Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Within Circles
Each fall, O∆K offers circles the opportunity to apply for two diversity, equity, and inclusion programming grants of up to $750 each. This funding is given to new programs that support the leadership development of historically underrepresented and marginalized populations or seek to bring leaders together to address issues of racial and ethnic injustice in their campus community. More information on applying for DEI grants can be found here – applications will open again during the 2024 fall semester.
There are various programming opportunities that circles may engage in to make certain that they are embracing best practices in advancing social justice leadership and being inclusive and equitable in their operations. A few potential examples are below:
- Partner with cultural organizations (Black Student Unions, NPHC/Multicultural Greek Council, Hispanic/Latinx Unions, Pride/LGBTQIA organizations, etc.) to host programming regarding inclusive leadership
- Engage in community service and/or philanthropic activities with organizations that serve historically underrepresented and marginalized members of the broader community
- Develop recruitment campaigns that seek to cultivate a diverse group of new initiates representative of leaders from diverse identities as well as the five pillars of campus life celebrated by the Society (scholarship, athletics, service, communications, arts)
- Convene conversations with student leaders from diverse viewpoints to collaborate on ways to improve the student experience for the entirety of the student body
- Provide closed-captioning for virtual events or signing at in-person events
- Lead campus education facilitation events on matters of race, gender, and sexuality awareness (i.e., host and sponsor campus round table or TED talk-styled sessions with a guest scholar or community activist with education as the goal)
