ILR News Center

As part of the university-wide celebration from September 26-30 on Cornell's Statement on Diversity and Inclusiveness, "Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds", ILR students, faculty, and staff decorated a diversity arch, located at the main entrance to the Ives Building on Tower Road.  The arch reflects ILR's own broad range of diversity.

ILR students, including Minority ILR Student Organization’s Shekhinah L. Jay and ILR Student Government’s Laurie J. Riester, worked with ILR staffers Marsha Cox, Ellen Marsh, Shammi Carr, and Brenda Hans along with countless other students, faculty, and staff members to decorate ILR’s arch.  The decorated arch combines two concepts created by the students:  one was to create a timeline of ILR’s  historical progression through the changing workplace as it related to diversity, and the other was to create a series of puzzle pieces that at first did not fit, but by the end of the arch, fit neatly into place.  You will see all of these images and puzzle pieces on the outside of the arch.

The inside of the arch has puzzle pieces that contain photos of ILR’s faculty, staff, and students.  The outer side of the arch allows for the entire ILR community to sign the arch in a show of support for diversity. 

All arches on campus will be judged throughout the week with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.  Good luck to ILR!

In addition, students and staff donated their time to sit at ILR’s two vendor tables during the Diversity Boulevard exhibit on Ho Plaza.  On display were brochures showcasing ILR’s student and outreach activities, and many people stopped by to visit and to take a free gift.

Other university diversity events include:

• A major campus address and reception
• Diversity Boulevard on Ho Plaza, with student organizations and vendors, on Tuesday, September 27, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• A special flavor of Cornell ice cream for the occasion
• Focus group discussions on the statement and how we can further advance diversity and inclusiveness
• The colleges and units will be competing to decorate their “Open Door” to best reflect the broad range of diversity in their respective college/unit.  A first, second, and third place winner will be selected.

For more information, please visit the University's statement on diversity and inclusiveness and "Fifth anniversary of Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds" (Cornell News Service).