Inclusive Excellence Update

UVA’s Racial Equity Task Force has completed and submitted its Final Report to President Ryan. You can access the full report on their website. You’ll see in the report that the University’s Inclusive Excellence (IE) efforts are tightly aligned with the recommendations put forth by the task force. The IE framework includes the following six dimensions: Access + Success, Healing + Repair, Climate + Intergroup Relations, Education + Scholarship, Infrastructure + Investment, and Community + Partnership. 

The UVAFinance IE Advisory Group has begun to implement some programs and is working toward developing specific, measurable goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), aligning them with the dimensions of the IE framework for the next year and beyond.

The UVAFinance IE Advisory Group is working on the following DEI initiatives:

1. Developing a DEI learning and support program which will include training, resource groups, sprint discussions, book/movie discussions, resource groups.    

    a. We have held three discussions, open to UVAFinance staff, that we’re calling “sprint” discussions – based on President Ryan’s comment that this work is a “sprint rather than a marathon”—that there is an urgent need to get to a place where we can create change and inclusivity in our workplace. We’ve had outstanding participation and open dialogue about issues of race in our communities. Topics are based on a short video or article (or both). Suggestions for topics are welcomed.

    b. We’re hosting a book discussion on August 20, 2:00-3:00 to discuss the book Master of the Mountain by Henry Wiencek. This discussion is open to all. If you plan to participate, please register in Workday learning. (Search on the book title to find the “course” to enroll.)

    c. We are in the process of initiating a DEI Learning Program which to begin with, will include several LinkedIn Learning online courses available in Workday. This learning program will be announced soon.

    d. We will work with UVA’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) to deliver additional training for UVAFinance managers.

2. Improving our HR procedures and practices for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, promotion, rewards and recognition, performance management, and compensation.

    a. We have written and are preparing to finalize guidelines on informal promotions and interim placements during a period of a hiring freeze.

    b. We are beginning to evaluate UVAFinance HR practices and will make recommendations to ensure they are just, equitable, and inclusive.

3. Establishing a mentoring program for UVAFinance staff.

The UVAFinance IE Advisory group includes: Patty Marbury, Melody Bianchetto, Jen Bari, Jack King, Steve Kimata, ToShun Campbell, Raegan Harouff, Anne Marie Cumiskey, Mohammed AlKaisy, and LaVerne Harris. Please reach out to any member of the group with questions