DO create, promote, and encourage multicultural/identity awareness programming and activities in your classrooms/residence halls/departments.
DO aspire toward equity: to treat all of your students/residents/colleagues what THEY will perceive as decent and respectful.
DO learn the correct pronunciations of the names of your students/residents/colleagues.
DO ask questions and DO research to learn about communication/lifestyles of your diverse residents.
DO create programming that shows an awareness of the multiple identities embraced by your students/residents/colleagues.
DO take advantage of the many opportunities on and off campus to experience diversity and inclusion.
DO promote inclusivity, awareness, and understanding with words as well as with actions and beliefs!
DO consider diversity as a responsibility as well as an opportunity!
DO understand that this work can be tough, but it can also be quite rewarding!
DON’T’S
DO NOT consider diversity as an issue, problem, or burden.
DO NOT refer to your students/residents/colleagues as “the Black/Asian/Gay/Muslim guy/girl,” even in casual conversation. (See #4 on the list of Diversity Do’s).
DO NOT limit diversity and inclusion programming to the 5 F’s: Food, Festivals, Flags, Famous people, and Fashion. Try to dig a little deeper to dispel prejudice and stereotype and to promote awareness and change.
DO NOT expect your diverse students/residents/colleagues to serve as full time representatives of their identified group, just as you are not expected to represent the views of all in your group. It’s unfair to them and they cannot possibly represent the opinions and views of everyone who identifies as they do.
DO NOT forget that for many of your students/residents/colleagues, this might be the first time they’ve been introduced to diversity at this level.
DO NOT judge your students’/residents’/colleagues’ actions based on your own understanding/upbringing.
DO NOT limit diversity and inclusion programming to that population alone. All students should have the opportunity to be educated on as many aspects of diversity as possible.
DO NOT be afraid to utilize the resources off campus: There are many opportunities and programs that are often free!
DO NOT be intimidated by what you do not know. You, too, are learning and that is perfectly acceptable!
DO NOT ASSUME that the culture and identity of a student/resident/colleague will not play a role in how you can effectively build relationships and interact with them.
