Welcome to the 2019-2020 academic year
The Council for Equity and Community (CEC) welcomes you to the 2019-2020 academic year.
The CEC is made up of colleagues, classmates, mentors, and friends who share the goal of creating a more welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and equitable Lehigh. The CEC is an independent advisory board to the Vice President for Equity and Community, committed to serving as a campus resource in the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage constructive dialogue and work toward building a stronger campus community. Because Lehigh is an academic institution, the CEC also supports an environment in which students, faculty, and staff can discuss these difficult and complex topics.
Events on a local, national, and global scale often spark spirited discussions, and can be upsetting and stressful. Please don’t hesitate to connect with the numerous resources, both on- and off-campus, that can support you during difficult situations. For more information on available support resources, visit the Diversity & Inclusion website and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator’s Resources webpage.
It is noteworthy that, in his fall 2019 University Convocation address, President John Simon introduced “the year of shared responsibility,” a theme we believe is in line with our members’ commitment to the Lehigh community. During the academic year, the CEC will sponsor a series of campus events to encourage ongoing conversations about topics relating to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We encourage you to attend and to share your ideas with the CEC about how we can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment at Lehigh.
This year, the Council will again award grants to Lehigh student organizations, staff, and faculty working to build a more inclusive Lehigh. Learn more about the CEC’s grant-making efforts and how to apply here: https://www1.lehigh.edu/diversity/cec/funding.
We hope that you are excited to share in the evolution of Lehigh. As the year progresses, you can stay updated on our events and activities by visiting our website, https://www1.lehigh.edu/diversity/cec and our blog, http://cec.web.lehigh.edu. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our events throughout the year!
Best wishes for a successful and engaging semester.