Celebrating Women’s History and Our Commitment to DEI - Seton Hall University

The Seton Hall University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee stands with the Asian community to condemn the increased xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning and bullying against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders will not be tolerated at Seton Hall. Furthermore, we should strive to be active advocates, upstanders, and allies for marginalized groups. Being servant leaders means our integrity, compassion, and commitment to helping others is exhibited in the classroom, workplace, campus life, and beyond. See here to learn more.

March is Women's History Month, an annual celebration highlighting women's contributions from our past, present, and future. March 8 was International Women's Day, honoring women’s economic, political, and social achievements worldwide

• March 10 is Harriet Tubman Day honoring the anti-slavery activist who led hundreds of slaves to freedom.
• On Tuesday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m., join a student panel discussion on "Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Real Woman of Her Time—A Daughter, Wife, Mother, and Friend." Click here to attend the event.
• Save the date! The annual Seton Hall University Conference on Women and Gender will take place the week of March 22–26.
• Athletics introduces their She Can initiative, providing student-athletes with professional development, networking opportunities, and support throughout the academic year.
• Our women-centered student organizations include the National Council of Negro Women, Women of Diplomacy Leadership, SHU Women in Business, and sororities rich in history and sisterhood like Alpha Omicron Pi, Zeta Phi Beta, Chi Upsilon Sigma, and many others.

“There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.” - Robert M. Hensel.

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month. March 13 through April 15 is Deaf History Month commemorating the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

• Disability Support Services (DSS) Wellness Tip: Make weekly check-ins with family and friends outside of class, take time outside getting fresh air, or take a much-needed mental and physical break from schoolwork. When you return to schoolwork, you’ll feel re-energized and focused. Disability Support Services (DSS) is available to assist students with documented disabilities with increased access and accommodations. Reach out to [email protected] for more information. Looking for ways to help? DSS also hires course notetakers. You may receive an email if there is a notetaker need in a course you are attending. Please consider assisting a classmate by signing up.
• Learn more with the American Sign Language Deaf Culture Club and the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
• Check out this resource shared by Health Services on Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis.

Student Government Association can help fund DEI efforts for recognized student organizations and University academic departments, programs, and administration. SGA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant Opportunities allocate funding to initiatives and events related to the celebration of diversity and inclusion. Apply for DEI funding here.

Enjoy the First Annual SHU Contemplation Week from March 15 through March 19. This can be a moment to stop, breathe, and take care of yourself. There will be a series of events promoting mindfulness, contemplative practices, and pedagogy such as Yoga, Daily Contemplation, Meditation for the Classroom, Contemplative Pedagogy, and many others. For more information, contact Mary Balkun at [email protected].

Join Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology for its Lenten video reflection series "Praying the Stations of the Cross in the Year of St. Joseph." The series will guide you through spiritual reflection on the Stations of the Cross with themes relating to St. Joseph. A reflection will be offered each weekday, delivered via email. The series will run from March 1 through March 19, The Feast of St. Joseph. To register, please visit the Lenten Series webpage.

Other Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Items and Events:

March 10 at sundown begins Lailat al Miraj. This Muslim holiday commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's nighttime journey from Mecca to the “Farthest Mosque” in Jerusalem, where he was given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily.

March 11 is Maha Shivaratri, which is the annual Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the god Shiva. This festival is a significant celebration in Hinduism and marks the remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world.

• Housing & Residence Life Student Staff Appreciation Day – March 10
• Jaki, Science, and Chesterton - March 10 at 2 p.m.
• Scholar’s Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition - March 10 at 4 p.m.
• Clinical Nurse Leader Info session - March 10 at 5 p.m.
• Virtual Café con Joes: Mental Health – March 10 at 5 p.m.
• From Vulnerability to Passion: A Few Thoughts Sprung from Tears – March 11 at 4 p.m.
• “How I Got Here” Speaker Series – March 11 at 6 p.m.
• Russian Mardi Gras: Maslenitsa 2021 – March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
• Transfer Social - March 12 at 7 p.m.
• 26 Pebbles - March 11 – March 13 at 8 p.m.
• How to Work a Virtual Career Fair - March 15 at 6 p.m.
• Boost Your Career with the CFA - March 16 at 3 p.m.
• Graduate Student Association Trivia with prizes on March 16 at 7 p.m.

Coming Soon! St. Patrick’s Day festivities (March 17) and a SHU Reads! event from Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson (March 22).

The DEI Committee is responsible for helping to cultivate and nurture a trusting and collaborative University community that educates and empowers all its members to advance equity, inclusion, and social justice on campus and in the wider world. Please fill out this form if you are interested in sharing events, initiatives, ideas or looking to get involved.

Jonathan Farina, Ph.D.
Chair of the Faculty Senate
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Services
Co-chairs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee