College Announces Release of BARC Report
(Photo Allyson Frantz/The Gettysburgian)
By Alli Dayton, Staff Writer
Last June, President Iuliano asked the Bias Awareness and Resource Committee (BARC) to evaluate tools and resources for diverse students, the protocols for bias incidents, campus programming, and campus awareness of bias incidents. The committee delivered recommendations for these policies during the summer, and since then, members of the college community have continued to explore ways to confront inequalities on campus.
On Monday, April 19, 2021, President Iuliano sent an email to the study body discussing recent updates to improve the college’s bias awareness and resources.
The first of these updates was an endowed faculty prize.
“The Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize will be awarded in the fall to a faculty member who stands out as having advanced a campus climate that is supportive of differences in the classroom and beyond,” said Iuliano.
This $1,250 prize, which is funded by a group of alumni, will be awarded for the first time in Fall 2021. The awardee will be selected by the Provost and Academic Division Deans, in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer.
Second, Iuliano noted changes to the strategic planning process.
“Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is one of four guiding principles informing every decision related to our college’s future,” he said.
One of the key components of the strategic planning process, curriculum review, “is challenging us to reimagine how the Gettysburg curriculum can foster intercultural competence and critical inquiry on matters related to racism, oppression, power, and privilege,” Iuliano added.
The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) was cited as a progress update. During the spring, members of the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) were required to complete the IDI and the campus has seen an increase in students and faculty members choosing to take the assessment.
“The Office of Diversity & Inclusion has received more than 200 requests to take the IDI since October,” said Iuliano.
“I am confident that we will intensify our efforts in the months and years ahead to make this College a place where every member is valued and fully belongs,” he added.
