Dear College of Education Community,
Everyone deserves to be included. Honoring the right of every person, given each person’s unique diversity, to have equity and inclusion in life is also honoring ourselves as we desire and deserve this same right. To better understand these rights, it’s important to first define what is meant by diversity, equity, and inclusion.
USC Library Resource guides offers the following definitions:
Diversity is the practice or quality of creating a community comprising people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, geographies, physical abilities and disabilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, etc.
Equity means that resources are distributed based on the tailored needs of a specific audience. Equity recognizes that some communities will need more—or different—access compared to other communities.
Please note! *Equity and equality do not have the same meaning. Equality is based on giving everyone exactly the same resources, while equity involves distributing resources based on the tailored needs of a specific population.
Inclusion is the act or practice of behaviors and social norms that ensure people feel welcome. In the workplace, inclusion is the achievement of a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.
To read more, go to:
For a list of other self-care options, please go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
We can take the best care of ourselves and others with a deep understanding and commitment to equity and inclusion within our diverse community.
Warmly,
Shari Tarver Behring, Ph.D.