As part of a continued commitment to increasing diversity and understanding on-Grounds, the University has plans for a mandatory online Web-based diversity training system, to be aimed primarily at incoming students. The project was announced at the May 31 Board of Visitors meeting.
The Web site will is intended to encourage incoming University students to increase their awareness of diversity issues in order to become more productive members of the University community.
"The purpose of the online diversity training system is to provide entering students with the opportunity to gain insights into the way their own cultural, ethnic or racial expectations and experiences influence their interaction with other students, faculty and staff from different backgrounds with whom they come into contact as members of the University community," Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Christina Morell said.
Politics Prof. Michael Smith, who will serve on the project's faculty steering committee, said he hopes students will actively engage with the system.
The project "is trying to raise awareness of issues and help people on their own to take stock of their own level of awareness," Smith said.
Since users will access the system on their own, organizers hope they will be able to confront their own prejudices and areas of misunderstanding without the self-consciousness that often comes with exploring diversity issues in a more public forum, Smith said.
"It's self taught, at one's own pace and with a certain level of privacy," he said.
Smith said he hoped the Web site would encourage users, especially new students, to inform themselves about issues that they may not be familiar with before they find themselves in situations where lack of knowledge could contribute to misunderstanding.
"One of the ways the Web site can do that is just letting people think about issues before causing inadvertent hurt," Smith said. "We're trying to get people interested from the start," he added.
Funding for the project, which has an estimated $100,000 price tag, has been identified and preparations are being made for the system to be operational by spring semester 2004, Morell said.
The University now will submit a "request for proposal," which will open bidding on the project to design firms.
Because the University is a public entity this process will be open to all qualified firms, Morell said.
"Our ideal would be to have an RFP in place and select a consultant by late July or early August," she said.
The new program is not intended to replace current efforts to increase understanding on Grounds, but rather to enhance their effectiveness, Morell said. "The intent is to establish a baseline of information that would be built on through small group discussions and other program efforts," she said.
Read More
Before you head to the polls, here’s a look at what’s on Charlottesville’s ballot
By Bennett Galper | 50 minutes agoCity residents can vote early at the Voter Registration Office. Those who live in Albemarle County can vote early at the 5th Street County Office Building.
Honor Committee to host annual international student outreach event
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayWill Hancock, vice chair for the undergraduate community and third-year College student, has led planning for the outreach event, which will host informal student discussions on academic integrity.
School of Engineering and Applied Science hosts third annual Engineering Expo
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayPart of a long slate of annual Family Weekend programming, the expo was organized to highlight undergraduate research.
