CW + 1956 Collab Edition

AUTUMN TAYLOR
‘OPEN ARMS’: IDC STAFF HAVE
HIGH HOPES FOR ITS NEW HOME
After four years tucked away on the edge
of campus, The University of Alabama
Intercultural Diversity Center (IDC)
packed its bags and moved into one of the
University’s biggest hubs—the Ferguson
Student Center.
The center, which features vast study
spaces and rotating exhibits on
inclusivity, had its grand opening on Oct.
14, when it officially welcomed students
into its new space on the second floor of
the Ferg.
Earlier in the summer, Vice President and
Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion G. Christine Taylor unveiled
the finalized plans for the new IDC to the
Black Alumni Association and was met
with cheers of support.
“There were ‘ooh’s’ and ‘ah’s’ and ‘I wish
we had something like that when I was in
school,” Taylor said.
LaToya Scott, the IDC’s interim
director and assistant vice president
of engagement and programming for
the Division of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion, had a story of her own involving
alumni support.
“A couple of days ago, I had a parent stop
by and talk about what a safe space looks
like for their child,” Scott said. “The
parent is an alumni of The University of
Alabama and they didn’t have a diversity
center when they went to school here. To
hear those stories and hear about how
excited they were for this place was very
impactful.”
The IDC is more than just a place for
socializing – it also serves as a place
for education, emotional support and
educational growth.
“It’s an example of how we are saying we
acknowledge the importance of diversity,
equity and inclusion,” Taylor said. “And
we acknowledge the value of creating safe
spaces for students, as well as culturally
informed spaces for students.”
One of the most defining new features
of the IDC is the history wall. It offers
an opportunity for “cultural teaching”
by highlighting landmarks and notable
moments of diversity and inclusion on
UA’s campus.
“It really makes the things people
talk about tangible,” Taylor said. “All
of it serves as an opportunity for
passive learning. Just because you’re
not in class, it doesn’t mean you’re
not learning something.”
There are learning opportunities all
across the space, some more obvious
than others. Just above the center’s
recognizable, red tinted glass panels are
words representing the driving goals
behind the IDC’s efforts: “collaboration,”
“passion” and “diversity.”
“It was a group effort to make sure that
we represented all constituencies on
campus,” Scott said. “We wanted our
campus to look at those words and think,
‘What do those words mean to me?’ To see
the students talk about it in the space is
very heartwarming.”
Collaboration is a key component of
success in the IDC. The center partners
with other campus organizations and
departments to bring the most enriching
experiences to students. The accessible
location, relaxing atmosphere and
comfortable furniture act as a great
environment for events of all kinds.
“Everything that happens in there is
not necessarily something that we’re
programming,” Taylor said. “Sometimes
there are areas that other groups are
programming because it’s just such a
great space.”
The space is home to monthly passive
programs, each highlighting another
group. Over ten student organizations
and four departments have already
booked some of the space for their own
events and programs.
“We are programming every day in some
shape, form or fashion” Scott said. “So
there’s a constant engagement in that
space.”
Students with little prior knowledge of
the IDC have already begun recognizing
the new space and asking questions.
Gracie Geddie, a junior majoring in
exercise and sport science, was aware of
the IDC prior to the new location but not
of any of its resources.
“I had heard of the IDC before, but I didn’t
know what all they did or what they had,”
Geddie said. “I only really knew their
name and that’s about it. But this space is
really nice, and I like it a lot.”
NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY 6
2016 2017
2018
20
We Are Done activists demand
UA provides a permanent safe
space for students of color in the
Ferguson Student Center
Intercultural Diversity Center
officially opened located in the
Riverside Annex