Creating awareness of, embracing, and integrating equity into the fabric of our College will likely:
Increase diverse student applications and enrollments, which lead to increased tuition revenue Increase retention of students, faculty and staff, leading to more productivity, and money saved Build academic scores and increase student completion and persistence rates, leading to quicker time to completion and money saved Promote new and diverse ideas, leading to new collaborations which may bring in new grants or other funding opportunities Increase promotions and leadership positions for diverse individuals, therefore less turnovers and money saved Increase diversity programs and events, thus generating increased new internal and external financial support Increase supplier diversity, therefore bringing new support and money from diverse vendors Increase commitment to community issues, therefore generating support leading to increased social understanding and interacting Enhance campus diversity practices that will attract more diverse alumni funding Lessen the amount of discrimination cases against the institution, therefore money saved
Recognizing the Land and those before us …
Time is in constant motion but within each passing moment, we ought to pause to acknowledge the history that has accumulated in the establishment of the present. Such a pause acknowledges the justices and injustices found in the historical narrative and challenges us to continue the journey toward a positive future.
Let us pause to honor that the story of the current institution began before the current bricks and concrete. It has been built on the lands originally of the sovereign nations of the Winnebago and Menominee people. In time, with treaty and payment, the Winnebago and Menominee Nations welcomed the incoming people of the Oneida Nation to inhabit the land where this institution currently stands. Its buildings remain within the boundaries of the Oneida Nation Reservation even after the establishment of State, county and other municipalities of Wisconsin.
Continue to honor the narrative of this plot of land and the people involved in its story. Its significance is humbling and should encourage us to respect the people who have made this land their home, to welcome those who are passing through and to provide equitable opportunities for the future belonging of our children.
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