Initiatives

CEI is working to foster greater equity and inclusion at Simon’s Rock. Our initiatives come out of ongoing conversations about how to improve our community for every member.

We are advancing the following initiatives from the Bard College at Simon’s Rock Strategic Priorities:

Conduct annual trainings in cultural competency for new and returning students, faculty, and staff.
Establish best practices for recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty and staff.
Evaluate and update annual admission recruitment strategies with diversity as a key goal and communicate the importance of equity and inclusion as part of our values as an institution.
Forge strategic partnerships to advance regional and national equity goals.

We are also working actively on projects related to the following initiatives:

Expanding gender inclusive housing and increasing the number of gender inclusive restrooms. Currently, first year students are assigned housing and paired with roommates based on their gender identity. We have residence halls with many different gender configurations and work with students to find the best fit.
Increase the use of positive education.
Supporting international, DACA, and undocumented students.

The Owl's Nest Center for Social Justice and Culture

The Owl’s Nest Center for Social Justice and Culture is a student run, institutionally supported initiative to further social justice, equity, and inclusion. It is a living, learning environment where Owl's Nest Peer Mentors (affectionately called Owl's) live upstairs with event space downstairs.

Partnership with Alumni Library

CEI works with the Alumni Library at Simon’s Rock to make resources available to faculty, students, and staff, including course guides related to equity and inclusion. For more information, visit the Alumni Library or speak to a staff member.

Annual Events

At the heart of an equitable community are communal spaces where we can listen, share, and learn from each other. The following events take place each year, thanks to the contribution of CEI volunteers. These events provide opportunities for connection, strengthen our community, and give us a firm foundation for continuing to build a more responsive and inclusive Simon’s Rock.

W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture
Pride Week (Inaugural year: 2017)
Symposium on Social Justice and Inclusion

CEI Subcommittees

The CEI subcommittees are made up of students, faculty, and staff. Subcommittee members volunteer their time and energy, adding immeasurably to the culture and environment on campus. We move our initiatives forward with a commitment to shared responsibility. Subcommittees include:

LGBTQIA+
Positive Education
Affinity Group Support and Programming
Symposium on Social Justice and Inclusion
Diversifying the Curriculum
Bias Response Team
Campus Safety Working Group
Accessibility