Equity + Inclusion Initiatives, Programs and Resources

LCAD is actively working with Michelle Meyers, a professional Restorative Justice consultant, who is collaborating with our Chief Operations Officer, faculty and the Equity + Inclusion Council to collect, understand, and address input and concerns. For more info on Michelle, click HERE

NEXT STEPS: Ms. Meyers is in the process of planning staff, alumni and faculty forums. The dates and times of these forums will be announced as soon as they are scheduled. Phase I of the process will continue to include virtual forums with students, alumni, staff and faculty. In Phase II, based on the learning and feedback from Phase I, Ms. Meyers will help to identify and plan next steps.

UPDATE: On June 26^th, Ms. Myers held a student forum; on August 27^th, she met with alumni. Although there were some differences between the concerns of the two groups, she found that students and alumni expressed a need for greater transparency and honest communication with administration and faculty. The groups also strongly advocated for greater diversity among faculty, staff and trustees. They felt that more professional training should be developed around the issues of equity and racism at the school. They also believe that the school must cultivate a greater sense of community and culture of care by recognizing the harm done in the past and by showing care for BIPOC and students with disabilities. Students also wanted to see an increase in the number of clubs and school organizations. Since the fall, Black students have created a Black Students Union, and an International Students Club has been started.

NEXT STEPS FOR THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROJECT: Ms. Myers is planning a second student forum in March 2021. The Equity Inclusion Council members and Ms. Myers believe that student voices are crucial to the entire process and would like to hold a regularly a scheduled annual student forum. Ms. Myers will also lead a faculty/staff forum in January before the start of the spring semester.

These two forums will allow us to assess steps taken since summer and to discuss other ways to improve the campus climate.

LCAD is working with an Equity Leadership Coach to assist the Chief Operating Officer in creating and implementing structural changes related to equity and inclusion on campus.

NEXT STEPS: The Leadership Coach will work with the Chief Operating Officer to analyze hiring and HR practices as they relate to equity and inclusion.

In June 2020, LCAD held an information-gathering forum with approximately 130 faculty and staff members. We listened to comments that helped guide us toward the next steps outlined on this page. Subsequently, our Restorative Justice Consultant also organized and held a student forum that elicited valuable information from concerned students.

NEXT STEPS: The Equity + Inclusion Council, along with our Restorative Justice Consultant and Alumni Affairs Manager, will be holding an alumni discussion forum on Thursday, August 27^th, at 6:30pm. Alumni will be contacted with additional information and participation instructions.

UPDATE: An Alumni Forum was hosted by the EIC and Ms. Myers. Alumni expressed their hopes and concerns, which are being addressed through the strategies of the Restorative Justice Project. Alumni sought ways to assist in the positive changes being made at LCAD.

One of the most important student concerns emerging out of the forums was a greater need for financial and decision-making transparency. To that end, the Board of Trustees invited a student representative to attend board meetings on a regular basis, thus allowing the student to witness the decision-making process within the board.  Along the same lines, the staff published and circulated to students a general breakdown of its budget categories and expenditures.

LCAD is launching a Fine Arts Virtual Exhibition in late August. Entitled “Artists Unite: A Virtual Exhibition and Fundraiser to Honor Black Lives Matter,” the exhibition features donated work created by students, alumni, faculty, staff and trustees. Proceeds from sales of the artwork will go directly to LCAD’s Equity + Inclusion Scholarship, Black Art Futures Fund (BAFF) and Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA).

NEXT STEPS: The exhibition runs August 31^st through October 30^th, 2020.

UPDATE: The successful virtual exhibition realized proceeds from sale of the artwork totaling nearly $4,000. The funds are being split between the LCAD Equity + Inclusion Scholarship and the Black Art Futures Fund (BAFF). LCAD’s Equity + Inclusion Scholarship will be awarded to Black students.

The LCAD Board of Trustees serves as the College’s governing board. Trustees are volunteers dedicated to the long-term success and financial health of the College. The LCAD Board of Trustees is actively recruiting members from under-represented populations.

NEXT STEPS: The Equity + Inclusion Council is in the process of recommending educational and training resources for the Board.

UPDATE: In October, the Board of Trustees welcomed Lasana Hotep, founding Executive Director of the Equity Institute who also serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) at the University of California, Berkeley. He led them through a vibrant, interactive session on the topic of unconscious racial bias and on ways to address lack of equity in higher education.

We are revising our Complaint Process to ensure a more transparent and collaborative approach. The types of complaints include, but are not limited to:

1. Academic concerns and faculty issues
2. Staff concerns
3. Discrimination, harassment, retaliation, violence and safety as addressed under state and federal law

4. Violations of the LCAD Student Code of Conduct

NEXT STEPS: The expanded complaint process will include mediation services provided by an ombudsman/consultant specializing in conflict resolution. The Board of Trustees will be consulted during the review and establishment of policies that deal with complaints.

UPDATE: The Equity + Inclusion Council has been working with the Provost to create a student complaint process that is clear, easy to follow and addresses the different types of concerns that students might have. Student Government representatives have been consulted, as has the Black Students Union. As of this date, the document has gone through several reviews by the EIC, the faculty, and student groups. Version one is in the final stages of revision and will be updated as needed. This document can be found on the website and will be hyperlinked to a complaint form.