A Petition for Mandated Cultural Competency Training

I wish I were here to see how this will so positively benefit our campus community.

I support this initiative. As we implement our strategic goal of increased diversity, we need to learn how to deal with an increasingly diverse campus.

I hope this gets me re-elected!

A copy of my letter from last year (8/15/17) ======================================== Q: Commitment to Civility Ken Breeden Aug 15, 2017, 9:46 PM to ejensen, mbrodl, kcarneyh, danielmd, Sarah, Amanda, Christine President Jensen, Provost Brodl, Vice President Carney-Hall: ​I appreciate your encouraging words in light of what happened in the Charlottesville community. I lived in the area for the first 30 years of my life. Why are one or more of the listed events -- and other diversity and inclusion training opportunities -- not ​​required for all IWU students? ​To "come to terms with our shared humanity by learning from those who are like us and from those who are different from us" requires that people like us and different from us participate in the kinds of learning opportunities listed in the email below. It is likely that people "like us" will participate in those events. Based on experience, it seems unlikely that people "different from us" will participate in those same events. Considering the current social and political climate, as well as events that happened on IWU campus last year, it is important that ​all sides come together. It would seem to be a priority objective to prepare students to contribute to society. To do that, they will need to interact with others who have different perspectives. Educational institutions seem to be a prime venue for that interaction. Requirements exist which students must meet in order to graduate within their major, yet requirements do not seem to exist to help them understand diversity and inclusion issues that will also help them contribute to society. This is not to imply we "pass the buck" to the educational system. We have these conversations in our family. Educational institutions can reach an impressionable audience and help us avoid continuing to send into society the same hatred for others that contributed to what happened in Charlottesville. Why a

Making this mandatory is the only way to open the eyes of those unwilling to do so on their own.

This cannot continue. Our students are the future and they deserve to be in a welcoming educational environment, regardless of identity, race, class, or any status.

Black lives matter!

This training will both seed and facilitate on-going discussion which will in turn heighten awareness and, perhaps, change a few minds in favor of supporting a more common humanity.

IWU needs this now more than ever. Thank you to those that are taking action.

It’s about time that IWU faculty takes this initiative given the rate of microaggressions here.

I wholeheartedly support this measure.

I would to hear what we mean by "measurable assessments" but I firmly believe in diversity and inclusion.

This is a long time in the making and it honestly should have been enforced a long time ago. This should also be branched to fraternity houses and sports teams. If they have to attend forums on sexual assault, then should certainly be made to attend this by their chapters and coaches.

I look forward to participating in training and the discussions to follow.

I appreciate being informed when I am guilty of microaggressions, because that is never my intention. The resulting dialogue can only help us grow closer.

Count me in, please.

I think this is a great initiative!!! CHANGE is about ACTION and it starts from WITHIN first!!! It is my hope that this will impact each and every student, staff and faculty member at IWU as intended!!! Great job

I cannot stress the importance of this petition enough.

Count me in, let me know how I can help

Please make this training mandatory for all who pass through IWU’s halls. The ones who want to be aware already educate themselves. The ones who need to have this education won’t unless required. Hopefully, they can get a glimpse of what their lack of action may cause to countless others.