On Tuesday November 19th, 2019 the Office of Diversity & Inclusion held a fall 2019 gathering where new and returning members of the Chapman Diversity Project (CDP) and the campus community gathered to learn more about and celebrate progress and share goals. 

The Chapman Diversity Project endeavors to bring students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community members together for meaningful dialogue focused on developing strategic priorities and recommendations for diversity and inclusion at Chapman.

The fall gathering presented updates from CDP Advisory Groups & Task Forces. Some of the highlights include: 

The Curriculum Task Force is in the process of exploring the potential development an ethnic studies minor while continuing to support the development of an Africana Studies minor.  

The Advisory Group on the Status of Socio Economic Stratification is collaborating with campus units to establish a relationship with Second Harvest Food Bank that could bring on-going CalFresh sign ups to campus and potentially fresh food to the food pantry for students. 

The Advisory Group on the Status of International Communities is working towards growing participation in the group and visibility of resources for international students through social media and campus engagement. They recently held a student, staff, and faculty mixer for international students in collaboration with the Center for Global Education and the Office of Admission. 

The Advisory Group on the Status of Disability & Accessibility is engaged in dialogues about increasing accessibility at Chapman events, identifying spaces where automatic restroom doors would be ideal across campus, and  inviting guest speakers in the upcoming year to campus in collaboration with the Disability Studies minor. 

The Advisory Group on the Status of Women has approached the Cross-Cultural Center to collaboratively brainstorm about how to spread awareness about campus resources for women and combat microaggressions. They are also collaboratively planning International Women’s Day events in the spring with various campus departments. 

The Advisory Group on the Status of Faith, Spirituality, and Secularism has been working with students and faculty to advocate for a larger prayer room at the Rinker Campus, while working with the Interfaith Center and Sodexo to increase visibility of Kosher food options across campus. 

The Advisory Group on the Status of People of Color is working with the Cross-Cultural Center to collaboratively develop a gathering that will aim to create a more inclusive community within chapman where students of color feel welcome.

The Advisory Group on the Status of Military Affiliates worked with the Office of Admission and the Veterans Resource Center on a Veterans Day luncheon with over 60 attendees and the group is supporting student members in advocating for the establishment of a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter at Chapman.

Advisory Group on the Status of LGBTQIA+ Communities collaborated with the Outreach Coordinator for Wellness Promotion on an LGBTQIA+ Community Mixer this fall and they worked with Residence Life to seek ways to strengthen gender affirming language within the gender inclusive residence application. They are also working on updating the Campus Pride Index and communicating with departments across campus to better understand current systems that utilize preferred names and pronouns.

The gathering also presented the Progress Report – Year Two, Strategic Plan For Diversity & Inclusion which includes updates on the five goal areas of the plan. If you are interested in joining the Chapman Diversity Project, we encourage you to fill out this form on Engage. 

If you have any questions, please contact cdp@chapman.edu.