Those who have been pregnant, raised a family, or cared for a loved one while working or going to school know it can be difficult to manage all the demands each requires. The virtual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Summit on Tuesday, April 2, 10 a.m. to noon, will focus on those challenges and highlight the support systems in place at WSU to support those experiencing them.
Registration is open for the summit and faculty, staff, and students across the WSU system are encouraged to participate.
“These issues are usually not discussed openly, and it is important to do so because they impact many people throughout our system,” said Matthew Jeffries, assistant dean of students and director of campus climate and community building in Student Affairs. “We want people to leave the summit feeling confident about where they can seek support if they need it, and how each of us can play a role in providing that support.”
Dave Cillay, chancellor of WSU’s Global Campus, will provide opening remarks. He will be followed by Amanda Morgan, associate director of the Academic Success and Career Center on the Pullman campus, who will set the stage by using her own lived experience while working at WSU.
The summit will feature three breakout rooms focusing on the kinds of support available and how to access it; how supervisors can best support their staff; and the types of modifications available to assist pregnant students.
“I think the presentations and discussions will be engaging, and they will help to demystify some of these processes,” Jeffries said. “I hope the summit will jumpstart conversations around these issues that will continue well after the summit is over.”
Jeffries said the summit’s theme is timely as the WSU community awaits updated Title IX regulations. Those revisions are expected to be announced soon.
