November 1989 The UMD Diversity Task Force was organized at the Request of Chancellor Lawrence Ianni.
November 1989 Judith Kaplan, Director of Affirmative Action and Personnel was asked to convene this committee. The original purpose of the UMD Diversity Task Force was to:
- Develop goals and recommend activities which help increase diversity on the UMD campus and improve its acceptance.
- Identify ways in which we can improve the campus life for all members of protected classes (women, people of color, people with disabilities, Vietnam-era veterans).
- Increase our ability to value differences.
- Review and monitor our Affirmative Action Hiring Plan for academic and civil service positions.
- Review and monitor our research procedures for academic and civil service hiring.
December 1989 The Diversity Task Force as composed by the following units:
- Director of Personnel and Affirmative Action (convener)
- American Indian Advisory Committee (2 Reps)
- Black Student Services (Henry Banks)
- Section 504 rep (Jum Shearer)
- MN Plan II Committee (Shirley Swain and Margaret Johnson)
- Student Association (2 reps)
- Viet Nam Veteran rep (Milan Kovakovic)
- VCAA rep (Linda belote)
- VCASSL rep (Mary Cameron)
- VCFO rep (Bob Stephens)
January 11, 1990 The UMD Diversity task Force recommended including all deans, directors, department heads and Supervisors to be included in the UMD Divesity Task Force as well as officers of student associations and MPIRG; representatives from the American Indian Advisory Board, the minority Caucus, and the ULGBA; representation from the civil service and bargaining unit sectors; and all search committee chairs and/ or representatives from same.
Spring 1990 The UMD Diversity Task Force submitted a request to fund the UMD Diversity Task Force with a budget of $5,000.00.
March 1990 The following people were members of the UMD Diversity task Force:
- Henry Banks
- Linda Belote
- Mary Cameron
- John Day
- Margaret Johnson
- Milan Kovakovik
- Tineke Ritmeester
- Jim Shearer
- Bob Stephens
- Shriley Swain
- Matt Thomas
- Ruben Vasquez
- Sharon Witherspoon
Fall 1990 Dr. John Redhorse is appointed Chair of the UMD Diversity Task Force
Fall 1991 Dr. Joyce Kramer accepted the Chairpersonship position of the UMD Diversity Task Force.
Fall 1992 Dr. Joyce Kramer appointed Chair of the UMD Human Diversity Task Force. The Mission of the Task Force is to serve as a campus-wide steering committee for the purpose of identifying diversity problems, recommending solutions, and promoting a positive campus community environment in which all diverse populations are respected and equally valued with regard to race, gender national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation. The UMD Human Diversity Task Force was composed of the following constituents (alphabetized): the Advisor to African American Students, the American Federation of State and Municipal Employees local, the American Indian and Minority Projects, the American Indian Learning Resource Center, the Anishinabe Club, the Black Student Association, the Asian American Student Association, the Center for American Indian and Minority Health, the College of Education and Human Service Professions, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Engineering, the Coordinator of General Disability Services, the Director of the Office of Personnel and Affirmative Action, the Financial Aids Office, the Peer Advisor to Hispanic American Students, the Peer Advisor to Southeast Asian American Students, the School of Business and Economics, the School of Fine Arts, the School of Medicine, the Teamsters local, the UMD American Indian Advisory Board, the UMD Commission on Women, the University Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance, and the Vice Chancellor’s Commission on Gay Lesbian Bisexual Diversity Issues, and a veteran.
In addition, the following sub-committees were formed:
- Communications: Fostering a positive campus community environment
- Recruitment and retention of faculty and staff who are members of under-represented and under-served groups.
- Recruitment and retention of diverse student body: Fostering a positive student life.
- Curriculum development
May 1992 Recommendations of the UMD Human Diversity Task Force for Enhancing Campus Diversity presented to Chancellor Lawrence Ianni
- Mission: the Primary purpose of the Commission is to serve as an independent advisory to the UMD Administration and to work particularly closely with the Director of Affirmative Action in the promotion of affirmative action and equal opportunity within the UMD community of students, faculty and staff. The Commission will consider facilitating and/or participating in campus and equal opportunity for protected classes and other underrepresented groups.
April 22, 1993 First UMD Diversity Forum
1993-1994 Mary Cameron and Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Co-Chairs of The UMD Commission on Human Diversity. UMD Commission on Human Diversity Brochure is designed.
1994-1995 Dr. Joyce Kramer and Mary Cameron, Co-Chairs of The UMD Commission on Human Diversity. Spring Campus Diversity Forum
1995-1996 Dr. Joyce Kramer and Mary Cameron, Co-chairs of the UMD Commission On Human Diversity
1996-1997 Dr. Joyce Kramer Chair
1996 Recommendations of the UMD Commission on Human Diversity for Celebrating and Enhancing campus Diversity.
1997-1998 Dr. Robert Repinski and Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Co-Chairs of the UMD Commission on Human Diversity. Commission on Human Diversity is restructured by Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin. The Human Diversity was composed of the following constituents:
- Festus Addo-Yobo, African American Learning Resource Center
- Mary Cameron, Human Resources
- Sara Engrebetson, Housing
- Pam Griffin, Access Center
- Sarah Mannetter, MPIRG
- Dorothy Olson, American Indian Learning Resource Center
- Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Hispanic/Latino/Chicana Learning Resource Center
- Robert Powless, American Indian Studies
- Betsy Quintero, Department of Education
- Robert Repinski, Department of Art
- Tineke Ritmeester, Women’s Studies
- Karin Robbins, International Student Advisor
- Carol Zanko, School of Business & Economics
1998-1999 Dr. Robert Powless and Susana Pelayo-Woodward are appointed Co-Chairs of the UMD Commission on Human Diversity
1999-2000 This year was a year when the Commission was inactive. While the Equity Education and Services Fund made a number of grants for activities such as the visit of Dr. Lydia Block on Disability Issues in Education, GLBT’s day-long conference, “Surviving and Thriving: 2000 and Beyond,” HLC’s sponsorship of Cherrie Moraga , and AILC’s sponsorship of Dr. Arvol Looking Horse, the Diversity Commission itself (which was essentially two people - Deborah Petersen Perlman and Susana Pelayo-Woodward) received $2600 to sponsor the visit of anti-racism activist Tim Wise.
2000-2001 Tim Wise was invited again to do both a public presentation and a leadership workshop on diversity for student leaders. Once again, the Commission itself was inactive. Wise’s visit was facilitated by the same two individuals who brought him to campus in 1999-2000. We had a Diversity Forum on Retaining and Recruiting Faculty of Color in the spring of 2001.
2001-2002 Deborah Petersen-Perlman convened a group which facilitated the following activities as part of the Diversity Week:
- “Celebrate Diversity” tabling in Kirby
- Stop the Hate workshops with Teresa Glover
- African Drums in Kirby Lounge
- Co-sponsorship of Peggy McIntosh’s keynote address as part of a Women’s Studies initiative
- Showing the film, “Black is…Black Ain’t
- Brown Bag Diversity Roundtable Discussion
2002-2003 Deborah Petersen-Perlman acted as convener once again and we brought Sharon Sayles-Belton, former mayor of the city of Minneapolis. She made a keynote presentation and classroom visits in Political Science, History and Criminology. Sponsorship of the presentation on “Towards Understanding Islam” by Nehwr Abdul-Wahid.
2003-2004 Dr. Deborah Petersend Perlman acted as a convener.
2004-2005 Ruth Leathers is appointed Chair of the Diversity Commission.
2005-2006 Lucia Barker and Monte Gomke appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission.
2006-2007 Dorothy Olson and Monte Gomke appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission.
2007-2008 Dorothy Olson and Shelly appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission. Programs: UMD Speakout, Dr. Shakti Butler - The UMD Diversity Commission hosted Dr. Shakti Butler for three workshops on October 8, 2007.
2008-2009 Joie Acheson Lee and Shelly Smith appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission.
Programs: UMD Speakout, Tim Wise Keynote / Bridges Student Leadership Conference and “White Like Me” Campus Wide Book Discussions UMD Summit on Equity, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Keynote Speaker Beverly Daniels Tatum and “Can We Talk About Race…?” Campus Wide Book Discussions
2009-2010 Joie Acheson Lee and Megan Perry-Spears appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission. Programs: What Happens to Diversity in Efforts in a Time of Economic Uncertainty by Dr. Rusty Barcelo, Post-Race America: Racism in the Age of Obama by damali ayo, Our Diverse World Forum, Laughing Without an Accent Book Discussions / Presentations, Library Guide, Shared Humanity Through Humor by Firoozeh Dumas, and UMD Speakout.
2010-2011 Joie Acheson Lee and Megan Perry-Spears appointed co-chaire of the Diversity Commission. Programs: Truth & Reconciliation: Difficult to Speak and Impossible to
Remain Silent, Truth and Reconciliation: Having the Courageous Discussions
Summit on Equity, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Keynote Speakers: Karina
Walters and Wing Young Huie. SPAT OUT.
2011-2012 Paula Pedersen and Joie Acheson Lee appointed co-chairs of the Diversity Commission. Programs: Campus Wide Theme: How did you come to be here? Curriculum creation to complement the campus wide theme, it also included, video and radio interviews, PASTURES OF PLENTY PERFORMANCE, What is America? Continuing the Dialogue about how we came to be Here Lecture Series: Living in Two Americas Keynote Speaker: Tony Treuer, America That We Know: Underrepresented Perspectives by Ahmed Heikal, Associate Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Imagining America by Dr. Steve Matthews, History Department, John & Erika Speak: Life, Love, and Autism by Erika Hammerschmidt and John Ricker, America: The story of immigration by Dr. Nan Li, Foreign Language Department, The American Cosmopolitan by John Schwetman, Associate Professor English Department, Changing Awareness of Diversity One Card Game at a Time by Dr. Joan Kwako, Education Department, Faces of Earth: Cultural Portraits by Alison Aune, Fatih Benzer & Joellyn Rock, Art Department, What is America? What does that mean to me? Freedom of Thinking by Jiyoon Yoon, Associate Professor, Education Department, Homeless in America by Steve O'Neil and
Cherize Payton, La Frontera: Walls, Rights and the State in a Post 9/11 Era by Susana Pelayo Woodward
2012-2013 Chris Davila appointed chair of the Diversity Commission Programs: UMD Summit on Equity Diversity and Multiculturalism, Keynote Presentation by Dr. Nancy “Rusty” Barcelo, President, Northern New Mexico College was entitled: Diversity: Why? and what’s in it for me?, Feature Panel
Presentation “Who’s Hiring Who? The Culturally Competent Workforce” What’s Racist about this? Forum ONE, Campus Forum TWO: Taking a Step Forward: A Personal Call to Action
2013-2014 Chris Davila appointed chair of the Diversity Commission. Programs: UMD Summit on Equity Diversity and Multiculturalism, Keynote Presentation by Angela Davis
2014-2015 Chris Davila appointed chair of the Diversity Commission Programs: UMD Summit on Equity Diversity and Multiculturalism, Keynote Presentation by Roxana Saberi
2015-2016 Mailee Vue and Julie Kim appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race and Ethnicity (CERE). This year the name was changed to CERE. 2016 UMD Summit on Equity, Diversity, and Multiculturalism: Connecting Through Dialogue , Keynote Presentation Rosa Clemente. Mission: The Commission on Equity Race & Ethnicity (CERE) works to create an equitable campus community for people of all racial, ethnic, and intersecting identities through education and institutional change.
2016-2017 Mailee Vue and Julie Kim appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race and Ethnicity (CERE). Programs: CERE Open House 2017 UMD Summit on Equity, Diversity, and Multiculturalism: Creating Change, Keynote Presentation by Debby Irving
2017-2018 Katie Stainbrook and Mia O'Brien appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. Programs: 2018 Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity: Creating Inclusive Communities, Keynote Presentation by Lee Mun Wah; prior to the Summit, also held screenings of Lee Mun Wah's two films, The Color of Fear and If These Halls Could Talk.
2018-2019 Mia O'Brien and Daisy Wallace appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. Programs: 2019 Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity: Justice and Equity for All?, Keynote Presentation by Janaya Khan was rescheduled as a separate event, and CERE members took turns hosting a variety of Reading Circles throughout the academic year.
2019-2020 Daisy Wallace & Sean Bedard-Parker appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. Programs: 2020 Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity—Shifting Narratives: Power, Identity and Place, Keynote Presentation by Dr. Kate Beane - “This is Dakota Land: the Reclamation of Public Spaces and Indigenizing Narratives in Mni Sota Makoce”, and a screening of Kate Beane's documentary, Ohiyesa.
2020-2021 Carol Wallace & Sean Bedard-Parker appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity.
2021-2022 Carol Wallace & Njoki Kamau appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. Programs: 2022 Summit on Equity, Race, & Ethnicity - The Power of Storytelling: Building Trust, Celebrating Humanity.
2022-2023 Carol Wallace & Christine Lovejoy appointed co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. Co-sponsored "Breaking Trail" event featuring Emily Ford, hosted a brown bag session on "Decolonizing is for Everyone" with UMD faculty Dr. Joseph Bauerkemper and Dr. Kathryn Milun. 2023 Summit - Decolonizing Our Institutions and Communities: Tales and Tools for Systemic Change.