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Salutations, acknowledgements and well wishes coupled with inviting and smiling unmasked faces from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville administrators, faculty and staff greeted students during four different Student Welcome Receptions via Zoom Monday-Thursday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3. 

Students who identified as Hispanic/Latinx, LGTBQIA+, Black and Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) tuned into their respective receptions to find eager faces awaiting them. Some administrators attending the sessions included SIU President Dan Mahony, PhD; SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook; Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD; Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD; Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker, and Associate Chancellor for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer Venessa A. Brown, PhD. 

“Welcome and Welcome back. I don’t think there has ever been a better time to be at SIUE,” said Mahony. “That may seem a strange thing to say, given all that we’re dealing with, but we have a lot of leaders who are willing to listen and willing to make some real changes. Now is the time for real change. 

“We have been working on two major issues – the COVID-19 crisis and being anti-racist. Concerning the matter of COVID-19, we are working with local health departments and medical experts from all over our system. We have been relying on them throughout the pandemic to give us advice on how to do things the healthy and safe way.” 

Mahony also listed several efforts systemwide efforts addressing institutionalized racism. “I’m a true believer that we have suffered from systemic racism in higher education, and we need to change that. Some of the bias is intentional, and some of it is unintentional.” 

“Diversity and inclusion are core values of SIUE,” said Pembrook. “I hope you will create a calendar, and put on it some of our great activities and programming. On Fridays, we have Inclusive Conversations, which resulted from a student saying, ‘I don’t know anyone to talk to about the important things in my life.’ Our Student Government Association has created Town Hall meetings, and Dr. Brown and her office will host Diversity Day from Oct. 14-15.” 

Throughout the receptions, Pembrook encouraged students to get involved. “There are so many people on this Zoom who are wonderful resources,” he said. “We have faculty and staff members, and I hope you get to know them. They are here to help you. The reason for these receptions is to provide a sense of community. We want you to feel a part of this University.” 

During the receptions, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) Director Lindy Wagner informed students of various campus activities and resources. Her presentation included CSDI programming such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon Celebration, Sustained Dialogue, First Generation Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Non-Traditional Student Week and various Heritage Month celebrations. 

Wagner also told students about CSDI’s collaborations with the Student Government Association, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Foreign Language Training Center, Interim Assistant Provost for Academic Equity and Inclusive Excellence Jessica Harris, PhD; Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT); Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) and more. 

“So many faculty and staff attended every reception to show they were committed to our students,” said Wagner. “The students also really seemed to enjoy their interactions with one another. It is important, at this time, for students to feel a sense of connection and belonging.” 

 “All of the Student Welcome receptions were engaging, informative and inclusive of all of the services offered at SIUE,” said Brown. “I think there was a substantial amount of information about programs and engagement opportunities in all of the receptions to support students.”  

 “Hola, and welcome everyone,” said José Licon-Oppenheimer, Spanish instructor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, who spoke at the Hispanic/Latinx student reception. “Help is always welcome to students. It’s not only about learning the language, but learning your culture and sharing your values with the University community, which is extremely important.” 

After introductions and presentations, students were directed to breakout rooms with other students, faculty and staff. 

“I really liked the breakout sessions,” said Lacie House, a senior social work major who attended the LGBTQI+ reception. “It forced people to get to know one another. My favorite part was the second breakout room with only students. I got to see genuine interactions between other students. I would like to see another meeting set up just for LGBTQ+ students. I believe the goal was met with making the students feel more connected within their communities.” 

“The Black Student Welcome Reception was such a nice hello and embrace to me as a transfer student,” said Micah Austin, a freshman business major. “My favorite part was our breakout sessions and being able to connect and have more personal discussions within my tribe (my new family). I also loved how the staff, faculty and administrators stressed the importance of supporting us and seeing us succeed and graduate. I’m grateful to have experienced this event and have joined a family who will encourage and help me become the best version of myself.” 

“It is important that supportive spaces are created for Black students, faculty and staff where the full expression of Blackness is accepted, appreciated and invited,” said Kathryn Bentley, associate professor in the Department of Theater and Dance, director of the SIUE Black Studies program and co-chair of the Black Student Welcome Reception with Tarsha Moore, CSDI assistant director. 

“The faculty and staff leaders in attendance committed to engaging with students throughout the year and throughout their academic careers,” she continued. “We are committed to seeing our students graduate!” 

To that end, the entire SIU system is working to assist all students and provide an inclusive environment, according to Mahony. 

“Specifically, when I think about the LGBTQIA+ community, I remember a time when it was incredibly hostile for LGBTQIA+ students and there was little support,” he recalled. “I’m also glad to say that I remember when Safe Zone trainings first started at universities. I’m not naïve to think we’ve dealt with all issues we need to. As we are continuing our path to becoming a more welcoming community, we want everyone to have a sense of belonging. 

“Everyone has a right to learn in a safe, supportive environment, and we want that for all of our students.” 

Photos:
SIUE hosted the following Student Welcome Receptions.