Why University Senate is looking to rename, refocus its DEI committee at Purdue

Faculty leaders concerned that ‘if we don’t change the name, then our purpose as a standing committee would be abolished.’ University Senate calls to protect cultural centers.

• Support for today’s edition comes from The Bindery Artist Studios in downtown Lafayette, presenting the Bindery Joint Winter Show through December. The show, featuring photographers Ed Lausch and James Dobscha and painter Michael McNeil, will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, now through the end of December at the studios, 511 Ferry St. The artists will donate 50% of all sales during the show to Food Finders Food Bank.

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• Support also comes from Purdue Musical Organizations, presenting the 92nd annual Purdue Christmas Show. The Christmas Show will shine Boilermaker bright with an all-student cast, festive music and dazzling performances. Tickets are now on sale for the Dec. 6-7 shows, where audiences of all ages will come together to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season at this timeless Purdue tradition. Get your tickets here.

Get tickets here

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This current pop-up sale is still live at BiL. Through the end of the day Monday, subscribers can upgrade to an all-access account at a 20% discount for the first year. That goes for monthly or annual subscriptions. Current subscribers may use the discount for gifts, too. (Once at the page, click on “Gift” at the top.) Here’s the link:

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WHY UNIVERSITY SENATE IS LOOKING TO RENAME, REFOCUS ITS DEI COMMITTEE AT PURDUE

Still catching up on a pair of loosely related, sign-of-the-higher-ed times measures kicked out last week the Purdue’s faculty-led University Senate, both looking through lens of diversity.

Following suit on DEI: The University Senate last week moved to change the name and mission of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, following the university’s effort scrub those three words from as much of its structure as possible due to new state and federal laws and policies.

The new proposed name: The Community Connection Committee.

The new purpose, according to a resolution presented Nov. 17: “The CCC is concerned with matters related to the general social, cultural, intellectual and practical welfare of all students, faculty and staff of the university. In particular, the CCC provides advice to the Senate on matters concerning climate, recruitment, retention, and opportunities for student, faculty and staff success.”

The proposal would ditch specific language of a committee goal to “seek to increase cultural awareness, respect, and inclusion of all groups — including traditionally underrepresented groups based on culture, ethnicity, language, gender, and/or sexual orientation status, and all others noted in Purdue’s nondiscrimination policy.”

The proposal, which will be voted on at the University Senate’s next meeting Jan. 26, seemed to meet with resignation by a body that has in the past pushed the administration on matters of diversity, equity and inclusion.