DEI Fridays is a practice of community building, reflection, and learning where we aim to improve our campus climate around issues of equity, inclusion, and justice. We also want to equip participants with knowledge and tools to engage in social transformation in their communities beyond Baruch.
The virtual sessions begin with a welcoming, the reading of Community Agreements and a brief grounding exercise to help participants enter the virtual space and set their intentions for the session. Then, there is a presentation of a topic (typically in an interactive interview format), followed by break-out sessions, share-outs, and informal discussion.
Topics address individual biases and prejudices; individual sense of belonging at Baruch and CUNY; and structural and institutional discriminatory policies, procedures and practices.
The series was conceptualized after Marxe School faculty and staff who attended a DEI training in June 2021 and wanted to continue to learn collaboratively identified there were no opportunities to gather regularly to engage in such activities. Additionally, at a Town Hall jointly held by the Master in Public Administration Club and the Marxe Dean’s Office following the murder of George Floyd in summer 2020, students explicitly requested more spaces to discuss structural racism and its manifestations in the country, the state, the College, and the School.
The DEI Fridays program supports Goal V of the 2018-2023 Baruch College Strategic Plan: “elevate and embed the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency throughout the College” and Strategic Priority Area “Strengthen Our Collaborative and Engaged Community” of the 2023-2028 Baruch College Strategic Plan.
Registration for the Spring 2024 DEI Fridays Series is now open! Learn more and register for our virtual and hybrid sessions at the link below. We look forward to being in community with all of you.
The 2023-2024 DEI Friday Series is sponsored by the Office of the Provost.
View Upcoming DEI Fridays events
