Inclusive Excellence and Racial Equity: UVAFinance update

The UVAFinance leadership team and the Inclusive Excellence working committee has been having in-depth discussions and have come up with several next steps for carrying out UVA's work on racial equity at a local level. 

First Steps – By July 31^st

1. Adopt UVAFinance guidelines on informal promotions and interim placements during a period of a hiring freeze. (Watch for more details on this soon.)

2. Partner with the EVP/COO leadership team, HR, and Diversity & Equity on Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) strategies.

3. Develop a DEI Learning, Development, and Support Program, including the following to begin:

a. Host regular discussion groups about books, documentaries, movies, TED talks, and podcasts on racial equity and other DEI topics. We will begin with the book “Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves” by Henry Wiencek. To choose selections for future meetings, we will send out an email or survey to gauge interest in other resources. 

b. Develop a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learning Program. To begin, we will include LinkedIn Learning online courses available in Workday.

c. Increase awareness of existing employee affinity groups including the Black Employee Resource Group (BERG), the LGBTQ committee, and the Military Service Veteran networking group. Subsequently, UVAFinance sections of these affinity groups may decide to self-convene to discuss current matters and concerns.

Second Steps – By September 1^st

4. Evaluate UVAFinance human resource practices, including recruiting, interviewing, selection, promotions, development opportunities, and pay to ensure they are just, equitable, and inclusive.

5.  Expand DEI Learning, Development & Support Program (working with HR’s Leadership                     Development team) to deliver more robust development opportunities for UVAFinance staff,                  including but not limited to department-wide presentations, manager training, and a formal                     mentoring program.

6. Adopt and implement relevant recommendations emanating from the Racial Equity Task Force.

7. Begin the development of an annual plan with real, measurable, longer-term goals within the IE framework. 

For more information about any of the UVAFinance-related steps, please contact any member of the UVAFinance IE Working Committee:  Melody Bianchetto, Jen Bari, ToShun Campbell, Anne-Marie Cumiskey, LaVerne Harris, Steve Kimata, Jack King, Brandi Van Ormer.