By Bill Crockett

Issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) continue to challenge leaders and professionals in collegiate recreation and higher education. Half-way into this decade, these challenges will grow and evolve; consequently, our Association continues to grow and evolve. Now is an opportune time for our members to consider their EDI landscape while evaluating their path forward professionally and personally.

NIRSA started the work of developing and implementing a new comprehensive strategy at our 2012 Annual Conference in Tampa. The NIRSA Board adopted six strategic values and authorized the creation of five commissions to align these values with NIRSA’s strategic plan. The intent was to create a critical lens through which NIRSA volunteer leaders and members—as well as NIRSA Headquarters—could align their work with the profession and the Association. This was a significant milestone for our Association in completing the transition of its governance model. The newly articulated values also provided a critical lens for NIRSA’s strategic plan, which was in the process of being crafted.

Following the 2012 Annual Conference, the EDI Commission was constituted with Co-Chairs Jocelyn Hill of American University and Tamara Jarrett of CORE Unlimited at the helm. The Commission’s initiative was set on developing a framework for our leadership and membership to start the process of understanding the EDI landscape, creating alignment with the strategic plan, developing touch points, and positioning the Association within that framework. The commissioners embarked on the following work:

  • Establishment of an EDI Statement
  • Exploration of the intersection of EDI with the other five strategic values
  • Establishing work teams and strategic commission documents
  • Creating the EDI Resource Library in the EDI Community of Practice around Policies, Research, Presentations, Operations, and Job Postings;
  • Reviewing and participating in cross-association collaboration
  • Attending, reporting, and presenting at various regional and national workshops, institutes, and conferences

This was only the beginning. That work would lead to further data gathering, assessment, engagement, and action. At the 2013 & 2014 Annual Conferences and over the last 24 months, the Commission surveyed the climate of EDI through town halls, surveys, intra-Association networking, and various educational opportunities. Areas of focus materialized in 2013 and 2014, including the role of social justice in higher education and an increased openness of identification. These efforts helped shape and articulate a vision to be embraced by NIRSA leadership. Outcomes started to emerge—and this past January, the Commission was part of a team that helped NIRSA develop and adopt a new policy for transgender athlete participation in all NIRSA Championship Series events.

With the assistance of Commission members engaging in cross-association collaboration, NIRSA was officially named a member of the NIKE LGBT Sports Coalition in 2014. Commissioners actively took part in the Social Justice Summit this past December and will again in 2015. The Commission provided and will continue to provide recommendations to the NIRSA Education Task Force on developing competencies around EDI for our profession and our members. The Commission also provided input on the “Dear Colleague Letter” on ADA Compliance. This is just the beginning of NIRSA showing leadership by moving our values forward—with foremost emphasis on the fact that inclusive sport and recreation for all is an important value to be championed. And the work continues.

The Commission recognizes that promoting social justice and diversity in all Association activities and across the profession means confronting issues related—but not limited to—race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, social economic class, religion, and professional status. For 2015, the Commission identified three domains as focus areas to coordinate educational resources and promote opportunities for professional development among NIRSA members: gender equity, adaptive and inclusive recreation, and the concept of privilege. Work in other areas of EDI is ongoing and Commissioners are always open to hearing from you about challenges you are facing or successes you’ve achieved on your campus. The Commission’s framework and values are best articulated through the growth in EDI resources curated, engagement with the membership, advocacy for policy changes, and educational opportunities offered by the Association.

Moving forward, NIRSA must strengthen our strategic value of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the Association and in our volunteer leadership. How can the Association—both its leadership and membership—“Move Our Values Forward by Leading with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion?” The answer is three-fold:

Leadership at all levels must

  • invest time and resources to ensure the efforts continue to move forward;
  • keep EDI issues on the table at all levels of the Association;
  • evolve and change the culture and attitudes within the Association by implementing actions that support the EDI value statements; and
  • be selfless leaders.

The Commission must facilitate this by

  • engaging in comprehensive assessment and planning of the EDI actions and of the current landscape;
  • taking the lead in engaging our membership through solicitations and submissions of presentation proposals for educational sessions;
  • working collaboratively with the other strategic value commissions on identifying and leveraging the intersections; and
  • supporting productive dialogue for personal and professional learning throughout the organization.

It will only be successful if our members embed EDI by

  • making a commitment to personal learning (and change) regarding EDI;
  • continuing to develop the professional competencies related to EDI as defined through our registry;
  • attending EDI-related and focused educational sessions at conferences, institutes, and workshops;
  • joining the EDI Community of Practice in NIRSA Connect;
  • assisting the Commission in mapping the EDI landscape through participation in EDI town halls, focus groups, and surveys; and
  • engaging all levels of NIRSA leadership in matters related to EDI.

The 2015 Annual Conference is almost upon us. As part of the outstanding lineup of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion events planned, the Commission will be facilitating its third consecutive town hall and conducting the interactive educational session “Walking the Line of Privilege.” There are also still a few spaces available for a unique opportunity to attend a full-day preconference workshop “Engaging Social Justice: From Awareness to Action,” which will introduce participants to the foundations of a five-day institute based on achieving greater inclusion on campus and in society.

For those attending NIRSA 2015, we hope you will take advantage of the 23 hours of EDI educational opportunities spread across 14 sessions. For those who cannot attend, please check the 2015 Annual Conference and the EDI sections in NIRSA Connect later to see what has been added.

With the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Conference, the Commission will start the process of transitioning to a new cadre of commissioners and leadership. As I conclude my tenure on the Commission, I want to send my heartfelt appreciation to Tamara and Jocelyn for their leadership. Their vision, passion, and dedication guided and focused this commission in the process of moving our EDI values forward and shaping the path ahead for the next team. I also want to recognize Simon Bravo for his work the past two and half years. As the commissioner representing NIRSA Headquarters, Simon facilitated and coordinated our various meetings and communications both effectively and efficiently.

Jocelyn Hill at American University and Racheal Finley at York College of Pennsylvania join me in stepping off the Commission this year. Below is the roster of new and returning commissioners:

  • Co-Chair Tamara Jarrett, CORE Unlimited
  • Co-Chair Wendy Motch, UCLA
  • Simon Bravo, NIRSA Headquarters
  • Triniece Durst, University of California Berkeley
  • Michael Giles, Jr., Iowa State University
  • Luda Gogolushko, INCLUDAS
  • Stephanne Musser, The Ohio State University
  • Andrea Sneed, University of Central Florida
  • James Wilkening, University of Central Florida

Given recent headlines around EDI in higher education—as well as in society—it is more imperative than ever that we as an Association continue to move our values forward. Our work is just getting going. As we look forward, our work will continue to be guided by the NIRSA Board-adopted EDI statement: “NIRSA celebrates equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We embrace these pillars of excellence as crucial to healthy people and healthy communities.”

Stay engaged.

 

Bill Crockett, RCRSP is the Executive Director of Campus Life Services and the Campus Center for the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He is concluding his term as a member of the NIRSA’s Strategic Values Commission for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and will take up the role of NIRSA President Elect in the first of his three year appointment to the Association’s Board of Directors.