Save the date for Plan 2008 forum

All faculty and staff are encouraged to “save the date” for UW–Madison’s seventh annual Diversity and Climate Campus Forum to be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, at Memorial Union.

Titled “Moving Forward Together,” the daylong event will feature a program of speakers, multicultural performances, discussion sessions and exhibits, running between 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

One particular effort this year will center on creating a plan for a series of continuing conversations, culminating in the student diversity forum that is now part of April’s All-Campus Party. The purpose is to keep the campus community continuously engaged on issues of diversity and climate.

For example, one of the fall forum’s concurrent session will focus on reaching a broader and deeper definition of diversity through consideration of the needs of individuals with physical disabilities, from varying religious traditions, linguistic diversity to different nationalities. Subsequent conversations will provide opportunities to delve deeper into the topic, as well as consider others on which the campus community will commit to taking action.

Among this year’s presentations will be discussions of student initiatives to improve campus climate, including the “Think” campaign, from ASM and the Offices of the Dean of Students, and “Inter-Cultural Dialogues” by Ken Taté and MCSC.

Performances will include spoken word, music by Redefined, UW–Madison’s co-ed a cappella group, and dances from Ethiopia and West Africa by the African Students Association.

Faculty members are encouraged to allow classes to attend forum sessions as a substitute for a normal class meeting, wherever possible. Unit supervisors are encouraged to stagger attendance by staff to allow everyone to attend part of the forum. Classified staff members can attend without loss of pay, after getting approval from their supervisor.

For a program of events, including a link to registration, visit http://www.diversity.wisc.edu/forums.php.