ARC-IU strives to embrace diversity

In 2010, faculty members Joan Pong Linton, Valerie Grim and Arlene Diaz created Attention Reflection Connection IU, an organization geared toward promoting diversity on IU’s campus. ARC-IU defines inclusion as “a process that begins with acknowledging cultural differences — some visible, some not — and that makes understanding differences a common goal and common ground for inquiry.”

During its first spring semester, ARC-IU, at that time “ARC 2010!”, ran a series in February, March and April. February focused on attention, March on reflection, and April on connection.  

Although Linton said she thinks there are a number of efforts toward the promotion of diversity across campus, she also said she thinks there is still some way to go.
“It seems like most of the time we are still treading water,” Linton said. “This effort connects faculty, students and staff together. We hoped this would bring in a majority of faculty and students.”

The organization was first funded by a multidisciplinary ventures grant through the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

Jeffrey Holdeman became involved with ARC-IU in the spring of 2011. In the fall of 2011, ARC-IU had a call-out meeting in which members planned various projects for the year. Holdeman, the director of the Global Village Living Learning Center, is currently working on a project in conjunction with IU Residential Programs
and Services.

The project will consist of a handbook that will provide ways to help make residence halls more inclusive. Holdeman hopes the handbook can help students deal with conflict and can also provide assistance to international students living in
residence halls.

“The purpose is to enhance the diversity events that are already ongoing,” Linton said.
ARC-IU sponsors are typically determined on an event-by-event basis to help pay for its projects.