New Initiative to Promote Campus Diversity, Access, Equity and Civility

Chieko Hara, University Relations

Two students talk after picking up healthcare kits.

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at the University of Arkansas announced a new initiative — "We Are Committed to ACT" — aimed at promoting diversity, access, equity and civility at the university.

The program was announced at the kickoff event for Celebrating Diversity Month 2020 by Danielle Williams, assistant vice chancellor and director of OEOC, who is chairing the effort. 

"'We Are Committed to ACT' represents the university's commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive working environment," Williams said. "For our campus to inspire thought, creativity and growth, we must continue to promote diversity, access, equity and civility and ensure it becomes a fabric of our institution."

Working closely with campus partners — including the Office for Diversity and Inclusion — the initiative will focus on three main actions comprising the "ACT" acronym:

• to Aide in stopping the acts or incidents of discrimination, and sexual misconduct.
• to Champion inclusive excellence through equity, access, civility, diversity and inclusion
• and to Tell someone who can take action about your concerns or report it online at report.uark.edu.

To accomplish these efforts, working groups have been formed in four key focus areas: communication, programming, reinforcement and resources. These groups have been asked to develop sustainable actions that can be implemented campuswide as well as within divisions, colleges and units. A full list of the working groups is available on the We Are Committed to Act page on the OEOC website.

The working groups have begun meeting, but students, faculty and staff are still invited to volunteer. Those interested in volunteering for the working group should contact oeoc@uark.edu.