Graduate Studies Office Develops Inclusion Plan for 2010 - 11

The Office of Graduate Studies is currently in the process of developing an Inclusion Plan for the unit to reflect and promote the goals set forth by the Inclusion and Equity Division. The focus areas of Graduate Studies Inclusion Plan will be internal staff development, outreach to student groups such as GPSA, and support for GVSU programs and departments through Special Project Graduate Assistantships, the Graduate Dean’s Citations for Academic Excellence, the Graduate Student Guidebook, and upcoming Graduate Director’s Handbook.

The primary goals for Graduate Studies are to have 100% of staff members attend Inclusion Advocates Orientation by the end of the 2010-2011 academic year and to have an Inclusion Advocate available for all Graduate Studies search committees. Staff members are also encouraged to participate in other cultural competency events, both on and off campus. The new Inclusion Plan allows for flexible work schedules for staff members who choose to participate in these types of activities.

The Office of Graduate Studies will continue to work closely with the Graduate and Professional Student Association to assist with issues relating to inclusion, equity, diversity, and student development. A mentorship program has been proposed through the new PACES initiative to foster engagements and minimize marginalization in the GVSU graduate student culture. A primary goal of PACES is to develop a cohesive graduate student community and assist GPSA with obtaining a Graduate Student Organization Center.

At the end of the Fall and Winter semesters, the Dean of Graduate Studies recognizes outstanding graduate students with the Graduate Dean’s Citations for Academic Excellence. Interim Graduate Dean John Stevenson has proposed the addition of an Award of Excellence that will recognize exceptional students who have put forth significant time, effort, and enthusiasm towards forwarding the University’s inclusion and equity goals, or have made a significant impact on the University community in that area.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Office of Graduate Studies awarded a Special Projects Graduate Assistantship to the newly formed LGBT Resource Center. Dean Stevenson has proposed reserving at least one of these Graduate Assistantships each year for special projects relating to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

“By making this resource available, the Office of Graduate Studies hopes to further the goals set forth by the Inclusion & Equity Office. Our office is energized by the work coming out of the new LGBT Resource Center and it is my hope that we can continue to support such worthy initiatives,” stated Dean Stevenson.

“We also want the publications leaving our office, such as the Graduate Student Guidebook and Graduate Director’s Handbook, to reflect the inclusive and diverse culture of GVSU. It is our goal to provide information for both graduate students and faculty to use as a reference guide on all topics related to graduate studies. Both of these publications will be updated and available to students and faculty by Fall 2010.”

The Office of Graduate Studies will also designate an inclusion liaison for the unit, which will be a rotating position in which a staff member will assume responsibility for making the department aware of inclusion issues, training, and events on campus. This person will also serve as the primary communication point with the Inclusion and Equity Division should issues arise within the department.

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