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Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi today (Oct. 8) issued the following statement:

We as a community embrace diversity in all its complexities and appreciate that a full range of backgrounds and experiences adds a richer perspective to our daily endeavors. In light of past student incidents, we’ve taken various actions to address diversity related concerns. These include the development of courses for managers and supervisors on micro-aggressions and the creation of a restorative justice program.
 
Having said that, I have learned from a variety of sources, including Staff Assembly, the ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Ombuds Office, labor union representatives and Campus Community Relations that staff continue to experience and report bullying, racism, and other offensive workplace issues. These negative issues are a barrier to the university’s ability to be as effective as it can be and to fully live up to our Principles of Community.
 
More than ever, we must address how we support an environment that welcomes and encourages all staff to contribute successfully to the workplace. While the university offers in-person and online certificate courses in diversity and awareness workshops, along with other training programs, we must do more to educate the members of our community and improve the workplace climate.
 
I am committed to developing a comprehensive office climate action plan that tackles exclusion, intimidation, and offensive and/or hostile conduct. I am taking several steps to put this plan into place, starting with creating a task force to identify ways to improve the quality of the workplace through training, awareness, intervention and expectation-setting for all employees. The task force will make recommendations to me within three months. I anticipate that further actions we take will reinforce that the entire ºÙºÙÊÓƵ community has a responsibility to encourage an environment where everyone is valued for their contributions.
 
Here at ºÙºÙÊÓƵ, our backgrounds, personal experiences, values and world views arise from differences of culture and circumstance. When we respect our differences, we have a healthier environment in which to work and thrive. I look forward to working with staff to renew our commitment to a climate that supports equality and diversity.