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OAI Hosts SQUASH the Biases Resource Fair Jan. 15
In fall 2018, the Office of Access and Inclusion (OAI) kicked off an innovative initiative called SQUASH the Biases. The OAI, a joint office between the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, started the initiative — a series of three events — to encourage the ICS and engineering communities to “Start Questioning Us About Stereotypes Held.”
The series kicked off in October with a theatrical performance about implicit biases by Pure Praxis, a social theater group dedicated to cultural change. The OAI is now hosting a SQUASH the Biases Resource Fair in Donald Bren Hall 6011 on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., UCI students, faculty and staff will be able to learn about the wide variety of resources available to them on campus. Invited participants include the following:
- Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE),
- Center for Black Cultures Resources & Research (CBCRR),
- Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion,
- Child Care Services,
- Counseling Center,
- Disability Services Center (DSC),
- DREAM Center,
- International Center,
- LGBTQ Resource Center,
- Office of Ombudsman,
- Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center,
- Student Success Initiatives (SSI),
- Veteran Services Center and
- Woman’s Hub (W-Hub).
“We wanted to have a fair where all of these organizations come into ICS to not only share what they do, but to also give tips to those of us who aren’t in that space,” explains Sharnnia Artis, assistant dean for access and inclusion.“We’re trying to shift the thinking about diversity and inclusion so everyone has a role.”
The SQUASH the Biases series will wrap up in the spring with a panel of leaders from academia and industry who have changed the culture of their respective institutions. According to Artis, the overarching goal of the series is for “people to be empowered and to know that they can make a difference.”
So RSVP for the Resource Fair, which will include lunch, and start learning about campus organizations that can not only help you thrive at UCI but can also help break down stereotypes, ensuring all students, faculty and staff feel welcome in our ICS and engineering communities.
— Shani Murray