J.E.D.I.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
College of Education
Who We Are
In alignment with the Education Colleges for Justice & Equity framework (EDJE) and the WOU Board Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, the office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) works to ensure that our teaching, service, and research is grounded in equity with the aim of preparing socially-responsible teachers and professionals. We seek to become actively informed while advocating for communities who face discrimination in schools, workplaces, and society.
Our Goals
Adapted from recommendations by Garcia (2019)
- Seek and prioritize funding opportunities that support COE’s vision for servingess
- Enact and prioritize servingness thats support a positive and affirming college environment
- Transform teaching and learning in ways that identifies and sustains cultural and linguistic diversity
- Redefine success by transforming college assessments and prioritizing new measures for academic and nonacademic outcomes of interest along the spectrum of servingness.
- Sustain a bias free environment by supporting faculty professional development and transforming structures in cooperation with the university DEI office.
Training and Events
The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) centers justice and equity-oriented programming and professional learning for students, staff, and faculty in the College of Education. There are currently five types of activities supported by the J.E.D.I. office:
- Division-led Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): Division-led professional learning communities allow each division in the college of education to participate in annual goal-setting with the J.E.D.I. office. The J.E.D.I. office then co-constructs division-specific action plans to support professional growth in designated areas.
- J.E.D.I. Literacy Workshops: J.E.D.I. literacy workshops are designed to provide education for staff and faculty toward building conceptual and practical frameworks supportive of a diverse college community.
- J.E.D.I. rooms for collective healing and understanding: J.E.D.I. rooms designate a space for community care, learning, and conversations (internal)
- Cultural events: The J.E.D.I. office sponsors culture-affirming events that recognize and celebrate the diversity in our college community.
- Community Professional Development: The J.E.D.I. office provides professional development for local teachers, public service employees in neighboring cities, and other community partners. Community professional development aligns with a J.E.D.I. goal of becoming a regional leader in anti-racist teaching and advocacy. Recent and upcoming community professional development opportunities are listed below.
BLM at School Week of Action & Panel Discussion
(annually- February)
Staff, faculty, students, and community partners are invited to an annual discussion on how we can enact the demands of the Black Lives Matter at School movement in our teaching. Fey features include conversations with teachers and students, new learning related to Critical Race Theory, and a banned book giveaway
Partnerships for Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias Teaching
To further the goals of Oregon’s Student Success Act (2019), faculty in the division of education and leadership offer ongoing professional development opportunities and coaching for local educators and education professionals to promote racial, ethnic, and gender equity in schools. Facilitators vary based on grade level and topic. To request professional development for your school, email Jaclyn Caires-Hurley at caireshurleyj@mail.wou.edu
Resources
WOU Resources
- WOU DEL & COE JEDI Resources Padlet
- A message from Dean Mark Girod on the murder of George Floyd
- Research & Resource Center with Deaf* Communities
- Bilingual Teachers Scholars
- University Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee
- Abby’s House, Center for Equity & Gender Justice
- Multicultural Student Services and Programs
- Office of Disability Services
- Center for Teaching and Learning
- Campus Calendar
- Housing Resources
- Schedule an appointment with Student Health & Counseling Center
- Resources for undocumented students
- Immigration Support
- Computer and Technology Loans
- Childcare Resources
Local Resources
- Latinx Family Resources
- Know Your Rights
- Polk County Free Clinic
(503) 831-0551 - Suicide Prevention Hotline
(800) 273-8255 - Food Pantry
(503) 838-8218 - SNAP Food Benefits
- Sable House
Domestic and Sexual Violence (503) 623-4033 - Gender Inclusive Resources
Professional Organizations
Western Oregon University values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering full participation for all students. Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and the Disability Services’ office. Please notify me if there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in disability-related barriers to your participation. If you would like to apply for disability related accommodations please contact the Office of Disability Services at: 503-838-8250, Academic Programs Services Center (APSC) 405, ods@wou.edu
