Actions Against Bias

University Policies and Procedures

Professional Staff Hiring:  The Division of Student Affairs is committed to a hiring process that seeks to recruit and hire a talented and diverse pool of candidates for positions at all levels of the Division and in all departments.  

New Staff Orientation Program: The New Staff Orientation is a one day program welcoming new staff in the Division of Student Affairs.  The program consists of sessions focused on history: the life of St. Ignatius, history of Jesuit education, and history of Fordham University.  There are also sessions about the structure of the division, our mission statement, and expectations.  In addition, the program includes bias crime reporting and response training for all new staff and we also conduct annual refresher bias response training for all staff in September. New Staff Orientation occurs two per year depending on the number of new staff hired during the course of the year.  

Divisional Staff Training: Student Affairs requires all full-time and part-time staff to participate in a Divisional Training Day each semester.  The topics for the training days vary, but are focused on issues related to our students and how staff in the Division of Student Affairs can best serve students. Diversity and inclusion has been the main topic for numerous mandatory Divisional Staff Training Days. Some of those topics have included:  

• Let’s Talk About It: Educating for Racial Justice (all staff completed implicit association tests)
• Jesuit Mission and Commitment to Anti-Racism
• Universal Design: Intersections of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Disability and Accessibility
• The Complexity of Gender in Higher Education: Building a Mission Centered Approach to Understanding Ourselves and Supporting Students

Undergraduate Staff Hiring: After intentional recruiting efforts over the past four years, the number of students of color within the Resident Assistant and Resident First Year Mentor staff has increased. 

At Rose Hill, the percentage of RAs who identify as people of color has increased from 46% in 2020-2021 to 58% in 2023-2024, a 12% increase.  

At Lincoln Center, the percentage of RAs who identify as people of color has increased from 59% in 2020-2021 to 78% in 2023-2024, a 19% increase. 

2023-2024, 96 RAs were hired, 1 still to be hired

19 Asian/Pacific Islander (19.8%)

12 Black/African American (12.5%)

19 Hispanic/Latine (19.8%)

40 White (41.7%)

6 Two or more races (6.3%)

56 were POC (58.4 %) and 40 were White (41.7%)

2022-2023, 97 RAs were hired

18 Asian/Pacific Islander (18.6%)

9 Black/African American (9.3%)

14 Hispanic/Latine (14.4%)

44 White (45.4%)

12 Two or more races (12.3%)

53 were POC (54.6%) and 44 were White (45.4%)

2021 -2022, 95 RAs were hired

7 Asian/Pacific Islander (7.4%)

14 Black/African American (14.7%)

5 Hispanic/Latine (5.3%)

46 White (48.4%)

23 Two or more races (24.2%)

49 were POC (51.6%) and 46 were White (48.4%)

2020 -2021, 97 RAs were hired

6 Asian/Pacific Islander (6.2%)

8 Black/African American (8.2%)

9 Hispanic/Latine (9.3%)

52 White (53.6%)

22 Two or more races (22.7%)

45 were POC (46.4%) and 52 were White (53.6%) 

2023-2024, 41 RA/RFMs were hired. Racial identity breakdown is as follows: 

11 Asian/Pacific Islander (27%)

7 Black/African American (17%)

4 Hispanic/Latine (10%)

9 White (22%)

10 Two or more races (14%)

32 are POC (78%) and 9 are White (22%)

2022-2023, 41 RA/RFMs were hired. Racial identity breakdown is as follows: 

9 Asian/Pacific Islander(22%)

9 Black/African American (22%), 

5 Hispanic/Latine (12%)

10 White (24%)

8 Two or more races (20%)

31 were POC (76%) and 10 were White (24%)

In 2021-2022, 40 RA/RFMs were hired. Racial identity breakdown is as follows: 

11 Asian/Pacific Islander (28%)

8 Black/African American (20%)

2 Hispanic/Latine (5%)

11 White (28%) 

8 Two or more races (20%)

29 were POC (72%) and 11 were White (28%)

In 2020-2021, 37 RA/RFMs were hired. Racial identity breakdown is as follows: 

7 Asian/Pacific Islander (19%)

7 Black/African American (19%) 

3 Hispanic/Latine (8%)

15 White (40%) 

5 Two or more races (14%)

22 were POC (59%) and 15 were White (41%)

Civility and Community Core Programming Session (required for all new undergraduate students): In August 2014, a required core program was developed for all new freshmen centered on the concept of civility grounded in the Jesuit principles of cura personalis and men and women for others. The program is designed to include elements of Ignatian pedagogy of context, experience, reflection, action and evaluation.  The 2020-2021 iterations of the program expanded on concepts connected to Anti-Racism, implicit bias, and systemic racism. The program includes interactive activities and a video conveying a unified campus message about civility, community, expectations and resources. 

Diversity Assessment in Student Affairs Department Assessment Presentations:  All departments in Student Affairs are required to include assessment metrics related to diversity programs and initiatives in the annual Department Assessment Presentations that take place each June. Divisional Planning Days with all Deans and Directors in Student Affairs have included components of the day dedicated to sharing and discussing department Anti-Racist action plans/initiatives.

Training and Workshops: The department facilitates diversity training and workshops with a number of student leaders and a growing number of administrators at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center every academic year averaging anywhere between 600 - 800+ students. Many of the training sessions occur in August before the academic year starts, however, many other requests come in during the year. Students learn about the department as a resource, participate in interactive activities, engage in DEI topics/conversations, and ultimately explore how these concepts apply to their specific student leader roles. Some student groups include: Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, Commuter Assistants/Freshman Mentors, Ram Van Drivers, and Rose Hill/Lincoln Center Ambassadors (tour guides). 

Racial Solidarity Network: (five-hour workshop) This program provides the Fordham community (students, faculty and staff) an opportunity to increase empathy, awareness, and understanding around the complexities related to race and the unique lived experiences people share as racial and ethnic beings. A pilot of the program ran during Spring 2017.  The program officially launched in Fall of 2017 and is offered every November (one day format) and February (two day format).

LGBTQ and Ally Network of Support: (five-hour workshop) This program promotes an understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students that is rooted in the Jesuit tenet of Cura Personalis and the principle that all persons should be treated with dignity and respect, which is explicit in Catholic teaching. The program is open to the entire Fordham community (students, faculty and staff). One training session takes place on each campus during both the fall and spring semesters. This program is offered every October (two day format) and March/April (one day format)..

Diverse Student Engagement - Cultural Club Advising: OMA serves as the formal club advisor to seven (7) cultural clubs at Lincoln Center and eight (8) at Rose Hill. In this capacity, OMA staff meet with club leaders on a regular basis throughout the academic year to provide guidance and support in a variety of ways. These clubs include: 

Lincoln Center:

Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) 
Black Student Alliance (BSA)
Caribbean Students Club (CSC)
Desi C.H.A.I. (South Asian)
Empire Dance Club
PRISM (LGBTQ)
Student Organization of Latines (SOL)

Rose Hill:

Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE)
Asili:The Black Student Alliance 
Caribbean and African Student Association (CASA)
Curl Talk
El Grito De Lares
Fordham University Philippine American Club (FUPAC)
Fordham University South Asian Entity (FUSE)
Pride Alliance

As a note: While OMA does not have the capacity to serve as the formal advisor for every cultural club, any club is open to working with and being supported by the department.  

Cultural Committees and Cultural Programming/Initiatives: Direct undergraduate student leadership opportunities with OMA come through the form of cultural committees. The office oversees six (6) committees that span both RH and LC focused on the following identities: Latine Heritage, LGBTQ History, Middle Eastern and North African, Black Heritage, Women’s Herstory, and Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage. The committees plan programs and events during their designated months in addition to ongoing initiatives throughout the year.

The committee structure varies on committee size, however the following roles are consistent across the six:

Cultural Programming Coordinator (CPC): These students work directly with the OMA graduate interns and serve as the co-chairs for each of the committees. There is a range of 2-4 CPCs per committee making the total range 12-24 split between RH and LC.. 

Committee Member: These students serve as general committee members to assist the CPCs with events and initiatives. Depending on the size of the individual committees, there may also be additional sub-committee roles like finance, social media, visual arts, etc. 

Diversity Graduation Celebrations: In collaboration with the President’s Office, the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, and Senior Week committees at RH and LC, OMA has been able to institutionalize four (4) identity based graduation celebrations for Asian, Black, Latine, and LGBTQ seniors. Spring 2021 will mark the first year these programs were offered to the undergraduate student population in this way. While there have been some similar events for Black and LGBTQ students during spring 2019, these iterations comprise student committees for each graduation celebration and communication with the senior class is done through Senior Week channels and the website. 

Additional Diversity Collaborations
Ongoing:

DEI Admission Panels and Virtual Panels: Campus based spring student panels for admitted students of color and LGBTQ students. Partnership with Office of Admission
Global Transitions: Diversity workshop with incoming international students (started fall 2015).

Collaboration Completed, program now being ran by respective departments
PRISM LGBTQ Retreat: Collaboration with Campus Ministry.
Alumni Relations: Assistance with the formation of Rainbow Rams (LGBTQ Alumni affinity group) and the reformation of the Alumni of Color group - MOSIAC. 

Orientation Leader (OL) Training on Diversity: 6.5 of approximately 45 total training hours.

In collaboration with the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), the Orientation Coordinators implemented new diversity initiatives into OL Training. Three new sessions were Implicit Bias Test and Anti-Racism conversations, Captain Training, and OMA Part III. Counseling and Psychological Services assists in joint training for OLs in facilitating freshman small group conversations on the challenging topics of diversity and inclusion, sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination covered in the Every Student Has a Voice Session.

Orientation Sessions for First Year Students Related to Diversity: 8.5 hours of approximately 21 hours

Candle Lighting Opening Ceremony (1 hour): since Fall 2012 this now-traditional opening to Orientation has focused on the core Jesuit Catholic and Mission-related values of respect for difference, civility, and inclusion in the Fordham student community.

Dean of Students’ Welcome (30 minutes: at Summer, Fall, and Transfer/January Orientations): covers the Jesuit educational tenets, the Missions of the University and Student Affairs, and community standards including the core expectation that Fordham students respect the dignity of all others in the community, including those who are different from them.

OMA Resources Video (10 min): The Office of Multicultural Affairs shares a video introducing departmental resources, all of the staff, student cultural programming coordinators from each of the six committees and invites students to follow OMA on instagram. 

12 Steps Toward Accepting Diversity with Mohammed Bilal (1 hour): “Former MTV Real World star and diversity consultant Mohammed Bilal has helped thousands of people move beyond the mere tolerance of difference. His “12 Steps Toward Accepting Diversity” is a fun, interactive presentation sprinkled with scholarship, hip-hop, and self-reflective narratives that equip the participant with easy, valuable, and powerful tools for appreciating the wondrous diversity around us.” 

Every Student Has a Voice (2 hours): “Join your orientation groups to explore and discuss various issues that may face you or a friend in your time at Fordham. Learn about how to make your time at Fordham a safe and enjoyable one.” Monologues performed by Orientation Leaders dramatizing real world case studies and covering issues related to diversity, sexual misconduct, sexual identity and discrimination. 

Hot Topics: Healthy Relationships (1 hour): mandatory Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education training session covering gender discrimination. “New relationships are going to be an important part of your transition to college. How will you make healthy, responsible choices and avoid high risk behavior in social settings and in meeting new people? This interactive, inclusive and realistic session with guest presenters Marshall Miller and Dorian Solot begins the conversation. Get practical advice to make sure your relationships are based on safety, respect and responsible decision making.” 

Dean of Students’ LGBTQ and Ally Reception (2 hours): a 15 year partnership with the campus LGBTQ+ student organization, PRIDE Alliance, this session invites incoming students to connect with other students, administrators, and resources at the University.

Multicultural Affairs and First Generation Network Reception (1 hour): hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, First-Generation Network, Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and the Gabelli School of Business at RH and LC. This session invites all new students and their families to meet with other new students and learn about cultural, LGBTQ, and first-generation college student resources while connecting with other Fordham community members.  

First Year Formation Diversity Modules: Fordham University’s First Year Experience is a course coordinated with the academic schedule and designed to help students connect socially, promote the University’s distinct Jesuit mission,  enhance academic success and co-curricular engagement, and celebrate Fordham’s central values of inclusion and care for others. As the Jesuit University of New York, our mantra has been “New York is my campus, Fordham is my school” and the course also seeks to encourage students to explore and experience New York City through discussion and excursions.   Updated and expanded DEI-focused modules implemented last year assist students in understanding bias and hate crime incidents as well as the process and importance of reporting, engages students in active discussion with instructors and peers, and assists students in developing critical inclusion and civility competencies.The “Mental Health” module helps students understand normal brain function, , mental health and mental illness, and Fordham resources and support systems.  A module on inclusion assists students in understanding their important role  in a multifaceted community and associated rights and responsibilities. In various modules, students  also explore the rich history and diversity of the Bronx community as well social justice concepts critical in Jesuit Catholic mission worldwide. Curriculum review occurred this summer to reflect the needs of student adjustment. Further curriculum review is still in progress as OSI has connected with Multicultural Affairs about enhancing the Diversity and Inclusion modules.

Orientation Leader (OL) Training on Diversity: 4.25 hours of approximately 32.5 total training hours of diversity and inclusion training.  

Captain Training (1 hour): Office of Multicultural Affairs training: OMA staff explained and facilitated the activities that both OLs and New Students will participate in during training and orientation. Additionally, Captains were taught how to facilitate the exercises to OLs.

Orientation Leader OMA Training (2.75 hours): Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session about diversity and inclusion training.  The Orientation Coordinators and Student Involvement office staff leads a training for OLs in facilitating new student small group conversations on the challenging topics of diversity and inclusion, implicit bias, anti-racism, sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination covered in the Real Talk Session. 

Orientation Sessions for First-Year Students Related to Diversity: 3.5 hours (of a total of approximately 18 hours)

OMA Resources Video (10 min): The Office of Multicultural Affairs shares a video introducing departmental resources, all of the staff, student cultural programming coordinators from each of the six committees and invites students to follow OMA on instagram. 

12 Steps Toward Accepting Diversity with Mohammed Bilal (1 hour): “Former MTV Real World star and diversity consultant, Mohammed Bilal, has helped thousands of people move beyond the sheer tolerance of difference. His “12 Steps Toward Accepting Diversity” is a fun, interactive presentation sprinkled with scholarship, hip-hop, and self-reflective narratives that equip the participant with easy, valuable, and powerful tools for appreciating the wondrous diversity around us.” 

Real Talk (1.5 hours): A workshop facilitated by orientation leaders where a number of activities and conversations are held for new students related back to topics of diversity and inclusion. 

Multicultural Affairs and First Generation Network Reception (1.5 hours): hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, First-Generation Network, Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and the Gabelli School of Business at RH and LC. This session invites all new students and their families to meet with other new students and learn about cultural, LGBTQ, and first-generation college student resources while connecting with other Fordham community members.  

LGBTQ Mixer (1.5 hours): in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the campus LGBTQ student organization, Prism, this event happens the same week as orientation, but serves as an extension of New Student Orientation.  

First Year Formation: while multiple elements of the course syllabus (called modules) touch on diversity, inclusion and civility, four sections are the main focus.  These modules are options for the instructors to utilize with the students.  Note: First Year Formation was not held in Fall 2020 but will return in Fall 2021 at Lincoln Center.

Being Part of the Fordham Community Module: Students explore what it means to be part of a large and multi-faceted community and they establish that membership in a community comes with rights and responsibilities that come with membership. Students examine a number of concepts led by the instructors and student assistantsIntroduction to Social Justice Module: Students explore the connection between the University’s mission, social justice, and community service. They learn about the resources on campus designed to immerse students in Living The Mission - such as CCEL and Global Outreach.

Leadership in a Global Society Module: Students are introduced to the concepts of social and personal identity, and begin to explore their own identities.  They are given the opportunity to  explore the meaning and value of diversity, and its relevance to their undergraduate experience here at Fordham and as global citizens. Students begin to expand the ways in which they think about difference, inclusion, and respect for the perspectives of others.  

Values and Ethics Module: Students construct their own understandings of values and ethics and create connections between their values and ethical decision-making skills. Students will be able to recognize the impact of values and ethics as a community.

First Year Formation Diversity Modules: information included above under New Student Orientation

Contact Person: Contact Person: Catharine McGlade, Leigh Weber

United Student Government, Campus Programming Board, Commuter Students Association, Residence Halls Association Diversity Month: the month of November is devoted to student-led programming on diversity, civility, and inclusion, a collaboration between advisers in Student Involvement and Residential Life, Campus Activities Board, Residence Halls Association, Commuting Students Association, and the United Student Government. These four organizations came together throughout the 2017-2018 school year for an initiative called “The Year of Fordham Voices.” Each organization brought this to life through a number of different programs and initiatives. This included a launch week in October in which each organization hosted events that celebrated different components of diversity.  

Rose Hill Fordham University Emerging Leaders Program (FUEL): traditionally, a semester-long program meeting one hour per week to conduct leadership skills training and discussion has been offered.  FUEL consists of workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities and is marketed to sophomores and juniors. 

Due to staff changes, this semester’s program format and sessions were placed on hold until staff was hired.

A FUEL Summer Institute was offered on July 11th, 2023 to offer a range of sessions for experienced leaders to complete the FUEL program. Approximately 75 students were contacted by the new Assistant Director for Leadership Student Services, Kayla Velez. Approximately 20 students signed up for options of sessions that included leadership topics centering on career readiness, wellbeing and effectively working with the administration. Students were asked to choose two of three topics and were notified that a short written assignment was required to receive a completion certificate. Continued plans are underway to work with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to offer FUEL credit towards a certificate for students who participate in OMA’s Network programs.

Rose Hill Student Organizations: 27 student organizations supported by the Office for Student Involvement in partnership with the United Student Government have diversity and inclusion as a substantive part of their mission. Some of these organizations are the most active on campus. Through their activities, Rose Hill is immersed in a variety of events, both large and small scale. Examples include academic club-organized mentoring and tutoring events, support to cultural clubs hosting documentary nights with discussion, celebratory nights commemorating holidays, educational excursions, and invitations to speakers. ‘USG Diversity Action committee during the 2022-2023 academic year USG DAC was actively engaged in proposal writing and event planning processes. Highlights include: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, MENA Proposal and Bronx Appreciation Week’

Albanian Club

Arabic Club

Armenian Society at Fordham

ASCEND: Pan-Asian Leaders

Asian Cultural Exchange

ASILI: The Black Student Alliance

Association of Latino Professionals For America

Balkan Student Association

Bengali Student Association

Candela Latina

Caribbean and African Student Association
El Grito de Lares

Fordham Falak

Fordham University Philippine American Club (FUPAC)

Fordham University South Asian Entity (FUSE)

Gaelic Society

Hellenic Society

Insieme Italian Cultural Society

Jewish Student Organization

Korean Students Association

Middle Eastern Student Association

Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students

Muslim Students Association

Pakistani Students Association

Polish Cultural Exchange

PRIDE Alliance

Secular Student Association

Sláinte: Fordham Irish Dance

Ukrainian Society

Vietnamese Student Association

Rose Hill Commuter Assistant Staff Diversity-Related Training: 2.5 hours out of 24 hours total

Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session: 1.5 hour session including self awareness training and exploration of the intersections of student gender, racial, sexual and other identities in various contexts relevant to the CA position. This year, students participated in an implicit bias test prior to the training and engaged in dialogue about implicit bias, anti-racism and systemic racism during the training. A short written reflection was incorporated towards the end of the session,

Campus Security Authority/Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: 1.5 hour training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering staff role in addressing gender discrimination.

First Year Formation Diversity Modules: information included above under New Student Orientation.

BIPOC New Student Mixer: Since Fall 2015, at the beginning of each semester, the Office for Student Involvement with support from the Office of Multicultural Affairs works with cultural clubs to host a dinner to which all new students of color are specifically invited to meet upperclass students of color. All new students are encouraged to attend, but special invitations are sent based on the ethnicity students indicated on their application to the university.  The upperclass students talk informally over dinner about getting involved with clubs and other resources they found helpful on campus as a student of color on a predominately white campus..

Fordham Advocates Cultural Enrichment (FACE): The Office for Student Involvement and the Office of Multicultural Affairs jointly sponsors a program that focuses on diversity and multiculturalism, typically in March.

Lincoln Center Fordham University Emerging Leaders Program (FUEL): a semester-long program meeting one hour per week to conduct leadership skills training and discussion.  FUEL consists of workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities and is marketed to all undergraduate students, with a focus on first year and second year students. After a hiatus because of the pandemic, 20 students completed the FUEL program in Spring 2023. 

Lincoln Center Student Organizations: 29 student organizations supported by the Office for Student Involvement in partnership with United Student Government have diversity, inclusion, cultural awareness, service and social justice as a substantive part of their mission. Through their activities, Lincoln Center  is immersed in a variety of events, both large and small scale. Examples include celebratory nights commemorating holidays, educational excursions to events and sites throughout NYC, and forums and discussions on campus. The list of the clubs at the end of Spring 2023 are the following: 

Active Minds

Arabic Club

Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC)

Black Student Association (BSA)

Caribbean Students Club

CIAO Italian Club

Chinese Cultural Society

Desi CHAI

Empire Dance Club

Filipinos of LC Offering Welcome (FLOW)

Hellenic Society

Immigration Advocacy Coalition

Jewish Student Organization (JSO)

Korean Students Association (KSA)

Lighthouse Christian Fellowship

Muslim Students Association (MSA)

Student Organization of Latinx (SOL) 

Anime Appreciation Society

Deaf Education and American Sign Language( DEASL)

Girl Boss: Undergraduate Women in Business

Feminist Alliance

PRISM 

Russian Students Association

Tomodachi

Turkish Students Association

Tae Kwon Do

Vietnamese Students Association

UNICEF

Women in Finance and Economics (WIFE)

Lincoln Center Commuter First-Year Mentor Staff Diversity-Related Training: 3 out of 17.25 hours total

Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session: 1.5 hour session. In this session, CFMs will understand the impact that social identities (including race, class, and first-generation status) have on the freshman commuter experience in order to build relationships with freshman commuter students. CFMs will learn the power of language and how sometimes what you intend to express is not how it is received by others. 

Campus Security Authority/Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: 1.5 hours training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering staff role in addressing gender discrimination.

RH Resident Director Training:

Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session: 1.5 hour session to educate and prepare Resident Directors to train Resident Assistants in this area.

1. Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session: session meant to help staff get to know and identify OMA staff, explain how Residential Life staff can work with OMA to support students, list the programs and resources that OMA offers, train staff on how to program on diversity and on how to have difficult conversations around diversity topics including privilege. Additional content included implicit bias testing and anti-racism content.
   

Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: 4 hour training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering RD staff role in addressing campus gender discrimination.

Rose Hill Resident Assistant Staff Diversity-Related Training: 

Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Training Session (3 hours): session meant to help staff get to know and identify OMA staff, explain how Residential Life staff can work with OMA to support students, list the programs and resources that OMA offers, train staff on how to program on diversity and on how to have difficult conversations around diversity topics including privilege. Additional content included implicit bias testing and anti-racism content.

State of The Bronx Training Session: (1.5 hours) Session meant to inform staff on Bronx resources off campus for them to utilize themselves, refer residents to, and to educate peers about. Discussions on access to healthcare, food insecurity and resources for families introduced. 

In-Hall Training August & January Training: 30 minutes follow up training in each residence hall to follow the main session for the entire staff conducted by OMA/Off campus Partners

Behind Closed Doors (3.5 hours):  includes a scenario about residents telling racist or homophobic jokes in a public setting.  Each scenario lasted 20 minutes and there were 12 scenarios for the new RAs.

Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: 3 hours total training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering RA staff role in addressing campus gender discrimination.

Diversity Programming “Menu" for resident assistants to connect with campus partners for programming efforts to create welcoming communities including programming with the Commuter Assistant staff in Student Involvement, Center for Community Engaged Learning, Office for Multicultural Affairs. 

Bronx Resource for Resident Assistants: shared a resource for the residence halls to "bridge residents to the borough with multiple community activity ideas (restaurants, museums, cultural experiences etc). 

Resident Assistant Staff Diversity-Related Education Programming Requirement: each of 96 Resident Assistants at Rose Hill and 41 Resident Assistants and Resident Freshmen Mentors at Lincoln Center are required to complete at least one diversity education program per semester.

1. Halloween Party (RH): Resident Assistants from 5 different buildings teamed up with Campus Ministry, CCEL and campus partners to have treats, book drives and tables set up for children from the Bronx community to come to campus and enjoy a Halloween party day.

• Non Binary Dialogue (RH): Loyola Students met at the picnic tables on 4/21 to discuss identity, gender norms and educational dialogue. 

• Curl Talk & Belmont Community Housing Present: Love your Hair (RH): BCH staff  collaborated with the club CurlTalk to do a program focusing on hair diversity. As a club, Curl Talk focuses on celebrating and uplifting individuals of all backgrounds and all different hair types. They provide an inclusive space where individuals with all different hair types can learn how to love and care for their natural hair. This was held at the Curl Talk weekly meeting where the residents in attendance were able to learn more about the club and play a game of jeopardy, then everyone went on an excursion to the beauty supply store to give the residents the opportunity to buy some hair products that fit their particular needs.
• Belmont Community Housing Block Party (RH): on 5/3/23, Students held a block party at the Arthur 1 House location and invited all students to enjoy music, games and food trucks from the area to sample as well as highlight the amazing community in the Bronx. 

Passive Programming: (2 hours) Student staff on both campuses have continued Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bulletin Boards. Many have covered Black History Month and highlighted important black figures from the civil rights' movement. Also, staff have discussed environmental racism on their bulletin boards. For March, several floors focused on Women's History Month as well.

LC Resident Director Training:  

Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: (4 hour) training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering RD staff role in addressing campus gender discrimination.

Conduct and Students on the Autism Spectrum (1 hour) Staff watched a webinar to better grasp best methods of how to work with students on the spectrum, specifically how to make conduct more inclusive.

Motivating Our Students Session (1.5 hours)

Staff will better understand how to motivate students in a variety of areas and concepts of stigma and accessing students will be discussed with CPS. 

Residential Life Professional Development Series: 5 meetings throughout the Fall semester to review scholarly journals and discuss topics related to diversity and inclusion on campus. (Total: 5 hours)

Lincoln Center Resident Assistant Staff Diversity-Related Training: 22 hours out of 86 hours total

Meet & Greet w/ Rafael Zapata During August 2022 RA/RFM training, professional staff members facilitated a meet & greet session between student staff members and Fordham's Chief Diversity Officer, Rafael Zapata. Student staff members learned about initiatives put forth by Rafael Zapata and learned how they could incorporate Fordham's overall goals in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion into the work that they do in the Office of Residential Life. All forty-four student staff members participated. Duration: 1 hour

Ethics Session (1 hour): presentation by RD.

Supporting Our Students Session (1.5 hours): CPS presented on supporting students in their mental health with a focus on how to sustain continued follow up with residents after referrals to CPS. There was also a review on CPS services and how to support general mental health of students, especially around those with depression and anxiety. 

Behind Closed Doors Session (7 hours): role play scenarios to practice working with students on counseling concerns, which include scenarios related to diversity and inclusion.  Counseling and Psychological Services staff facilitated the session to prepare the RAs/RFMs before the role plays and RD staff facilitated the role plays and debriefed after their completion.

Case Studies (2 hours) ORL presented six scenarios for staff discussed in breakout rooms. The topics ranged from covid-19 policies, Title IX, mental health, bias/hate speech, and uncomfortable v unsafe. Staff were able to review how they would handle the situation as well as understand the resources available to the student(s).

Session on Programming for Diverse Student Populations (1 hour): presentation by RD.

Campus Assault and Relationship Education Training: 1.5 hour total training on Title IX/Campus Assault and Relationship Education covering RA/RFM staff role in addressing campus gender discrimination.

White Student Racial Caucus - Fourteen (14) Student Staff in Attendance, Duration: 1 hour

BIPOC Student Racial Caucus, Thirty (30) Student Staff in Attendance Duration: 1 hour

Identifying Privilege and How We Can Use It To Navigate Social Issues on Campus, Eighteen (18) Student Staff in Attendance, Duration: 1 hour

All Together Allyship: Supporting LGBTIA+ Students From Outside & Within the Community, Twenty-six (26) Student Staff in Attendance, Duration: 1 hour

Economic Inequality and Its Relationship with Identity, Race, and the Life of a Resident, Twenty-two (22) Student Staff in Attendance, Duration: 1 hour

Bridging the International Student Involvement Gap: Strategies for International Student Engagement and Community Development, Twenty-two (22) Student Staff in Attendance, Duration: 1 Hour

In-service RA/RFM continuing education programs on diversity topics during the fall and winter training: 1.5 hours for fall and spring and 2 hours during January training.

1. The Importance of Inclusive Language - A student staff member led a presentation that covered the impact of inclusive language, best practices, and how student staff members could incorporate those practices into their roles - 44 Student Staff Members in attendance. 2 hours. 

Affinity Groups: 

Soulful Sundays; 12 active participants 

• Sunday, 9/18 6pm via Zoom- Introductions and why students were interested in participating, discussed how it feels to be a black student leader on a predominantly white campus, and how minority faculty and staff support them. 
• Sunday, November 13 at 3pm in person- Who Am I? Everyone discussed their ethnic backgrounds and how it shaped them as of today. Further discussed what would be their legacy as they leave Fordham/what do you want to be remembered for.
• Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00pm in person- Celebrated Black History and discussed how staff celebrate their culture with the residents. In addition, how can they get involved in the Harlem community/community service throughout the academic year.

Werk@Work; 10 active participants

• Werk@Work is an affinity group for Resident Assistant and Resident First-Year Mentor staff who identify as LGBTQIA+. WERK is an acronym outlining the group's core themes: Welcome, Empower, Respect, and Knowledge:
• In November 2022, affinity group members were invited to participate in an LGBTQIA+ career and internship fair held at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in NYC. Two members participated. 
• Spring 2023, WERK held a Sunday Brunch event on Sunday, March 5. Food was provided by Friedman’s in Hell’s Kitchen. Six out of 10 members attended. In addition, WERK members were invited to apply to attend an Out4Undergrad conference slated to take place in October 2023. Out for Undergrad (O4U) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering high-achieving LGBTQ+ undergraduates to reach their full potential.

Resident Assistant and Resident Freshmen Mentor Staff Diversity-Related Education Programming Requirement: each of 97 Resident Assistants at Rose Hill and 41 Resident Assistants and Resident Freshmen Mentors at Lincoln Center are required to complete at least one diversity education program per semester.

1. Reason For The Season- Residents were able to learn about the cultural origins of Halloween-adjacent holidays in order to be more intentional when celebrating. These holidays included Diwali, Hungry Ghost, Day of the Dead, and Irish Halloween traditions. This program centered on the tenet Cura Personalis and through the hands-on learning based activities, residents were able to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Thirteen (13) residents attended. Duration: 1 Hour
2. Lunar New Year Parade & Celebration- The Resident Assistant (RA) and Resident First-Year Mentor (RFM) brought residents to the Lunar New Year Parade and educated them on the history of the parade and the culture behind it. The RA and RFM were able to expose residents to Chinese American owned small businesses and restaurants while also empowering them to explore the city. Seven (7) residents attended. Duration: 2 Hours
3. Tide Dye and Pride- Resident Assistants held an event that began with a presentation from the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). OMA held an open discussion about LGBTQ+ history, its impact on the Fordham Campus and the community around us, Campus resources, about the important symbols/colors and their significance, and how to be an ally. Included in this conversation were topics of how Unity of Heart and Mind plays a role in allyship (13) residents attended. Duration: 1 hour.  
4. Bingo Night: In Hallmark HERstory- Residents participated in a bingo game aimed at educating them on outstanding and impactful women, both past and present. This program centered on the tenet People For & With Others and through the program content, residents gained an appreciation for and understanding of women’s contributions to history. Forty (40) residents attended. Duration: 2 Hours

Passive Programming: 

First-Year Scoop

Each FY Scoop issue we have a DEI focused article. Some articles written by staff are the following: Intersectionality: It's Importance, Misconceptions, & How to Take Action, The Black Arts Movement, Happy Holi: Festival of Colors, New York City's Largest Chinatowns to Gatekeep, Black Joy & Its Importance in Black Culture

RA/RFM passion projects- During bi-monthly small staff meetings, Resident Assistant and Resident First-Year Mentor staff take turns presenting passion projects. These projects provide staff with an opportunity to share something about themselves outside of the day to day responsibilities of the position. 

The Career Center is dedicated to person-centered career development with a strong focus on social justice, equity, and inclusion. We emphasize DEI as a priority when building employer and alumni partnerships, and identifying new opportunities for growth. 

Diversity Training & Education: The Career Center is committed to care for the whole person and the creation of meaningful experiences and connections for all Fordham students. All staff participate in University Diversity Training, Divisional Training Days, Racial Solidarity and LGBTQ Training Sessions, and actively support DEI initiatives campus and community wide. Additional engagement has included PwC’s Inclusive Leadership Event, Veteran Cultural Competence Training, course certification for DEI in Higher Education, and active participation on the Women’s Philanthropy Summit Planning, EACE DEI, and Fordham’s Core Civility Committees. The Career Center also provides professional development with employer and University partners, presents at orientations for student clubs and associations, and has co-sponsored panels on themes including the Back to Basics: Reimaging Practices Panel (Breaking down Racial and Social Injustices at Fordham) with DAUR and the Alumni Affinity Group. 

Global Diversity & Inclusion Networking Banquet: This annual event is designed to provide networking opportunities for all students and employers. A recent banquet theme was: The Beauty of Belonging & Power of Acceptance where students were able to connect with EI professionals to discuss the themes of authentic belonging, positive work environments, and resources to excel in the world of work. Employers had the opportunity to discuss diversity programming and mentoring programs while networking with an increasingly multicultural student population. This event is designed as a unique experience that celebrates Fordham talent and diversity, and provides the opportunity for employers to meet bright, prospective students for their recruiting needs.

Equity & Inclusion Conversations & Employer Programming: The Career Center continues to create opportunities for community, conversations, and career education around EI topics of interest. We have featured themes including Achieving Success in a Marginalized World (Black History Month), Breaking the Glass Ceiling (Women’s History Month), Empathy: The Secret Ingredient, and Navigating Language Barriers in the Workplace. Other panel themes have included Black in Excellence (Black History Month) and Passing the Torch (Women’s History Month). A recent Equity & Inclusion Summit was titled Embracing Change, and provides further opportunities for career conversations with industry experts.

Strategic Partnerships & Student Leadership: The Career Center has ongoing partnerships with FCRH, FCLC, Student Success, and STEM Deans, as well as continued collaborations with HEOP, STEP, C-STEP, and ASPIRES Programs​. We develop and co-sponsor events with a wide array of student groups including the Student Veterans Association, UNICEF Club, Women's Network, Muslim Student Association, Prism, Black Student Alliance, Feminist Alliance, and more. Select EI collaborations have included a LinkedIn Headshots event with ASILI and the FCRH Dean’s Council, the USG Diversity action Coalition, and the Diverse Alumni Mentors Conversation partnership with DUAR. ​

Technologies Promoting Equity & Inclusion: Tools and resources are selected to promote equal access for all Fordham students. Handshake, as a career management platform, features a mission to democratize access for all users, and PeopleGrove, as a mentoring platform, is committed to ensuring that each and every student has access to a community and the connections needed to succeed.

Special Projects & Initiatives: The Career Center has a newly promoted Assistant Director with a focus on equity and inclusion and student engagement, has developed a mission statement, and frequently hosts student and employer focus groups ​on DEI topics to ensure that we are being responsive to student interests and industry trends. We also launched the first-ever Career Pop-Up Closet that enabled us to donate career appropriate clothing to all students for interviews and career events. 285+ DEI employer events have been offered via Handshake since 2020, and​ the Career Center was awarded a Diversity Grant from RSM for its ongoing commitment to DEI initiatives and professional development. 

The Career Center team is consistently working to expand programs, events, services, and resources to increase student engagement opportunities with employers and alumni who are equally committed to DEI values and initiatives. We also continuously strive to develop new programming and community relationships with local Bronx and NYC businesses. These initiatives serve as the keystone for our DEI efforts, where we connect new and long standing University partners with the greater Fordham community. We will continue to increase the quality and quantity of this engagement and to develop innovative approaches to connect students with new networks. The Center will build upon this foundation to create an inclusive environment for the future of work while positioning Fordham as a leader in the industry. 

Personnel

• Coordinator for Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice Initiatives:
  Position created to address the needs of marginalized students with regards to mental health support and programming. 
• Staff Counselor - International Student Specialization
  Permanent full time position created to enhance outreach, prevention and clinical services to international student population

Training and Seminars

• Weekly Multicultural/Diversity Seminar for Postdoctoral Fellows: Weekly seminars on various aspects of diversity and multicultural counseling that are facilitated by internal staff or an outside speaker.
• Didactic Seminars for CPS Interns/Externs:  These seminars take place 3-4 times per semester and focus on the intersections of diversity, multiculturalism, social justice and mental health.
• Ongoing Clinical Supervision and Training for Staff on Diversity and Mental Health: Clinical supervision for staff and trainees that attend to the interplay between inter-group, inter-cultural and intra-psychic dynamics.
• Staff Training on LGBTQ Affirming Treatment

Programs and Initiatives

• Multicultural Suicide Prevention/Awareness Brochures: These brochures were developed to enhance community understanding and awareness of the mental health needs of diverse student groups in order to reduce their suicide risk. Brochures also developed in Spanish and Chinese
• Digital Wellness Newsletters:   Newsletters focusing on diversity and mental health 
• CPS Statement & Resources on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
• Ongoing Support Groups for Historically Marginalized Student Groups (i.e. Black Students, International Students, LGBTQ+ Students, etc.)

Training and Workshops: The Office of Disability Services (ODS) facilitates multiple training workshops with different groups of  student leaders and faculty at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center Campuses every year. The training occurs throughout the year, depending on the need. Each year we train these student groups: Resident Assistants at both campuses, Rose Hill Society Student Life Council, the Fordham football team, Student Veterans’ Orientation, GSAS new student orientation, MSW student resource fair, RH Student Council, and Philosophy Phd  first time student professors. Additionally, ODS presents to the Modern Language Department on an annual basis and has just begun to present at new faculty orientation.

Workshops: The Office of Disability Services participates in various training throughout the year. The staff takes part in multiple webinars.

LGBTQ Staff Training: Ongoing LGBTQ training for entire staff on sexual health presented by the Montefiore Oval Clinic on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and HIV prevention through PREP and PEP.  Staff attends the Bronx Knows Meetings which helps promote awareness of HIV status, HIV education, access to quality care and prevention. 

Monthly UHS Tabling: Monthly tabling events at RH and LC to promote wellness and education on topics including sexual health and prevention of disease and smoking and vaping prevention and education. 

Interpretive Services:  These services are utilized at RH and LC to communicate medical needs to international students whose first language is not English.

Diversity Training for Administrative Staff: All administrative staff members are required to attend both the LGBTQ and Ally Network of Support.  Staff will attend the Racial Solidarity Network training offered by OMA.

Sexual Assault Nurse Training: UHS’ fulltime nursing staff have all completed the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program with the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

UHS Monthly Newsletter- Fordham Target Health: Monthly newsletter on important topics and services that are provided to help educate students on staying healthy.   

Diversity and inclusion are the backbone of the company contracted to provide food and services to customers on the Fordham campus; Aramark.  Their vibrant workforce is essential to their success and our success on campus.  World wide, Aramark employs more than 270,000 unique people in different cultures around the world and each one of their employees is unique.  At Fordham and around the world, Aramark pushes to make sure the workplace is reflective of the diverse nature of the communities and customers it serves.

 On campus, over 270 people are employed in dining services.  The department desires people with different abilities, backgrounds, experiences and orientations to come to Aramark at Fordham and be successful.  The goal is to encourage a culture that appreciates people’s differences and similarities.   

 The diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives are focused around these areas:

• Workforce:  The goal is to hire, retain, and develop people with different backgrounds that reflect the communities that are being served.
• Workplace: The department strives to create a workplace culture that values and leverages differences among people and drives innovation through inclusion.
• Marketplace:  we partner with diverse suppliers and community organizations  so we can deliver culturally relevant products   and services.  
• Training on inclusion of gender-free speech training bi-yearly
• Partnership - Active collaboration with the Office of Multicultural Affairs with events in dining
• Development of an on-campus diversity champion to assist in developing a diverse environment in dining as well as participate in any campus diversity initiatives                                           

We also have a number of resource groups available to our employees, giving them access to like-minded people with similar backgrounds and interests, including:

• Aramark young professionals
• LEAD
• Synergy
• Aramark PRIDE
• Women's Business Resource Network
• Aramark Salute (Veterans)
• Impacto Hispanic Employee Resource Group
• Rising Sun Indigenous Employee Resource Group
• Aramark’s diversity and inclusion efforts have been recognized by many notable organizations like:
• The Human Rights Campaign
• Diversity Inc.
• Black Enterprise Magazine
• CAREERS & the disABLED Magazine
• LATINO Magazine

Diversity Training for Student Staff: Student staff members are required to attend a diversity training session with the Office of Multicultural Affairs that is offered biannually to accommodate staff turnover. The session focuses on issues related to Ram Van drivers and office staff, ranging from communication skills/techniques to appropriate radio choices.

Diversity Training for Administrative Staff: All administrative staff members are required to attend both the LGBTQ and Ally Network of Support and the Racial Solidarity Network training offered by OMA.

Student Leadership Diversity & Inclusion Initiative: Special efforts will be made to recruit and retain student leaders from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, in order to better reflect the broader Ram Van community. University Transportation believes this will drive a stronger sense of inclusion for all students within the department.