Ohio University

Registration and Hotel Information | About the Facilitator | SIDE Testimonials

About SIDE

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion will hold the 4th Annual Summer Institute for Diversity Education (SIDE) May 14-17, 2013. The first program of its kind in southeastern Ohio, SIDE is a 30-hour curriculum session that uses intercultural communication techniques to promote cross-cultural learning and builds diversity education and facilitation skills.

Launched in 2009, SIDE is designed to promote cross-cultural understanding and inclusiveness, while addressing the needs of campus, local and regional professionals who are interested in and committed to advancing mutual understanding and cultural competence. While based on a college campus and targeting college and university faculty, staff and students, SIDE is open to community members as well.

2013 Agenda Highlights

SIDE is designed to empower and train participants to effectively manage cross-cultural communication, implement diversity programming and facilitate diversity education opportunities. The curriculum includes low, moderate and high level experiential learning exercises followed by facilitation processing. Specific learning outcomes include:

• Empower participants with resources and professional networks to provide diversity programming to their campus and local communities
• Engage participants in multimodal learning activities to create a heightened awareness of how historical, social and structural dimensions affect contemporary intergroup relations
• Provide participants with experience serving as diversity educators

The Institute further demonstrates Ohio University's (OHIO) commitment to diversity among its students, faculty and staff while recognizing that our differences contribute to our strength as an academic institution.

Intended Audience

Participants are strongly encouraged to facilitate diversity education training sessions after the 2013 Summer Institute. Upon completion of the 30-hour curriculum participants will receive a professional development certificate in diversity training, and earn 3 continuing education units.

Facilitator Biography

SIDE facilitator, Dr. Mark P. Orbe, is an internationally known educator, author and consultant/trainer. He is currently a faculty member at Western Michigan University in the School of Communications, where his areas of expertise include interpersonal communication, communication and diversity, and intercultural communication. His expertise in culture and communication, and knowledge of southeastern Ohio have led to this uniquely designed program which seeks to increase the understanding of how enhancing facets of diversity will positively impact Ohio, the Midwest and the nation.

Participant Outcomes

SIDE participants have facilitated a number of diversity education initiatives on campus for faculty, staff, students and the surrounding Athens community.

• Brown Bag Series designed for OHIO employees
• Diversity Essentials, a joint initiative between Diversity and Inclusion and University Human Resources (UHR) Leadership and Staff Development intended for select university units and community members
• SIDE-STARS Training, an interactive training that engage members of the student group, Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS)
• Diversity training with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs
• Division of Student Affairs, Conference Style Divisional; and Athens Town Hall Meeting on the topic of diversity and civility

Throughout the year certified trainers continue to implement professional development plans developed during SIDE by facilitating various diversity education initiatives and incorporating SIDE principles into classroom pedagogy.

Registration

• A registration fee of $300.00 covers access to all sessions, resource manual, an opening dinner, daily continental breakfast and lunch.
• The program has been approved for 3 continuing education units (CEUs) by eLearning OHIO to those who wish to obtain this recognition for participation.
• Interested participants should register online here. If you have any question, please call 740-593-2431. Registration closes on April 30th, 2013 at 5pm.
• Scholarships are available to support students and community members.
• Interested participants should register and make hotel reservations online at www.ohio.edu/diversity/side/index.cfm.

Hotel Reservations

Rooms may be reserved at the Holiday Inn Express in Athens. The room rate for the Institute is $85.00 per night and the group code is "SID." The reservation deadline is April 30 2013. To make reservations at the Holiday Inn Express, visit their online registration page or contact them at the number below:

Holiday Inn Express
555 East State Street
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 592-4640

SIDE Training Site/Location

Ohio University Human Resources and Training Center (HRTC)
Room 141/145

Contact Information

Amanda Howery                       
Administrative Assistant                  
Provost Office                         
313 Cutler Hall                              
1 Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701                         
(740) 593-2617                             
howerya@ohio.edu 

Stephanie Sanders, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Diversity and Inclusion
006 Cutler Hall
1 Ohio University           
Athens, OH  45701           
(740) 593-0006
sanders1@ohio.edu