UNI provost Jim Wohlpart continues to work toward fulfilling his promise of campus-wide change by offering webinar opportunities on diversity to university faculty and leaders.

“We’re all colleagues in this and trying to figure out how to do things better and different,” said Wohlpart.

The first webinar, “Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington on Training Staff to Respond to Racial Climate Challenges,” will take place Jan. 26, in the University Room in Mauker Union, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

According to Wohlpart, the webinar is intended to aid UNI faculty and leaders who have witnessed incidents on campus regarding discrimination, helping them to respond and turn these incidents into teachable moments.

An open discussion will take place after the webinar,  led by the Diversity Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of faculty, staff and students. According to Wohlpart, the 32-member committee responds and works with the Diversity and Inclusion Councils that advise the President.

The second webinar, “Yik Yak and Anonymous Social Media,” will take place in the University Room on Feb. 18 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wohlpart feels this will help the campus think proactively about the issues brought about by anonymous social media in order to prevent future incidents.

Wohlpart acknowledged that the webinars serve as the groundwork to the change the administration promised in the November open forum. He noted that this change will come in time, as it is a long process.

Among the changes sought on campus, Wohlpart hopes to integrate diversity into the university curriculum, educate students and create a diverse and inclusive culture.

“Honestly, I don’t know if they’ll really make that much of a difference,” said Christine Rogers, senior business management major.

Rogers feels that students could benefit from the webinars if they have personally witnessed the wrongdoings on campus but are unsure how to respond. She does not plan on attending the webinars, as she actively tries to persuade those around her to refrain from using hurtful language.

Cavan Finn, NISG senator for the college of business, was involved in the open forum that took place back in November. He feels that President Ruud and Provost Wohlpart are keeping their word to create change within the university’s culture.

Finn noted the great lengths the administration has taken to keep the student body informed via email with regard to the changes and newly formed goals on campus.

“This [the webinars] is another good step forward,” Finn said.

Finn plans to attend both webinars and encourages UNI students to do the same.

“If students show up, it shows faculty and staff that we really care about this issue. This is something we need to be at just to show our support,” Finn said.