About

Representing both governance bodies and interest groups, the Equity Task Force facilitates communications between Executive Staff and the campus community on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The communications are intended to be two-way, providing a sounding-board for Executive Staff’s deliberations and a conduit for questions, suggestions, and concerns that Executive Staff might consider. For example, based on prior discussions, items that Executive Staff might refer to the task force include a campus climate survey, ethnic studies curriculum expansion, and staff/faculty recruitment and retention.

Moving forward, we are looking closer at our original charge to come up with a more focused mission.  We gathered information to help us in that goal during opening week at the Faculty and Staff of Color and Allies Reception.  We are using those responses along with other feedback we have received to help guide us in defining our mission and goals.  We take seriously the concerns of our campus community and appreciate the notes we have received.

Since the formation of the Equity Task Force, we have discussed our current understanding of the campus climate, asked for feedback from the campus during the Faculty and Staff of Color and Allies reception, looked into properly assessing campus climate through an official campus survey, and met with representatives from the Opening Week/PDD committee.  We have recently made a recommendation of using the Culturally Engaging Campus Environmental Model (CECE) as a campus climate survey to be used by Highline College.

History

In December 2016, Jack Bermingham announced plans to form a “cross-constituent task force with interest groups and the governance entities”. That plan eventually turned into the Equity Task Force being formed mid-April 2017 and first convening in May of 2017.

Representation

Members are drawn from the members of the following constituencies:

• Equity, Diversity and Transformation: Rickitia Reid (co-chair)
• LGBTQIA Task Force: Natalie Bjorge (co-chair)
• Accessibility Resources: Julie Pollard
• Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence (ex officio): Edwina Fui
• Faculty and Staff of Color Group (Faculty): E.T. Elwin
• Faculty Senate: George Lopez
• HCEA: Patricia McDonald
• Instruction Cabinet: Eric Baer
• Institutional Advancement: Tanisha Williams
• Student Services: Loyal Allen Jr.
• WPEA: Gum-Lai Ross
• Administrative Services: None
• Faculty and Staff of Color Group (Staff): None