Diversity Month Events Celebrate Culture of Inclusiveness

Students from the UCSF School of Dentistry show their school spirit at the new student orientation fair on Sept. 24.

October is Diversity Month at UCSF, and the campus is celebrating with a series of events that highlight the University’s efforts to support talented and diverse faculty, staff and trainees.

This year’s theme, “Building Community at UCSF,” will be showcased throughout the month at gatherings that offer opportunities to network and exchange ideas.

“These events are so important for cultivating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment,” says Renee Navarro, PharmD, MD, vice chancellor of Diversity and Outreach. “I hope that the campus will join us in celebrating this wonderful opportunity in building a strong and diverse community at UCSF.”

Here is a list of key Diversity Month events:

First Generation 2 College Welcome Dinner

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 5-6:30 p.m. | Multicultural Resource Center (MU123W) on Parnassus campus

The newly formed First Generation College Student Initiative kicks off the academic year with an informal welcome dinner for new and continuing students. It’s an opportunity for individuals who were the first in their families to attend college or graduate school to meet and learn about the variety of resources available through this initiative. Attendees must RSVP for this free dinner by October 1.

Mission Bay Block Party

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 12-1:30 p.m. | Gene Friend Way on Mission Bay campus

This community-driven event, sponsored by Campus Life Services, features live music, lunch specials and prize giveaways. Coinciding with the weekly Mission Bay farmer’s market, the sixth annual block party also welcomes families with a special Kid Zone play area as well as a chalk art contest. The Office of Diversity and Outreach will staff a table at the block party to showcase their programs and resources.

National Coming Out Day Celebration

• Thursday, Oct. 11, 12-1:30 p.m. | Saunders Court, N-217, on Parnassus campus

This year’s 25^th annual celebration, centered around the theme of “Comfortable in Your Own Skin,” features the debut of UCSF’s “It Gets Better” video in which members of the campus community share personal stories and encouragement for the teens struggling with their sexual identity. The event includes campus organization outreach, raffle giveaways, rainbow cupcakes, as well as a panel discussion facilitated by Larry Lariosa of Student Health & Counseling with individuals discussing their coming out experiences. National Coming Out Day is internationally observed on the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. UCSF’s event is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Issues, the Gay Straight Dental Alliance and the LGBTQ Student Association.

Health Disparities Research Symposium

• Friday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Laurel Heights Conference Center

This sixth annual symposium highlights important work being done by UCSF researchers on the gaps in the quality of health and health care across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Anne Beal, MD, MPH, chief operating officer of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will give the keynote address at the symposium, which also will include oral presentations and a poster session. Space is limited, so those interested in attending must RSVP by October 3.

University Community Partnerships Celebration

• Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m. | Millberry Union Conference Center on Parnassus campus

University Community Partnerships holds this fourth annual event to celebrate its successes in building collaborative relationships between UCSF and the community. UCP will honor individuals with Excellence in Partnership Awards, and attendees will be treated to live performances as well as hors d’ouevres and beverages.  Attendees must RSVP by October 15.

LGBTQ Student Mixer

• Friday, Oct. 19, 5:30-8 p.m. | Rooftop of Bakar Fitness and Recreation Center on Mission Bay campus

All students are welcome to this third annual event sponsored by the LGBTQ Student Association, Student Health & Counseling and Gay Straight Dental Alliance. The event is a great networking opportunity, with live performances, food and wine, a raffle, a photo booth and free rock-climbing between 6 and 7 p.m. RSVP to [email protected] by Tuesday, Oct. 16. 

Attendees of the July 17 pre-grand opening of the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center are welcomed with a more than a dozen different languages.

Multicultural Resource Center Grand Opening

• Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. | Multicultural Resource Center (MU123W) on Parnassus campus

The center, which opened its doors over the summer, welcomes new students and the rest of the campus community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and plaque commemoration led by Vice Chancellor Navarro and the center’s director, Mijiza Sanchez. Campus Life Services will provide food, wine and music for the grand opening event.

Photos by Susan Merrell