Equity, diversity conference registration deadline nearing

Improving cultural competency and work force diversity in universities, workplaces and communities are major goals of the sixth annual Equity and Diversity Conference. The conference, titled "Multicultural Students, Staff and Faculty: Culturally Competent Leaders in Education, the Workplace and the Community," takes place Feb. 6-7 in the University Union.

The conference is geared toward university, community college, high school, community and industry representatives who focus on increasing diversity and cultural competency in their organizations and communities as a whole.

Carmelita Pope Freeman, regional director for the Department of Justice Community Relations Service in Dallas, will deliver the Feb. 7 lunch address on diversity in the workplace. Numerous breakout sessions and networking opportunities will be available throughout the pre-conference and conference.

Pre-conference workshops and evening programs that emphasize awareness and understanding of cultural differences are available from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the University Union. Two daytime workshop options are available: cultural competency training or resolving interpersonal and intergroup conflict.

Representatives of the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission will facilitate in-depth discussions of six cultures as part of the cultural competency training. The North Texas Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute will present the Controversial Issue Process during the conflict resolution training. This process trains leaders to deal constructively with conflict and encourages cooperation among the involved parties.

Faculty and staff may attend the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission's cultural competency training pre-conference workshops for $75 or the North Texas Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute's conflict resolution training for $50. The faculty and staff fee for the main conference is $75. The evening program Feb. 7 is free and open to the public.

Conference registration deadline is Jan. 31. Complete information and a registration form may be found at www.unt.edu/edo/E&DConf.htm. Return the form by fax to (940) 369-7577 or by mail to University of North Texas, Equity and Diversity Conference, Division of Equity and Diversity, P.O. Box 310937, Denton, Texas 76203-0937. Fees may be paid by check, money order, purchase order or IDO.

BY MELODY GILBERT kreese@unt.edu

Other web resources

• Equity and Diversity Conference web site

Other featured articles in this issue

• New campaign promotes UNT license plates and scholarships
• Women at work: Habitat for Humanity calls for Women Build volunteers
• Rafes named senior vice president for administration
• Pohl addresses golf course development issue
• UNT offers support system to employ people with disabilities
• Rafes speaks to Staff Council about salaries, staffing levels, legislative session
• UNT to sponsor Leadership Texas participant
• Gu creates new installation during residency
• UNT scholars win four Rotary scholarships

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