by Sarah Knapp
MARTIN – From the renewed fight against racism to a worldwide pandemic threatening the health and welfare of people everywhere, UT Martin has continued to serve its students, faculty, staff and community through its dedication to safety and inclusion.
“The University of Tennessee at Martin condemns racism, threats or violence of any sort,” Chancellor Keith Carver wrote in a campus email. “We strive to be a place where our community members can study, gather, learn and play without fear or threat of violence and oppression.”
UT Martin is committed to providing an open and welcoming campus, which is why an inclusion task force was formed under the five-year Strategic Plan, implemented in 2018, to ensure the campus is diverse and inclusive for all.
Mark McCloud was hired as a chief diversity and inclusion officer and began his duties on Aug. 1. He is responsible for developing a comprehensive cultural competency plan for faculty, staff and students in order to promote institutional diversity and inclusion.
McCloud also will be responsible for providing oversight to the chancellor’s cabinet concerning campus issues related to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging, as well as partnering with the university community to implement programs, like a multicultural center for underrepresented student groups and Captain’s Courageous Conversations, a forum to discuss topics such as race and equality, to foster diversity and increase minority retention rates.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the globe, UT Martin has prepared to treat the virus itself and the negative side effects the pandemic could have on the university’s community’s mental health.
When the university’s Student Health and Counseling Services established a free 24/7 mental health crisis, it didn’t forget about faculty and staff. UT Martin employees have access to a variety of mental health and emotional well-being resources through the Employee Assistance Program, including online counseling services such as Talkspace and Sanvello.
Tags: Diversity, UT Martin
