Mississippi University for Women’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council invites The W campus community to participate in its first ever W UNITY Project Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 29.
W President Nora Miller said, “The W UNITY Project is the first campus project promoted by the newly appointed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council. I commend their work in developing an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to come together and be unified as a campus. Our identities are who make us who we are, and this is an opportunity to celebrate individuality while also recognizing that together ‘We are The W.'”
The interactive public art project, known as UNITY, is based on the work of Nancy Belmont. Belmont’s project was selected for its potential to draw attention, encourage engagement and give representation to every member of The W community.
Thirty-two posts will stand in a circle near Bryan Green Gazebo, all but one representing a different social role or identity, personal trait or worldview. The 32nd pole will be a blank slate, and participants will be able to write in an additional identifier they feel is important to their sense of self. Each person will select the poles that represent the various aspects of their identity and will string blue yarn from one to the other, creating a crisscrossing pattern. Highlighting the multiple identities that intersect to make each person unique, the project demonstrates how each layer of an individual’s identity connects them to a different subset of the community in such a way that all of the subsets are ultimately connected to form a larger whole.
Volunteers from the DE&I Council will be on hand to answer questions and ensure compliance with public safety guidelines.
How to participate
Anyone can participate, but different segments of the community are encouraged to take part in one of three waves.
The Council asks students to participate Tuesday, Oct. 27; faculty, staff and other campus personnel Wednesday, Oct. 28; and alumni and community members Thursday, Oct. 29. The completed exhibit will be displayed throughout the day Friday, Oct. 30, but those who were unable to participate on the earlier days will also be welcome to take part in the project that day. Times for the noted dates will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. If you would like to participate in the UNITY Project virtually, email [email protected] and a member of the Council will be in touch to allow you to do so. In the event of rain, the project will remain open until Friday.
Miller established the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council this fall to promote equity, diversity and inclusion on campus through increasing self-awareness and facilitating intercultural competence.
The Council includes representatives from various departments, Faculty Senate, Staff Council and the Student Government Association.
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