Student Senate met Wednesday and heard from Interim Vice President Salome Nnoromele and Executive Director Duane Bruce of Diversity and Inclusion of Ohio University’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
Nnoromele said the Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s goal is to foster a sense of belonging within diverse people on campus and educate students and faculty on cultures other than their own.
The Division of Diversity and Inclusion received the Award for Higher Education Excellence in Diversity. The division works in tandem with the Make Respect Visible campaign as well as a supplemental program to Make Respect Visible called My Culture Is Not A Costume.
“I grew up in Nigeria … What I wear is not a costume; it’s what I wear every day,” Nnoromele said. “When you appropriate someone’s culture without questions and without understanding, it shows ignorance and goes to show a lack of respect.”
Nnoromele announced that a counselor has been added to the services at the Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
“Sometimes all we need to do is share our stories, our feelings, with somebody else who’s not going to judge us,” Nnoromele said.
Following the presentation, Senate moved to fill a vacant position and passed resolutions to amend their rules and procedures.
Rees Morris was appointed Senator to the Minority Affairs Commission.
