Sustainability, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Workshop

Sent to: Faculty Development Network, Academic Affairs Council, Deans

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This workshop is for faculty, administrators and staff of all disciplines, as well as community organizers and city officials and planners, who wish to interconnect and integrate sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion into their campus, curriculum and departments, with particular goals of:

1. Closing the opportunity gap for students of color and indigenous students; 
2. Connecting diversity and sustainability offices and initiatives on campus; 
3. Creating community partnerships and collaborations; 
4. Increasing equity, access and inclusion in organizations, programming and culture 
5. Standing in solidarity with students and community members; and 
6. Experiencing new ways to look at sustainability and diversity. 

Through an intensive, lively and fun three days of presentations, exercises, discussions, reflection and planning, participants will become familiar with approaches to recognize the interconnections of sustainability, diversity and equity. Participants will also experience a range of workshop strategies, be exposed to diverse perspectives and dialogue with colleagues from other disciplines and campuses as they gain skills in incorporating sustainability, diversity and inclusion in their syllabi, lesson plans and campus projects. Participants will also learn about community engagement projects that have created successful collaborations between higher education, K-12, tribal nations and city government.

Conference meals will be fresh, locally sourced from small businesses, including Fat Chance Food (Southern, Home-style cooking) and Root to Rise Kitchen (vegan deliciousness). The workshop will create space for discussion of how sustainability intersects with #blacklivesmatter, police reform, immigrant student rights, Dakota Access Pipeline and indigenous sovereignty, city government, planning and visioning, as well as other topics brought forward by participants. The workshop will include time outside in the campus gardens, farms and outdoor places, including a 5 acre student-run organic farm, the American Indian Medicine Garden and conventional agricultural research plots. Space and time will be devoted to discussion and reflection on place and on different ways of knowing and acting in the world.

The workshop will include presentation and Q&A about several diversity & sustainability models:

• Bemidji State University’s Sustainability Model 
• North Hennepin Community College’s Vision for Sustainability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including Student Diversity Affinity Groups and Community Organizing Class Partnership with the City of Brooklyn Parks 
• University of Minnesota’s Sustainability Leadership Program – Place, Relationships & Expression 
• Minnesota’s American Indian Civil Rights Tour (a joint project of presenters) 

General Information

Retreat Dates: The event will last three days from June 28-30, 2017. The program starts at 4 p.m. on the 28th and will end at 2 p.m. on the 30th. All participants are asked to be present for the duration of the event.
Location: University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment – St Paul Campus, 1954 Buford Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Registration Fee: $350 (AASHE members), $450 (AASHE non-members) – Includes programming and meals (starting with dinner on June 28; breakfast, lunch and dinner on June 29, breakfast and lunch on June 30)
Registration policies: deadlines and policies are listed here
Lodging: participants will book their own lodging. Suggested accommodations are available here
Event agenda: is available here.
Registration Deadline: June 2, 2017
Register today to secure your spot!

Participant Engagement:

This workshop is designed for attendees to participate fully throughout the three days in exercises, discussions, personal reflection and planning so that they come away from the workshop with an understanding of potential next steps they can take on their own campuses. The format will include opportunities for participants to bring forward topics from their own experiences to inform the discussion and gain insight from the perspectives of the presenters as well as fellow participants.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will leave the workshop with:

1. A clear understanding of the connections between Diversity, Sustainability, Equity and Inclusion 
2. How to increase representation and engagement of people of color and indigenous people in this work 
3. Knowledge and understanding of language and terms related to the interconnections of the work 
4. Understanding the importance of Coloring Sustainability 
5. A plan to execute on their own campus 
6. Ideas for funding 
7. The importance of building connections with student and community leaders 
8. Knowledge of working examples of successful partnerships between Higher Education, K-12, tribal nations, community organizations and city and county government 
9. Sample curriculum, diversity plans, affirmative action plans, diversity and sustainability models 
10. How to develop a support system and network of like-minded peers