SP 23-18 - Name Change for Center for Multicultural Engagement and Center for International Affairs Approved By: Christina Smith, Richard Yao Approve Date: April 30, 2024 Effective Date: Fall 2024 Policy File: SP 23-18 Name Change for Center for Multicultural Engagement and Center for International Affairs
Drafted By: Center for Multicultural Engagement (CME) Director, Dr. Jennie Luna, and CME Advisory Committee; and Center for International Affairs (CIA) Director), Dr. Andrea Grove Background: The Center for International Affairs Faculty Director and Advisory Committee voted in December 2022 to change the name of the-CIA to the Center for Global Engagement. The name better reflects the work of the Center and the transnational, not only international, nature of the linkages we strive to promote. In addition, the acronym “‘CIA” connotes an unwanted association with a US government agency.
The Advisory Board of CME voted in Fall 2023 to change the name from CME to Center for Social Action (CSA) to better reflect the goals of the center and shift the language to meet updated standards. Most colleges and universities have moved away from the term “multicultural” to reflect more accurate perspectives towards social justice. We are ·’actively” working to create a campus and society that addresses inequities and oppression. Multiculturalism often dilutes the realities of our society and world and our goal is to create critical dialogue and bring to the forefront multi-racial/ethnic, LGBTQ2+ issues and address cis heteropatriarchy.
The Advisory Board re-drafted our purpose as a center in the following way and this name change reflects these guiding principles:
“The purpose of the Center for Multicultural Engagement (CME) is to support and sustain a campus climate in and out of the classroom that values and promotes social justice, transformation, and action. The center provides opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to learn, engage, grow, and commit to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. The CME promotes opportunities to integrate social justice perspectives at all levels of the university, but particularly in the learning environment. Historically, “Multicultural” or “Cross Cultural” Centers across the nation were created at institutions of higher education in the 1970s to address racial tensions, advance the recruitment and retention of students and faculty of color, and promote dialogue and conversations relevant to the time. The CME continues this tradition, and while we do not occupy a physical space on campus, we actively collaborate with lncfusive Student Services and the student centers for Social Justice, Black Students and Chicanx/Latinx Students to address multi racial/ethnic concerns. The CME also provides culturally responsive trainings on LGBTQ2+ issues, Undocumented student andfamily issues, and unconscious bias trainings. We provide support and organize events for Indigenous Peoples Day, Women’s History Month and provide teach-ins, speakers, guest lectures, and events that provide opportunities for dialogue, critical conversations about current events, and decofonia/ perspectives. We believe that education is a means toward liberation.”
Policy: The name of the Center for International Affairs shall be changed to Center for Global Engagement. The name of the Center for Multicultural Engagement shall be changed to Center for Social Action.
University documents (e.g., policies, web sites, forms) that reference these centers shall update the name of the centers.
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