/ Strategic initiatives / Accountability / Accountability Meeting Update: May 2022

Accountability Meeting Update: May 2022

May 9, 2022

Presenters: Dr. Erin Bunton, Beth Holcomb, Dr. Lamont Sellers

Related accountability review points:

  • Campus Activities and Code of Student Conduct policies include severe discipline and educational intervention for all clubs and organizations affiliated with the university that host culturally insensitive events.
  • Student conduct board should increase its racial and ethnic diversity by advertising positions on the board to organizations serving marginalized and historically underrepresented students.
  • Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS) should intentionally gear events toward students of Color by collaborating with cultural clubs and organizations to bring a minimum of four or more culturally relevant entertainment (musicians, comedians, film series, etc.) per academic year. APPS to consult with the respective cultural organizations on campus: Asian Student Association (ASA), Black Student Association (BSA), Latin Hispanic Alliance (LSA), and the Native American Student Association (NASA) representatives when planning/facilitating cultural programming. 
  • The board of Student Support Services (SSS) create an email listserv for Black and Brown students to receive notifications about events and support opportunities.
  • Creation of a Social Justice Center.

Summary of presentation:

  • The Office of Student Conduct is actively recruiting for its board but cannot require participation. 
  • After our previous meeting, it was determined that the most effective and efficient way for APPS to gain insight and perspectives from organizations, including but not limited to the four (4) listed here, an APPS representative will attend the President’s roundtable hosted by Intercultural Student Affairs
  • APPS will be regularly engaged in Cultural Competency Training
  • The ISA team is working to create a Google Group to add Students of Color to each semester. Students added to the Google Group will have the opportunity to “opt-out” if they so desire.
  • The Google Group will be sent a digest/summary of upcoming events, programming, and opportunities to engage.
  • Currently, the ISA staff does not have the capacity to create a separate Social Justice Center, at this time. However, the ISA Staff have been working with Student Affairs divisional partners to re-imagine Intersect and Equity in Action.
  • Additionally, we are working to develop social justice oriented interactive workshops to offer in partnership with the Tri-Centers.

Next steps:

  • App State will maintain its commitment to understanding the needs of students, providing services directly or when appropriate, facilitating an efficient and effective referral, developing and modifying policies/processes, being good stewards of student fees, and maintaining honesty and transparency.