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Student Voice

 

The Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs has been meeting with students, student leaders and student organizations to garner their feedback about the development of the affinity spaces. Over the last few years, students have expressed to need to part of the development of diversity & equity initiatives that directly impact them. With that in mind, we have created a strategic plan for collecting that data which includes researching affinity spaces, conducting interviews, surveys, and hosting discussion groups. This is an ongoing process that will continue while we develop the affinity spaces and expand resources and services.

VISIONING PROCSS

The Dean of Students has outlined the visioning process for the cultural/affinity spaces:        

The visioning process was conducted during the Spring of 2018 and resulted in a Cultural Space Proposal which was submitted on May 1st, 2018. It provided information about the hxstory of advocating for affinity spaces, data collected from stakeholders and recommendations moving forward. This is not a one-time process, we continue to meet with students to ensure we are intentional and centering student voice with the work we are doing.

**As an institutional practice to continue to gather feedback, we are hosting these Affinity Space Discussions to gain an insight into the current needs of our students.

STUDENT AGENCY CONTINUING

Through past focus groups, students meeting with UC Merced administration, students have identified the need to continue to gather student feedback regarding how we develop and structure the affinity spaces/cultural centers on campus. Our hope with is to ensure student voice is centered as we continue to move forward with creating inclusive spaces on campus.

We are dedicated to ensuring student voice is centered by continuing to gather student perspective by meeting with recognized student organizations and individuals. If you would like to support us with adding your voice to this process, you can do so by either meeting (virtually) with us as an individual. As a student organization, we will schedule a time to conduct a focus group with your organization. To schedule a meeting or focus group with your organization, email abaxter3@ucmerced.edu.

ACTIONS TAKEN BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED

UC Merced has been at the center of creating welcoming and inclusive campus environment since openings its doors in 2005. Below are a few of the milestones that continue to focus our attention on equity, diversity and inclusion as well as the initiatives that have moved forward due to the data collected through the strategic visioning process: 

  • 2013-2014     
    • Campus Climate Survey conducted
  • Spring 2015    
    • LGBTQ+ Initiatives created within the Office of Student Life
    • Focus Group with Lambda Alliance Conducted
  • Fall 2015   
    • Students attended the Students of Color Conference in Berkeley and began conversations on the necessity of our campus having safe spaces for marginalized identity communities (of color, LGBTQPIA+, etc.) to go to in times of crisis
  • Fall 2016-Spring 2017
    • Cultural Center focus groups & online feedback conducted asking about cultural spaces at UC Merced
  • Spring 2016
    • Intercultural Hub Opened
    • Dr. Lori Patton Davis, Associate Professor at Indiana University School of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs, author of the book Campus Cultural Centers in Higher Education, was invited to UC Merced to meet with stakeholders from across campus
  • Spring 2017    
    • Black Student Resource Center Opened
    • Graduate Cultural Resource Center Opened
  • Fall 2017        
    • LGBTQ+ Focus Groups Conducted
  • Spring 2018
    • Crucial Conversations Town Hall Hosted to discuss campus climate, student mobilization, background and context for cultural/affinity spaces at UC Merced
    • Intercultural Hub expanded into the Multicultural Center
  • Fall 2019
    • LGBTQ+ Pride Center Opened
  • Summer 2019
    • Associate Chancellor, Chief Diversity Officer hired
  • Fall 2019-2020
    • Learning Tours conducted by the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Spring 2020    
    • Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs Opened
    • People 1st Work Group created & sent survey to gather information about Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Initiatives on campus
    • Affinity Space discussion conducted
  • Summer 2020
    • Developing strategic plan for the Graduate Cultural Resource Center