Is there one particular place on the UNMC campus that feels inclusive, comfortable, safe and peaceful?
Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit ideas for images and quotes that demonstrate their best representation of an inclusion space on the UNMC campus.
The images and quotes will be used for a new inclusion space in the McGoogan Health Science Library. The inclusion space is planned for level six in the northeast corner of the library and will feature two areas. One is an open area that will include comfortable lounge seating, privacy screens, reading material and natural light. The other space is an enclosed room for more private conversations, which will include technology that will allow users to connect remotely with fellow students, staff and faculty.
“There is no limit to what we can achieve together,” said Sheritta Strong, MD, director of inclusion at UNMC. “The T in our ITEACH values also states that we respect diversity and one another. As we develop campus initiatives for building an inclusive and diverse environment at UNMC, we want everyone to know that they belong on our campus, especially in the Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library.”
Dr. Strong said that by displaying a variety of pictures and impactful statements that uplift and promote individuals regardless of their background or abilities, it helps to integrate the mission of the UNMC Office of Inclusion.
“This is only one step in collectively making UNMC better together,” she said.
“When the library closed for renovation in 2019, we had students, faculty and staff share their memories of the library on a wall near the library entrance,” said McGoogan Health Sciences Library Dean Emily McElroy. “Students wrote how they viewed the library as a safe space, a second home, a place for reflection and an important part of their academic experience. Creating this new space continues our practice of gathering input from the UNMC community on what is represented in the library, such as the reflection rooms on level seven.”
Ideas can be submitted via email.