In a town hall meeting and a series of focus group sessions, a moderator from the Safe to Relate program recently led UNMC employees through discussions about challenges, issues and opportunities that face students and staff from all cultures, faiths, races and socioeconomic backgrounds.
About 300 students also participated in an e-mail survey distributed by Safe to Relate about the campus diversity climate.
The activities were sponsored by University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken. Similar activities were held on all four NU campuses and were aimed at strengthening the entire university’s diversity climate.
“The discussions and activities facilitated discussions that were productive and thought provoking,” UNMC Employee Relations Director Carmen Sirizzotti said. “Thanks to all employees who participated in the town hall and focus groups and thanks to all students who took the survey.”
Safe to Relate is a cross-cultural advancement system that offers individuals and groups desiring to cross cultural barriers solutions to improve their diversity climates.
During the town hall meeting, which was attended by about 100 UNMC employees, moderator Peter Vogel presented anonymous cross-cultural surveys using wireless keypads that gauged employees’ opinions about the environment at UNMC.
Vogel said he would review input from discussions and surveys and make suggestions about steps that can be taken to strengthen UNMC’s diversity climate.