Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Dear Golden Eagles,

As we are in the season of Thanksgiving, I want to give my thanks to everyone who completed the Viewfinder Campus Climate Survey. Your feedback is invaluable and will aid in our efforts to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment for all members of our community by cultivating a strong sense of belonging.

I also want to thank members of the campus climate survey committee and our colleagues who helped promote and encouraged others to complete the survey. We couldn’t have done this without you!

Over the coming weeks, the committee will begin to analyze the data as well as develop a communication plan to share the results across the institution. More information to follow.

Finally, I will announce the campus climate survey raffle winners in the Daily Eagle and/or Things to Know. Individual raffle winners will be contacted directly by a member of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including information on how to collect their prize.

Entering the Holiday Season

The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion would like you to be mindful of the various holidays that may be observed in the coming weeks. While Christmas tends to be the most visible of these holidays it is far from the only one being celebrated. We encourage everyone to share their traditions with members of the community and be open to learning about the other traditions. Additionally, please be inclusive in your holiday greetings, celebrations, and office decorations, particularly if your office is public facing or in an open space.

Below is a short list of the holidays taking place in the coming days and weeks.

• Hanukkah-December 14-22, 2025
• Winter Solstice/Yule-December 21, 2025
• Christmas-December 25, 2025
• Kwanzaa-December 26, 2025 – January 1, 2026

SUNY Brockport recognizes the diverse faith traditions represented among its campus community, as well as those who do not practice a faith tradition, and supports the rights of faculty, staff, and students to observe or not according to these traditions.

A Note from Charlotte Wade
Assistant Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Inclusion at Holiday Gatherings:

The holiday season is coming up fast, and with it, a variety of celebrations and gatherings. As we prepare to spend time with friends, family, and colleagues, it’s a great moment to reflect on how we can make our spaces welcoming for everyone. Here are a few tips for hosting inclusive and thoughtful holiday gatherings.

• Remember that people have different holiday, religious, and cultural traditions. Do not assume that everyone celebrates or has plans for a particular holiday.
• Be mindful of dietary restrictions and allergies. Label foods with allergens.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverage options.
• Avoid commenting on someone else’s body or size, even if you believe it’s a compliment. Keep comments about what someone is eating or not eating to yourself. Refrain from “diet talk” or saying that certain foods are “good” or “bad.”
• Provide accessibility information with your invitation. For example, “there is one flight of stairs to enter my apartment.”
• Keep in mind that not everyone has positive relationships with family or a place to be invited for the holidays. Consider including someone new.
• Take time to learn about and appreciate holidays you did not grow up celebrating.

Upcoming Events

December 5, 2025
Virtual Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series
Supporting Students in Distress
Presented by: Rachel Grzejka, Case Manager Student Affairs
12:20-1:10 pm

December 7, 2025
Jewish Affinity Group’s: Pre-Hanukkah Hanukkah Party
4:30 pm, SUNY Brockport’s Alumni House
RSVP to Dr. Lauren Lieberman

December 9, 2025
Crafting and Coco with the Chief Diversity Officer
1:00 -2:00 pm
Seymour Union, Room 220

December 12, 2025
Virtual Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series
EDI Reflections from the Semester
Presented by: Charlotte Wade, Assistant Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
12:20 -1:10 pm