Last week, as a record of number of Americans made their voices heard at the ballot box, Southwestern College took a giant leap forward to build and strengthen equity and inclusion actions while addressing issues of racism and discrimination.
The college launched Belong and a website to house elements included in the effort. At www.swccd.edu/belong, community members can view a 58-page report that is a comprehensive summary of findings of campus climate surveys taken by students, faculty and staff last spring.
Long before the country began the painful and critically important conversation about institutional racism and systems of oppression, we have been actively working to dismantle racism and to be a place where every student knows they belong from their very step onto our campuses.
The Belong report serves as the guidepost for the college’s ongoing inclusion and equity efforts. It is informed by the results of the climate surveys and the 2018 report from the USC Race and Equity Center.
Results of the surveys show that in most categories, campus climate sentiments were similar and favorable, in general. However, once the data was disaggregated for race and ethnicity, it became clear there were differences in campus climate experiences among different racial and ethnic groups.
The results provide specific areas for the college to address to achieve its goal of creating a sense of belonging. That includes institutionalizing meaningful experiences in and out of the classroom for all students.
Since its founding in 1961, Southwestern College has embraced Maya art and architecture. The glyphs and symbols throughout the four college campuses continue honoring that tradition, and Southwestern College is a proud Hispanic-serving institution.
Like our community, however, the demographics of our student body have changed. Two years ago, Southwestern College was also recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution. Further diversity efforts include building learning communities for our African-American students and our LGBTQIA+ students.
What is the significance of these titles and expanding our number of learning communities? They demonstrate the intentionality of our college leadership to establish the foundation for belonging.
Bolstered by California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley’s Call to Action that details specific steps for community colleges to take to confront structural racism in higher education, Southwestern College continues engaging in the affirming conversations of reform.
Has it always been an easy journey? Of course not. But so many at Southwestern College — from faculty, classified professionals, administrators, executive leadership and governing board members — have consistently thought about, planned for and supported student success because that is the fundamental marker for equity.
The social awakening to the issues of racial and social injustice in our country and local communities has only fortified our efforts.
