workshops, and student peer-led activities, areas that are central to the HHMI project’s goal of improving science teaching and student learning in the sciences.</p> <p>“HHMI recognizes that the development of strong quantitative problem-solving skills is critical for students to succeed both as STEM majors and throughout their future careers in the increasingly interdisciplinary worlds of science and medicine,” says 91ֱ��’s HHMI program director <a href="/node/5221">Jason Belitsky</a>, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.</p> <h2>Like a Writing Center, but for STEM</h2> <p>CLEAR’s services for students will be akin to those offered by the <a href="/node/41931">Writing Center</a>, with CLEAR’s programs and trained peer mentors helping natural science and math students strengthen their understanding of quantitative and formal reasoning skills.</p> <p>The center will provide peer support in such areas as statistics, software, and math that are made use of in a variety of courses, says Vinces.</p> <p>CLEAR is currently accepting applications for peer tutors and mentors. Applications can be completed online and are available on the <a href="/node/4406">CLEAR website</a>. The application deadline is Friday, May 17.</p> <h2>Focus on Visibility</h2> <p>Since arriving on campus barely two months ago, CLEAR’s two-person staff has hit the ground running. Many of their early initiatives have focused on promoting 91ֱ��’s STEM disciplines and advertising the center’s services.</p> <p>• A newly launched <a href="/node/4406">website for CLEAR</a> not only describes the center and its objectives, but it also features information and links to a variety of on- and off-campus resources, making it a one-stop shop of resources for scientific, mathematical, and quantitative pursuits.</p> <p>• Students and faculty can connect with CLEAR Twitter.</p> <p>• On Friday, May 3, the center will host its first annual Lab Crawl. With 22 participating labs and information stations across campus representing every STEM discipline at 91ֱ��, the event aims to increase student awareness of student-faculty research opportunities.</p> <p>• A calendar on the CLEAR website displays all campus events relating to science, math, and technology.</p> <p>“91ֱ�� already provides a lot of support for math, science, and quantitative skills,” says Vinces. “What the new website, the calendar, and social events like the Lab Crawl do is raise the profile of the great intellectual and physical resources we have on campus, as well as facilitate even greater interactions among different facets of the 91ֱ�� community, whether it be among students of different majors, faculty across departments, or staff in various offices.”</p> <h2>Focus on Resources</h2> <p>Organizing and making accessible current science, math, and technology resources—and adding to them—is another of CLEAR’s objectives. Current programs that CLEAR will administer include the 91ֱ�� Workshop and Learning Sessions (OWLS), a peer group-tutoring program. Drop-in tutoring will be available in fall 2013.</p> <p>“Peer mentoring has been shown to be an effective way to reinforce student learning of content from lecture courses,” says Vinces, “and the peer mentors themselves benefit by solidifying their knowledge and honing their teaching and mentoring skills. There is rich scholarship in the effectiveness of these peer-led models, and we are eager to do assessment of these programs, as well as perhaps contribute the scholarship on peer-mentoring.”</p> <p>CLEAR also will sponsor workshops and curriculum development opportunities for faculty. The first workshop, held in January, featured a discussion of teaching quantitative reasoning across the curriculum. A second will take place May 22 and 23, when Corrine Taylor, director of Wellesley’s Quantitative Reasoning Program, leads the workshop “Taking Quantitative Reasoning to the Next Step at 91ֱ��.”</p> <p>During the summer, 10 faculty members will develop new course material to strengthen the teaching of quantitative-reasoning skills. The revised courses will be introduced in the 2013-14 academic year.</p> <p>In the planning stages for fall 2013 is an event examining issues of diversity in the natural sciences that will bring in multiple perspectives from the 91ֱ�� College community and from outside the campus.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2013-05-01T12:00:00Z">Wed, 05/01/2013 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cynthia Nickoloff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2401">Resources for Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">An 91ֱ�� biochemistry laboratory.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Matt Lester</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>