October 2021 Journey to Unity Newsletter
October 2021 Journey to Unity Newsletter

Hello October and welcome Fall!

Welcome to October 2021!  Our semester is flying by as the midterm season is upon us.  I encourage everyone to keep studying, take time for mental breaks to take care of yourself, and have some fun as we can feel Fall in the air!

This month we continue our celebration of Latinx/a/o Heritage Month.  There have been so many great stories told across our campus in celebration of our Latinx/a/o students, faculty, and staff.  I have pulled a great story about University of Iowa student Bianca Robles-Muñoz, called "Thriving outside of her comfort zone." Her journey to Iowa is an inspiration to everyone, and I encourage you to take a quick read this month. 

In October, we celebrate LBGTQ+ History all month on our campus to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. LGBTQ+ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994, centering National Coming Out Day, occurring annually on October 11th. I encourage everyone to check out the events scheduled by the Iowa Pride Alliance Center this month.

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New Anti-Violence Plan addresses findings from 2021 Speak Out Iowa survey

Speak Out Survey Graphic

Speak Out Survey Results

Through its latest comprehensive anti-violence plan, the University of Iowa continues to enhance efforts to combat sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, technology-facilitated harassment, stalking, dating violence, and sexual violence) on our campus. The plan was informed by the 2021 Speak Out Iowa survey.

Title IX and Gender Equity Resources

New sexual harassment and misconduct resources online home

The Office of Institutional Equity's Title IX and Gender Equity Unit provides resources to all students, postdoc, faculty, and staff members related to sexual harassment and misconduct, including dating/domestic violence, and stalking when those reports involve members of or visitors to the university community

Spotlight on our People

Spotlight on Bianca Robles-Muñoz

Thriving outside of her comfort zone

More than 1,000 miles from her Texas home, University of Iowa student Bianca Robles-Muñoz is getting a top-notch education in communication sciences and disorders while also gaining a newfound appreciation for her Latina heritage. “I feel like coming to Iowa had made me more connected to my Latina identity. When I was surrounded by people like me all the time, I didn’t realize how important my Latina identity was to me,” Robles-Muñoz says.

Andre Perry

Meet Andre Perry

Meet the newest member of the Division of DEI staff, Andre Perry started his new position on September 22 as the director of arts, engagement, and inclusion and senior advisor.

In this new position, Perry will increase the university’s DEI engagement efforts by leveraging the transformative power of arts and culture to grow a unified campus climate. He will steward programs, necessary conversations, and policy improvements to develop short- and long-term strategies while providing administrative oversight on campus climate surveys. He will also assist the division in building platforms for candid campus stories to shape positive learning and working environments for the institution.

DEI Resources

Defining DEI at Iowa

How do you define D.E.I?  Check out UI's definitions and download them for easy reference.

New "Reporting Problems" website launches

Our Community Cares.  Check out the new "Reporting Problems" website full of resources as the centralized hub to report problems of sexual harassment, misconduct, bias, harassment, and discrimination.  

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