Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy

The MSU Denver Department of Art represents a diverse community of individuals who study, teach, create, and advocate for art and design. As the Department of Art expands our understanding of our commonalities and differences, we remain committed to:

• Respecting the dignity and essential worth of all individuals,
• Fostering mutual respect, including respecting the privacy, property, and agency of others,
• Examining and challenging our own biases and beliefs,
• Promoting the diversity of opinions, ideas, and backgrounds which enriches the culture of the department, college, and the university,
• Standing against bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation,
• Working towards an inclusive and equitable curriculum that fosters an environment of respectful dialogue,
• Appreciating diversity and inclusion as a collaborative work-in-progress.

A message from the MSU Denver Department of Art’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Dear MSU Denver Art Department Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We write this message as members of the MSU Denver Department of Art’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. At this point, you may have read the May 29 email and Early Bird article from Dr. Michael Benitiz, MSU Denver’s Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, regarding George Floyd’s death and ensuing protests across the country.

We, too, are saddened and enraged by the continued violence against black people at the hands of the police and the systemic racism that makes such acts all too common. Within the Department of Art, we stress that we are fully committed to fostering diversity in our teaching, our curriculum, and our interactions as creatives. You will find the Department of Art’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy below for more information on this.

For our students of color, we reiterate and amplify Dr. Benitiz’s message: “Know that your Roadrunner family is here to support you. These violent incidents that capture our national attention are not OK. Neither are the instances of racial bias you face every day because of your skin color. We recognize that and want to provide a safe, inclusive environment for everyone at MSU Denver.”

We would like to add that as creatives, you each offer the world a valuable perspective: the ability to see and reflect upon the world, and the means to convey this sensitivity through study of and engagement in the arts. Please know that what you offer is important, now more than ever. Please know that as a Department we recognize and affirm your narrative and experiences. Please know that you are not alone in this.

In solidarity,
Department of Art Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Leslie Boyd, Elle Cross, Jade Hoyer, Adriana Kilday, Sandy Lane, Summer Trentin