The Lesley University Diversity Council (LUDC) is the longest-standing University initiative around diversity and inclusion.
At the heart of our mission at the Council is a commitment to social justice for all. To this end, our members are dedicated to honoring and understanding differences in all dimensions. We believe in leveraging differences by addressing constructs of power and privilege, which often result in oppression, marginalization, and discrimination.
Our work focuses on the retention of students, faculty, and staff, which supports and encourages the creation of a diverse community. Our Diversity Council members work with the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Office to inspire and maintain a university environment that embodies the positive attributes of a civil and just society.
The mission has evolved as student activism on campuses nationwide has demanded a comprehensive and critical examination of power, privilege, and oppression. With the creation of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Office at the beginning of calendar year 2021, the Diversity Council serves as an advisory council to the Vice President of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
This all-volunteer organization has a modest budget funded by the Vice President of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice to co-sponsor events, and meets annually with the University President, the Provost, and the Vice President of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice to discuss the year's accomplishments at the annual retreat. We use a shared leadership model, with Chair and Vice-Chair positions rotating each year between faculty and staff.
Programming and Sponsorship
The Diversity Council plans and hosts one major diversity-related event each semester. Additionally, our mission is focused on collaboration and sponsorship. We provide funding, guidance, and support for any other group hosting an event on campus.
Our streamlined event sponsorship application is online and we work to coordinate events calendars with the University at large.
Monthly Meetings
Meetings typically take place on one Thursday a month, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. We invite you to participate in the meetings electronically via Zoom. You can also request to read the meeting minutes.
Please email ludc@lesley.edu for the Zoom link.
Here are the meetings for the 2022-2023 year:
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Sept. 29 | Jan. 12 |
| Oct. 13 | Feb. 9 |
| Nov. 10 | Mar. 9 |
| Dec. 8 | Apr. 20 |
| May 11 |
Steering Committee Membership
- Janet Story Sauer (Chair)
- Kelvin Ramirez (Committee Member)
- Jean Clarke-Mitchell (Committee Member)
- Ren McEachern (Committee Member)
- Uma Chandrika Millner (Committee Member)