Diversity-related Programs & Offices
Rhodes offers a number of resources & services that will help faculty, staff and students in their pursuit to gain a greater understanding and knowledge around issues of multiculturalism related to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc. Brief descriptions of the services/resources provided on campus are listed below along with contact information for the responsible persons or departments.
Chaplain’s Office
The Chaplain’s office serves as a gateway to many religious and service opportunities. For more information, contact Walt Tennyson at tennysonw@rhodes.edu, 310 Briggs or 843-3804.
Diversity Dialogue Series
The Diversity Dialogue Series is a monthly program focused on a variety of diversity topics. This venue will provide a place where faculty, staff and students can come to learn, share and be transparent as it relates to diversity issues. For more information, feel free to contact Dwaun Warmack at warmackd@rhodes.edu or 843-3628. You may also stop by 301 Briggs.
National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI)
The National Coalition Building Institute is an international, non-profit, leadership training organization based in Washington, DC, USA. Since 1984, NCBI has worked to eliminate racism and all other forms of prejudice and discrimination throughout the world.
Instituted at Rhodes in 2004 to help foster a more inclusive environment, prejudice-reduction workshops are offered to faculty, staff and students throughout the year. Interested persons should contact Dwaun Warmack (warmackd@rhodes.edu, 843-3628) and/or Gail Streete (gstreete@rhodes.edu, 843-3742) to obtain information about upcoming opportunities to participate.
Office of Disability Services
The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) is committed to ensuring that educational programs are accessible to all qualified students in accordance with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and expanded by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To guard against discrimination on the basis of disability, reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids are determined on a case-by-case basis for otherwise qualified students who have a demonstrated need for these services. For more information, please contact Melissa Butler McCowen at mbutler@rhodes.edu or 843-3994.
Office of Multicultural Affairs
Established in 1990, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has a unique role in offering programs & services that enhance the overall quality of life for students of color. All of the cultural organizations such as All Student Interested in Asia (ASIA), the Black Student Association (BSA), the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), the Hispanic Organization for Language & Activities (HOLA), and Rhodes Indian Cultural Exchange (RICE) reside under the Office of Multicultural Affairs. These organizations, along with the Multicultural Resource Center located on the ground floor of Briggs, are open to all faculty, staff and students. To obtain additional information, contact Cynthia Polk-Johnson at polk_johnson@rhodes.edu or 843-3529.
Safe Zone Program
The main goal of the Rhodes Safe Zone program is to help foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Individuals who participate in the Safe Zone program do not have to be experts in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues, but instead, they must demonstrate a commitment to respond to sexual and gender minority students in a way that is affirming and validating. Our Safe Zone training program here at Rhodes is designed to help interested individuals gain access to information and resources available to help in this endeavor. Contact Pam Detrie at detriep@rhodes.edu or 843-3128 for more information.
Academic departments such as African American Studies, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Religious Studies and Women’s Studies are also available sources of information.
