Office of Equity and Inclusion Newsletter
We are so excited to have the L&C community back on campus!
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
So far this fall, our office has been highly focused on efforts related to welcoming, collaborating, and looking ahead. We’ve been busy spending our days connecting with students and colleagues to engage and show up in ways that reflect our core commitment to building a campus where everyone feels a strong sense of community and belonging.
We want to acknowledge both the positive momentum of this fall term and the real difficulties some of our members may be navigating. We are here to support a range of experiences.
We invite you to read on in this newsletter to catch up on our recent activities and to learn more about news and events planned for the upcoming months. We are genuinely excited to continue working alongside all of you to foster a truly diverse and inclusive campus environment every day.
- The office was active in new student orientations and fall retreats at all three schools: welcoming students, faculty, and staff back to school via several presentations and discussions related to inclusion and belonging topics.
- We were excited to welcome the launch of the third Alumni Affinity Group to campus–the L&C Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Association now joins the L&C Black Alumni Association and the L&C Native Alumni Association in supporting graduates in fostering a stronger Lewis & Clark community network and advancing the mission of the college.
- In September, the OEI supported the Inclusion and Multicultural Center’s (IME) Great Expectations Mentorship fall weekend retreat aimed at supporting new students and those seeking peer mentorship, particularly those who may be first generation and from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Our office supported Lewis & Clark’s college access presence at the Portland El Grito event as part of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Moda Center.
- The OEI was also awarded grant funds from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to support ongoing equity and inclusion efforts, which has provided training for staff and funded projects in the offices of IME and International Students and Scholars.
- The OEI also produced its Annual Bias Incident Report, which summarizes data from the campus reporting system that aims to assist individuals and groups affected by bias incidents, tracks and documents these occurrences, and proposes responses and interventions aimed at reducing bias on campus. This is our second annual report, shared to increase transparency and understanding of trends, and to implement data-informed strategies.
- We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assistance and Response Team (BART) report system. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices.
This year, the OEI will support institution-wide initiatives that impact access and opportunity for all across campus, including the implementation of the Lewis & Clark Strategic Plan, focusing on community partnerships aspects in particular. Our support for partnerships with Albina Vision Trust, Friends of Tryon Creek, the Native American Advisory Council, Alumni Affinity Groups, and Community Dialogues are examples of expanding partnerships that benefit students’ experiences and opportunities. We’re also dedicated to ongoing collaboration with and to supporting the great work of several key campus offices, including Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME), International Students and Scholars (ISS), Office of Student Accommodations (OSA), Student Engagement, Health Promotion and Wellness, and our partners at the Graduate School of Education and Counseling and Law School, just to name a few.
In Community,
Dr. Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Employee Spotlight
Brian White
What I love most is working with students. They’re the reason I do this. Watching them arrive, grow, and eventually graduate is rewarding, even though it’s hard to see them go. The constant change—the mix of students, personalities, and cultures—makes the work endlessly engaging.
Fall 2025 Updates
The Office of Equity and Inclusion is in a time of staff transition, yet remains focused on ensuring continuity and upholding our commitment to the mission and work of the institution. Dean of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Danielle Torres was recently selected as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Community Dialogues Director, which began in September 2025. In order to ensure a smooth transition for the OEI, she will continue to also serve as Dean until January 2026. Additionally, Erika More joined the OEI in October 2025 in the new position of Assistant Dean & Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator. Ms. More comes from the University at Texas, Austin where she was the Director of Education and Prevention in the Title IX Office. She has earned master’s degrees in both higher education administration and legal doctrine and analysis. Originally from Oregon, she brings strong collaborative skills and experience in leading student supports and compliance initiatives. This is a move from remote coordination to a role based on campus, strengthening in-person community connections. Our Operations Manager staff member, Mellanie Muller, continues to provide stellar support in her part-time position.
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are being revitalized for the upcoming school year! If you are interested in volunteering to lead an Employee Resource Group, please reach out to diversityinclusion@lclark.edu. Be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees.
- Join us for our first Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, December 2 at 12 p.m. in the Fowler 350. Light snacks will be provided, but also feel free to bring your lunch and join us! We will be discussing food insecurity, impacts, and on and off campus resources for our community. Stay tuned for Lunch and Learns throughout the rest of the school year.
- As part of our involvement with CIC’s Belong: An Inclusive Learning Community, all faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to register for the next Belong Cornerstone Webinar, Upholding Belonging and Free Expression: Empowering Students in a Polarized Time , on Monday, November 10, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT. Can’t make the live event but still want to engage with the discussion? If you register the recording will be emailed to you following the session!
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Fall Heritage Months: We celebrated campus-wide events to honor and highlight the many important contributions and resources within our diverse communities for Hispanic-Latine Heritage Month, First Generation Celebration Dinner, Indigenous People’s Day, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Native American History Month!
- Community Dialogues: We continue to support the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings. If you have ideas or questions about Community Dialogues, please reach out to the CD Coordinator.
- Homecoming Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope we were able to welcome you back at Homecoming Weekend this October. OEI was present at various special events, including the Coffee with the Deans, the Football Tailgate In The Endzone, the Alumni Affinity Group Pop Ups, and the Alumni of Color Reception. We love connecting with our alumni!
- HEDS Campus Climate survey: The OEI has begun to share the results of last year’s inaugural HEDS Campus Climate survey with the L&C community–presenting the key findings and recommendations to stakeholders across campus, with a focus on highlighting themes including bridging discomfort between peers, minimizing assumptions, developing interpersonal skills, addressing polarizing issues, and cultivating shared values. More information will be shared soon, in partnership with Institutional Research.
- 22nd Annual Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies: We encourage all community members to attend the upcoming symposium to be held November 12-14. This year’s theme is “Sowing Resistance” and will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, art, and a student research showcase. A huge thank you to the student co-chair committee members and advisor Kim Brodkin for leading the efforts to make this outstanding annual event happen!
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
Welcome to the 2025-2026 academic year!
First of all, I want to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Erika More, and I am honored to serve as the new Assistant Dean, Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator in the Office of Equity and Inclusion. In my role, I oversee both Title IX and Bias Assessment and Reporting Team (BART) related reports for all three campuses at L&C.
I am excited to build on the work of the OEI to expand education efforts surrounding rights, processes, and policies for both Title IX and Bias Assessment and Reporting. If you or your team is interested in training opportunities, please reach out to me to discuss collaboration and workshop options for your campus groups.
I encourage all members of our community to familiarize themselves with the policies, complete their annual assigned training, and take advantage of the resources available. You can review the Title IX policy and the Discrimination and Harassment policies on our website.
If you have any questions or need assistance, you can submit a Title IX or Bias related report here. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact me at erikamore@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu if you would like to discuss any concerns further.
Previous Newsletters
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Another academic year has flown by! As we approach the close of the academic year, the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) reflects with gratitude and resoluteness on the opportunities we’ve had to lead, collaborate, and support efforts that advance equity, inclusion, and belonging across our campus.
This spring term has been unlike any other for the scope of Equity and Inclusion in higher education. We have seen that across the country, the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education has shifted in challenging and often unsettling ways. We’ve seen efforts to disrupt progress, divide communities, and cast doubt on the value of inclusive education.
But here, we remain grounded in our purpose.
At L&C, we stand firm in our commitment to diversity, democracy, and the right of every individual to belong, thrive, and be heard. These values are not trends — they are the foundation of our mission and our shared future. We’ve seen the impacts of recent events on our students, staff, and faculty, and we recognize the weight many are carrying. In the face of uncertainty, we continue our work and remain focused on the needs and indelible spirit of our community. Supporting inclusion and belonging for all — and protecting rights and promoting fairness — is not only our responsibility; it is our strength. We will continue to move forward together.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) remains dedicated to promoting a sense of belonging and engagement through ongoing consultation, collaboration, and support for students, staff and faculty. In response to the evolving needs of students, staff, and faculty, OEI has actively engaged in delivering timely information, guidance, and presence across campus. Our team has offered presentations and communications to ensure that campus stakeholders remain informed about rapidly changing federal policies and executive orders, Title IX, Title VI and NCAA policies.
In addition, OEI contributed to and co-sponsored events hosted by various areas across the college. These included spring symposia, speaker engagements, and workshops that foster critical dialogue and learning across campus. OEI was recently awarded a “Meeting the Moment Grant” grant from the Council of Independent Colleges. These funds will support new belonging initiatives on campus, with a particular focus on addressing the immediate and emerging needs of our international students. As the spring term wraps up, the office has been active in campus-wide initiatives, graduation celebrations, community socials, and heritage months. The end of the year is always a joyful whirlwind, filled with events to gather, reflect and celebrate the many achievements of our students, staff, and faculty.
These are just a few examples of enacting our values into action during this spring term. I invite you to read on for more news from our office.
In Community,
Dr. Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Employee Spotlights
Diana Leonard, Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair
I get to learn with some of the brightest minds in the world and make important strides in my committee work on themes of equity, empathy, and educational access.
Monique Jones, Food Service Worker
My grandmother’s have always been my biggest role models. They always taught me to be strong, assertive and compassionate.
More about Monique
Spring 2025 Updates
- Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in Lunch & Learns this year. Special thanks to the Watzek and Boley libraries, alumnus Alyce Sadongei, and Michelle Callahan for presenting and sharing the work you do for the L&C community and beyond. Be on the lookout for additional Lunch and Learns, returning next Fall!
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to be active all year long, so please be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to all staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees. For ERG membership and contact info or if you have an idea for a new ERG, please contact Jaime Cale in our office.
- This Spring, OEI remained actively engaged in supporting professional development opportunities for staff and faculty across campus. OEI sponsored a group of Lewis & Clark staff and faculty members from Common Services, the Law School, and the Graduate School to attend the Northwest Regional Equity Conference (NWREC). OEI Program Manager Jaime Cale delivered a conference presentation titled “ Dis/ability Justice in Higher Education: Dis/mantling Ableism in the Academy .”
- OEI continues to support several campus-wide initiatives including the L&C Advantage Strategic Plan, Native American Advisory Committee, Staff Council, Albina Vision Trust partnership, and the Mascot Steering Committee—efforts that reflect our commitment to collaboration, reflection, and forward momentum in building an inclusive campus environment for all.
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Spring Heritage Months, Graduation Celebrations, and other Programming Highlights: Staff, with the collaboration of our dedicated student workers, helped plan, attend, and contribute to events recognizing Black History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, spring holidays, community-wide socials and graduation celebrations. We proudly supported student-led affinity group events, including those organized by Hillel, Muslim Student Association, Gente Latina Unida, Native Student Association, United Front, and continued our ongoing engagement with Posse students. OEI also had the opportunity to support and co-sponsor a myriad of events this Spring, including:
- OEI’s & HR’s stewardship of the Belonging Network continues to provide several opportunities for our L&C community, including quarterly webinars, micro credential options, and newsletter resources that we feature in The Source –to share ideas for making campus more welcoming for everyone.
- Community Dialogues: We continue to support the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings. If you have ideas or questions about Community Dialogues, please reach out to the CD Coordinator.
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- BART work has primarily been focused on student-to-student interactions in regards to political and religious differences, resulting in many facilitated conversations, agreement resolutions, and conflict reduction skills as report outcomes.
- As a follow up to the inaugural 2024 Annual BART Report, this summer we will release the 2025 Annual BART Report. This annual reporting was created to observe trends in reporting, provide clarity to our campus community, and to provide direction in our aim to cultivate a campus culture where everyone feels valued and respected while honoring individual rights. Be on the lookout for the 2025 report on our website and in campus newsletters.
- Reminder: We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assessment and Reporting Team (BART) reporting system and process. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices.
Hello! I’m Lori Makin-Byrd, the Title IX Coordinator. As the semester wraps up, we’re focusing on a new Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Misconduct Policy. On January 9, 2025, a federal district court issued a decision vacating the 2024 Title IX Final Rule. Consistent with the court’s order and Department of Education guidance, L&C updated its policies and procedures to reflect these changes. The updated policy can be found online and applies to all members of the campus community. At this time, we do not anticipate additional significant regulatory changes from the federal government in the short-term. However, we will continue regular revisions of our Policy, to ensure equity, transparency, and fairness. We are also happy to hear feedback from you. When you return in the fall, you’ll see an updated website, with new flowcharts and infographics for the updated Policy.
If you have questions—or ideas for future columns, feel free to reach out to lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu. You can also always book a time to meet with me at: https://grandriversolutionsevents.as.me/lori-makin.Looking Ahead to Summer 2025
As we turn to summer planning, the Office of Equity and Inclusion remains committed to actively supporting both new and ongoing programs and initiatives that serve the Lewis & Clark community.
- We recently received the results of the inaugural HEDS Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey and will soon begin sharing key findings, along with meaningful and actionable steps to engage the entire campus.
- Look out for our annual OEI Summer Book Club program—announcement coming soon!
- Lewis & Clark’s co-hosting of the June 2025 NW5C Elevating Equity: Building a Network for Faculty Retention Conference in partnership with Reed College—a regional effort aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and faculty support.
- We will continue to support new leadership at the Graduate School and Law School, and welcome the Deans in collaborative, forward-thinking planning across all campuses.
- We’ll be partnering with local nonprofit advocacy organizations to support international students. Look for community coalition building opportunities for summer residential students, faculty and staff.
- Alumni Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope to welcome you back at Alumni Weekend June 26-29. Check out the schedule here—we’ll see you there!
Community Congratulations
With the end of another successful academic year comes many congratulations to be shared! Special congratulations to…
- Congratulations and best wishes on future adventures, to our long term student workers: Fardosa Yusuf ’25 and Ela Gore ’25. During their time as OEI Student Workers, they have supported many events across campus, curated podcasts, assisted with heritage month celebrations, tabling and community building events, social media and communication endeavors, and connected our office to the student body at L&C. Our office would not be the same without your steadfast commitment to OEI!
- Congratulations to CAS Teacher of the Year nominees (Kim Cameron-Domínguez, Anna Miromanova, Magalí Rabasa, Liz Stanhope and Tamily Weissman-Unni) and winner, Satoni Newson, Instructor of Japanese, for your recognition and exemplifying the work of building an inclusive community for students to feel seen and welcome at Lewis & Clark. Your dedication and hard work deserves to be celebrated!
- Congratulations to our own Dean of Equity and Inclusion, Danielle Torres for being elected to the National Board of Directors of the Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium. What an honor!
- And a huge congratulations to all of our 2025 graduates from CAS, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the Law School. We are continuously impressed with your hard work, dedication, and achievements! We wish you all the best with this new chapter of your life. Thank you for being a lasting part of what makes L&C so special–we’re grateful to count you as a member of this community, always.
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Happy Fall to All! We invite you to read on in this newsletter to catch up on our recent accomplishments and to learn more about exciting news for the upcoming fall months. We are so excited to support students, faculty and staff on campus as we continue to work every day to exemplify our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment. We wish everyone the best of luck as we approach midterms.
- The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) remains dedicated to promoting a sense of belonging and engagement through ongoing consultation, collaboration, and support for students, staff and faculty. More than ever, OEI has been working hard to respond to global, local, and personal events and experiences of our community by enacting and emphasizing inclusivity and care.
- The office was active in new student orientations at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Law School, welcoming students via several presentations and discussions related to inclusion and belonging topics. We’ve also been invited to speak to classrooms on a variety of topics, which we always enjoy!
- In September, the OEI supported the Inclusion and Multicultural Center’s (IME) Great Expectations Mentorship fall weekend retreat aimed at first generation and students of color.
- At the Law School, we delivered several course-based presentations on topics of Bias and Race in Professional Development and will be providing additional presentations on Calling In Skills and Disability Issues.
- Outreach into the Portland community included sponsorship of the El Grito event as part of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Moda Center and attendance at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Annual Convention in Ridgefield, Washington.
- The OEI also produced its first Annual Bias Incident Report, which summarized data from the campus reporting system that aims to assist individuals and groups affected by bias incidents, tracked and documented these occurrences, and proposed responses and interventions aimed at reducing bias on campus. The intention going forward is to continue producing and publishing annual reports summarizing the data in an effort towards transparency, understanding trends, and implementing data-informed responsive strategies.
- We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assistance and Response Team (BART) report system. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices.
On Monday, October 14, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and take time to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, both past and present. This day serves as an important reminder to reflect on this history, to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and achievements of Indigenous cultures, and to continue learning from their enduring legacies.
On our campus, it is essential that current Native students, staff and faculty, and Native alumni lead the establishment of Indigenous-centered spaces on campus. In recognition of those spaces, Lewis & Clark will support several events aimed at deepening our understanding of local Indigenous experiences and contributions. These events provide an opportunity for all of us to listen to essential voices, expand our knowledge, and strengthen our community bonds.
On Monday, there will be a jointly sponsored Native Activism Panel and Dinner in Stamm West at 5 p.m. Also on Monday, the Native American Law Students (NALSA) are hosting a lunchtime event from 12:10–1:10 p.m. (bring your lunch and questions) in McCarty 3 and an evening event from 5:30–7 p.m. in the Legal Research Center with Judge David Avraham Voluck, Chief Judge of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Court and Presiding Judge for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government.
We encourage you to learn about the various events and art exhibits associated with this year’s Native Artist-Scholar in residence, Anthony Hudson (Grand Ronde/Siletz), who also performs in persona as Carla Rossi. We also invite you to learn more about both the Presidential Native American Advisory Committee and the Native American Alumni Association.
Please look out for more news next month when November will bring additional programming for Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, planned by a collaborative Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Center (IME) committee. We encourage you to participate in these events as a way to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and reaffirm our collective responsibility to honor Indigenous perspectives and promote justice and equity in our community.
Moreover, we emphasize the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices not only today, but every day. In honoring the Indigenous groups on our campus, it is essential that we center Native voices and perspectives, uphold the ability to shape respective narratives, and ensure they are heard.
Another meaningful step we can take is to recognize and reflect on the relationship we have with the land on which we learn, work and live by acknowledging the original caretakers who have stewarded it for generations. By fostering a deeper understanding of this connection, we can better appreciate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples and work toward a more respectful and just future for all.
Thank you for joining us in this important community reflection and celebration.
In Community,
Dr. Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Isa Simon, President of the Native Student Union
Employee Spotlight - Gabriel “Gabe” Lorca
My heritage reminds me every day why it is important to remember where we come from and think more deeply about where we’re going. Majoring in History has been a way of connecting with my and other cultures across time. I hope to continue this connection as I progress through my education and my career.
Fall 2024 Updates
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to hold fall activities, so please be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees. If you have an idea for a new ERG, please speak to Jaime Cale in our office.
- Lunch & Learns are continuing this Fall! Our October Lunch & Learn is taking place on Thursday, October 24 at 12:00 p.m. in the Watzek Library classroom. Bring your lunch and join us! We will be exploring how campus partners support DEIJ work on campus and broadly, the library’s initiatives in support of inclusion around the campus community, including services, resources, and spaces. Stay tuned for monthly Lunch & Learn’s throughout the rest of the school year.
- As part of our involvement with CIC’s Belong: An Inclusive Learning Community, all faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to register and attend the webinar “Feeling Welcome: Connecting Through Conversations,” on November 6, 2024, from 11:00-12:00 p.m. PST. Presented by Dr. Teresa Nance, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Villanova University, this webinar will provide actionable strategies to enhance classroom dialogue and ensure all students feel heard and valued.
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Native Activism Panel in Support of Indigenous People’s Day: In partnership with IME and Native Student Union, hosted a dinner and panel discussion with three speaker, Terry Supahan (Executive Director, True North Organizing Network), Azucena Morales Santos (L&C Alumnus 2024) and OEI’s own Jaime Cale (Mother, educator, community organizer, Program Manager for OEI). This event gave the campus an opportunity to be in solidarity and learn from Indigenous leaders and L&C alumni on their experience with activism.
- Fall Heritage Months: We have celebrated and continue to celebrate various fall heritage months via campus-wide events to honor and highlight the many important contributions and resources within our diverse communities for Hispanic Heritage Month, Indigenous People’s Day, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Native American History Month!
- Community Dialogues: We continue to support the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings. If you have ideas or questions about Community Dialogues, please reach out to the CD Coordinator.
- Homecoming Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope we were able to welcome you back at Homecoming Weekend this October. OEI was present at various special events, including the Deans Coffee, the Tailgate, the Alumni of Color Reception. We love connecting with our alumni!
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HEDS Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey, coming soon: A campus wide climate survey is coming to students, faculty, and staff this November. OEI wants to hear from you! More detailed information will be coming your way soon, keep an eye on your L&C email. We are also excited to have survey participants be entered into a drawing for prizes, prizes include:
- Student Prizes
- Hopscotch Fun Package: 4 tickets to Hopscotch + $100 Doordash + $75 Uber gift card
- Punch Bowl Social Fun Package: $200 for Punch Bowl Social + $75 Uber gift card
- Portland Blazer Game Ticket Package: 4 Blazers tickets (approx $200 total) + $75 Uber gift card
- Three $100 Powell’s Bookstore Gift Cards
- Faculty and Staff Prizes:
- Four $100 Powell’s Bookstore Gift Cards
- Student Prizes
Come visit us in McAfee on the CAS campus during the school year. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 academic year. As you are likely aware, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released final regulations governing components of Title IX in May. We are pleased to announce the implementation of our new Title IX policy, effective August 1, 2024.
This policy reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of our community. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Our updated policy has been developed to enhance protections against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of sex discrimination, ensuring compliance with the latest federal regulations and best practices. (Incidents that occurred prior to August 1, 2024, will continue to be resolved under the prior Sexual Misconduct Policy.
As a result of the rapid turnaround required for implementation, the 2024-2025 Sexual Misconduct Policy was developed to serve as an interim policy for the academic year. During the 2024-2025 academic year, we will form a Title IX Policy task force to refine and finalize the policy and will hold multiple opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback and suggestions before crafting a finalized Sexual Misconduct Policy which will be implemented for the 2025-2026 academic year. This will allow us to remain compliant with federal regulations, while also giving us some additional time to gather community input.
We welcome your feedback about the new policy. To facilitate this, we will be convening at least two groups to gain a deeper understanding of the policy during the fall semester and to provide substantive feedback throughout the fall and spring semesters.
We are requesting that students, faculty, and staff who are willing to provide feedback to reach out to me directly (at lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu) by September 25 to join this working group. We anticipate that the working group will take approximately 4-5 hours a semester. We will also provide a survey in the spring semester for all campus constituents to complete, so that everyone has the opportunity to provide feedback, even if you are not able to participate in the working group.
Key components of the new policy include:
- Clear Definitions: Comprehensive definitions of prohibited conduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
- Reporting Procedures: Clear procedures for reporting incidents, ensuring privacy and support for all parties involved.
- Supportive Measures: A commitment to providing supportive measures for individuals affected by sexual misconduct.
- Fair Process: Equitable procedures for investigation and resolution of complaints, ensuring a fair process for all parties.
- Pregnancy Support: Additional resources available to those experiencing pregnancy.
We encourage all members of our community to familiarize themselves with the new policy and take advantage of the resources available. You can review the Title IX policy on our website.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Title IX Coordinator at lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu.
A message from Danielle Torres, Dean of Equity and Inclusion
As we wrap up a busy spring term, the Office of Equity and Inclusion would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible L&C staff and faculty campus-wide for their support and dedication to our collective equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. Your work and commitment help make our campus a better place for everyone. And a heartfelt congratulations to all students for completion of another successful year. To our recent graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the Law School–we honor your remarkable achievements and look forward to seeing all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the future.
We invite you to read on in this newsletter to catch up on our spring accomplishments and to learn more about exciting news for the upcoming summer months. We wish everyone an enjoyable and restful summer and thank you for being a part of our vibrant community!
- The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) remains dedicated to fostering a campus environment that promotes a sense of belonging and engagement through ongoing consultation, collaboration, and support for students, staff, faculty. More than ever, OEI has been working hard to respond to global, local, and personal events and experiences of our community by enacting and emphasizing inclusivity and care.
- The spring term included important time spent responding to our community needs in relation to the Israel-Hamas war to support students, groups, faculty, staff, while also collaborating with other campuses and community resources. We will spend time this summer continuing to develop resources that build robust support systems for all community members, support individuals’ freedom of expression as well as the fight against and to prevent antisemitism, Islamophobia and other discriminatory treatment.
- We encourage all community members to educate themselves about our Bias Assistance and Response Team (BART) report system. If you want to report a bias incident personally or confidentially, please use the form to alert campus offices. This summer, we are reviewing the 23-24 annual BART data to inform future practices and policy.
Happy Juneteenth! We are excited to celebrate this day of profound historical significance and collective reflection. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to secure and protect Blacks’ legal right to freedom. This freedom came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. This momentous day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
At Lewis & Clark, our campus community is dedicated to fostering an environment where all members can thrive. We proudly recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday for employees campus-wide. We stand firm in our resolve to advocate for equity, amplify marginalized voices, and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder progress. Despite the challenges we face, we remain committed to a mission to create a more just and inclusive society.
Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but also a call to action. It reminds us of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and the power of community in driving social change. We encourage everyone to actively participate in the various local events commemorating Juneteenth, by attending parades or festivals, library programs, learning about the Juneteenth Black Rodeo, or enjoying community maker markets here in Portland or in your local community. However you choose to observe Juneteenth, your involvement is a testament to our shared commitment to honoring African American resiliency and voices, while shaping a future rooted in equity and justice.
Let us use this time to reflect on the progress we have made, acknowledge the work that still lies ahead, and renew our dedication to advocating for liberation and equity for all. Together we can build a better society by learning from the lessons of our nation’s past and forging ahead with determination and thoughtful intent.
Happy Juneteenth 2024, and let’s celebrate freedom with joy and purpose!
- Dr. Danielle Torres
2024 Spring and Summer Updates
- Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to hold summer activities, so please be on the lookout for announcements about fun and engaging events, via our website or in the weekly staff/faculty email, The Source. ERGs are open to staff and faculty and aim to promote connection and community among employees. If you have an idea for a new ERG, please speak to Jaime Cale in our office.
- Along with the Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Office (IME), our office continued to provide monthly Inclusive Practice Strategies meetings this spring, where employees discussed workplace DEI challenges and offered new ideas to improve their respective work. Thank you to all who participated and supported one another in our collective campus work!
- Thanks to all who attended our Lunch & Learn gatherings for employees this term. Spring topics included York and Wellness. These discussions allowed for opportunities to engage across campus, highlight internal expertise, and provide invigorating discussion as a community.
- This Spring, the OEI and Human Resources launched a new campus-wide employee DEI professional development opportunity: The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Belong Community. This platform provides various learning opportunities for employees, including webinars, on-demand engagement resources, a community of practice, and a credentialed learning course. You can find these helpful resources on an ongoing basis in the weekly Source.
- OEI is sponsoring a Summer Book Club for all employees. Everyone is invited to join in reading and discussing this summer’s book, skin & bones by Renée Watson.
The OEI Office is open throughout the summer. Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with us anytime!
- Do Good Trouble Activism Workshop Series: Held a series of activism and advocacy skill-building workshops led by L&C staff, faculty, and students as part of MLK celebration week to kick off the spring term.
- Black History month, AAPI month, and Pride month: Celebrated campus-wide events to honor and highlight the many important contributions and resources within our diverse communities!
- Community Dialogues: Supported the President’s initiative to encourage dialogic strategies across many campus settings, including the first pilot group for a multi-session dialogue titled Race, Identity and Community, to develop understanding and build relational trust among community members.
- Mascot Survey: Encouraged everyone to take the Mascot Survey to make their voices heard and share their opinions, thoughts and experiences with the Pioneer mascot.
- Graduation Celebrations: Sponsored and participated in several wonderful events celebrating our deserving students as they prepared for spring graduations. It’s our favorite time of the year as we share in your joy and achievements, congrats to all!
- Alumni Weekend: Whether you are a recent or long-time alum, we hope we were able to welcome you back at Alumni Weekend this past June. OEI was present at various special events, including the Alumni of Color Reception and Juneteenth Commemoration. View some photos from our Alumni Weekend celebrations below.
As we wrap up the spring semester, you may have heard about or noticed media attention around new Title IX regulations. The U.S. Department of Education has issued updated regulations, which will require revisions to the Lewis & Clark Sexual Misconduct Policy. If you are interested in learning more, you can find the Department of Education’s Press Release, full regulation text, fact sheet, and summary document on their website.
The implementation deadline for the new regulations is August 1, 2024. Multiple campus offices, led by the Title IX staff in the Office of Equity and Inclusion, will be conducting a close review of the regulations and updating the Policy accordingly.
Sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination are unacceptable at Lewis & Clark, and we are committed to policies and processes that reduce – and ultimately eliminate – the harm of such behavior on our campus. We will update our policy and processes to remain in line with governmental regulations, while also meeting best practices for effective, supportive, and equitable investigation and adjudication of concerns, prioritizing the safety of our campus as well as equity, humanity, and respect for all parties.
To access the Title IX Office, please email me, titlenine@lclark.edu, or fill out a reporting form. Confidential resources can be found below:
- Confidential Advocates 503-768-7107
- Health Promotion and Wellness 504-768-8225
- Ombudsperson 503-768-7336
- Spiritual Life and Religious Support 503-768-7082
- Student Health Center 503-768-7165
- Student Counseling Center 503-768-7160; anytime the Counseling Service is closed, students can access our Crisis Counseling Service at 503-265-7804
- Employee Assistance Program 800-433-2320
If you have any questions or thoughts, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Lori Makin-Byrd
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Lewis & Clark College
(503) 768-6463
Juneteenth 2024 Alumni Weekend Commemoration
Message from the Dean
As the new fall term begins, I reflect on my first year as your Dean of Equity and Inclusion. It has been a busy and rewarding year of serving all members of our community: students, staff, and faculty at all three schools. We have initiated new supports and programming; implemented President Holmes-Sullivan’s initiatives; consulted and collaborated with numerous offices and departments across campus; reaffirmed our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community in light of the recent SCOTUS ruling; and are planning ahead for the new 2023-24 school year. We look forward to a wonderful year for all, and hope to see you out and about on the trails. Or come on over to say hi at McAfee (above the Mailroom)—we’d love to connect!
- Dr. Danielle Torres
L&C employees have shown interest in creating ERGs on campus. By the start of fall term we will likely have two groups up and running!
Check our website soon for information on our Multicultural/BIPOC group and our LGTBQIA+ group.
Employees interested in creating a new ERG are welcome to reach out!
We shared thoughts and connections related to her podcast, and plan to discuss her book, “Me and White Supremacy,” in the Fall.
I look forward to working with students this year in a variety of ways. As a first generation student mentor, working with student groups to plan unique and diverse events and continuing my work as a confidential advocate.
I am also looking forward to working with staff and faculty in inclusive practice workshops, trainings and committees.
Much of my work this fall will also be around revamping our BART system, and making the system more intentional, student-focused and restorative.
- Jaime Cale
Our office is always eager to participate in NSO activities. As part of the team that presents the Belonging at L&C Session, we want new students to know that the transition to college is a process for everyone—and we’re here to support you!
Get to know your resources and to take things one step at a time. We’re so glad you are here at L&C!
Welcome and welcome back! I’m Lori Makin-Byrd, the Interim Title IX Coordinator. I’ve been with Lewis & Clark since August 2022. My background is in Clinical Psychology; I previously served in a full-time faculty role at a small liberal arts college, similar to Lewis Clark. I also worked as a case manager for students of concern, which included assisting students who were experiencing a wide range of stressors. This included supporting survivors of relationship and sexual violence. This role also involved working with students who had been accused of violence, helping them navigate the investigation and hearing process.
My role is to assist individuals in the resolution of any reports that fall under our Sexual Misconduct Policy and work directly with students, faculty, and staff who raise concerns of discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence. I serve as a neutral person for all parties to ask questions of and to understand the process, without being concerned that it will impact an investigation or finding. In this work, I’m supported by a team of highly competent and engaged Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Janet Bixby, Associate Dean of the Graduate School; Libby Davis, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Law School; Elaine Hirsch, Associate Director of the Watzek Library; and Helen Howell, Associate Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer.
You’ll likely be hearing from me more this semester—there are predicted to be changes in laws surrounding Title IX in October. If you have questions—or ideas for future columns, feel free to reach out to lmakin-byrd@lclark.edu or titlenine@lclark.edu. You can also always book a time to meet with me at: https://grandriversolutionsevents.as.me/lori-makin.
- Lunch and Learns: every month OEI will host a lunch and learn about topics in the DEIJ field. Let us know if you would like to collaborate or cohost on a topic!
- Jointly hosted (with IME) new talks titled Faculty/Staff: Inclusive Practice Strategies to discuss classroom or office climate and inclusion. Check out the schedule on our website
- BIPOC Community Social to be held on Thursday, Sept 9 at 4pm. Jointly hosted with IME, we will welcome staff, students and faculty from all three campuses to kick off the school year! RSVP online for more info.
- First Generation Mentorship: This program (co-ran with IME) matches faculty, staff and alum with first generation students on campus. Mentorships will be year(s) long, with a focus on career and professional development for students.
- We’ll be at the annual Student Engagement Extravaganza (SEE Fair) so come & seek us out! We’ll be among the many offices & orgs welcoming students back.
Equity and Inclusion is located in room 116-117 of McAfee on the undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 145
voice 503-768-7186
email: diversityinclusion@lclark.edu
Equity and Inclusion
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219