Saint Mary's College of California
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

College Committee on Inclusive Excellence (CCIE) is Saint Mary College's primary committee focused on a long standing commitment to diversity and equity - known as Inclusiveness at Saint Marys. The Committee's work stems from the belief that excellence in learning emanates from a diverse community and a culture in which all members of the community are valued, respected, and supported. This means going beyond the tolerance of difference to one that is guided by social justice, cultural competence and engaged citizenship. The Committee is guided by three goals which were developed from work completed across campus dating to 2008. These include: - Improve the Recruitment, Retention, and Success of Underrepresented Students, Staff, and Faculty. - Build an Inclusive Community - Develop Systems of Accountability and Assessment.

A Campus of Difference was developed by the Anti-Defamation League to help college administrators, faculty members and students learn to examine stereotypes, expand cultural awareness, explore the value of diversity and combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry. All faculty and staff are required to participate in the workshop once every three years. The training initiative was initiated with a multi-day 'Train-the-Trainer program' in August 2009, and now participants continue to give 'A Campus of Difference' workshops. The workshops are held on campus at least twice each semester and are structured to permit attendees to spend time talking about important issues that affect their community – issues that faculty and staff may not usually think to discuss in their day-to-day relationships on campus. Discussions focus on such topics as “How do we work, learn and play with people who are different than we are?” and “How do we create commonalities with people who are different than we are?” Another goal of the workshop is to raise staff and faculty awareness of things happening on campus and to better understand the experiences of people who don’t feel welcome or included. One exercise is “continue, stop, start,” focuses what on Saint Mary’s is doing that should continue, and what should stop, in the effort to build the inclusive community envisioned by the campus larger mission. Beyond the one per three year mandatory training those who desire additional training or discussion can participate in follow-up activities, including semester-long book groups and once-a-month communication workshops on topics such as creating clear communication strategies and how to communicate during conflicts.

CCIE is a standing Committee whose membership includes full time faculty, staff and the President's Cabinet. A summary of programs and initiatives actively underway at Saint Marys College, consistent with the stated objectives of Inclusive excellence, can be found at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/inclusive-excellence. Additional information on the mission and membership of the CCIE can be found at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/inclusive-excellence/college-committee-on-inclusive-excellence-ccie/about-the-committee/membership.