Diversity and Pluralism

Naropa University has a strong commitment to diversity
in all of its forms. Diversity is central to a liberal arts and contemplative education at Naropa University.The university continually works toward strengthening the campus climate for diversity, the teaching and learning environment, student services support areas and related institutional policy.

Diversity-related events on campus include a speaker series, faculty colloquia, faculty diversity workshops and antiracism workshops.Additionally, students are encouraged to join student organizations that include Students of Color Support Group, Allies in Action and the International Students Group.The El Centro de la Gente Committee oversees Naropa’s multicultural center and sponsors events to raise awareness of diversity issues. Tendrel, Naropa’s journal of diversity issues, is published during the spring semester.

Through Student Affairs, the Office of Americans with
Disabilities supports students with disabilities and helps
provide auxiliary aids and academic accommodations
for those who qualify. Naropa University has developed a statement that supports an incusive community and ultimately a proactive and engaged learning environment for diversity.

Naropa University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus community. Hate speech, hate propaganda, religious intolerance, racist and homophobic actions have no place and will not be tolerated at Naropa University.We at Naropa seek to build a safe and compassionate community that appreciates the many forms of diversity: ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, disability, gender, class and other group affiliations. As a community, we acknowledge and are enriched by the distinct historical experiences and social conditions of all of these groups, and of individuals belonging to them.We welcome the presence of all and are committed to the ongoing creation of a fully inclusive community at Naropa.

Key positions providing leadership for
diversity include:

Suzanne Benally, associate vice president for academic affairs & senior diversity officer, is responsible for comprehensive oversight of diversity initiatives at Naropa; policy work at the senior staff level; faculty and curriculum development for diversity; and academic assessment. 303-245-3525; sbenally@naropa.edu

Neha Mahajan, student life diversity coordinator, is
responsible for supporting and advocating for students of color and other underrepresented groups on campus. She also coordinates diversity events, trainings and student groups through Student Affairs and El Centro de la Gente. 303-245-4614; nmahajan@naropa.edu

Sandhya Luther, assistant dean of students/LGBTQIA student advocate, works at the grassroots level with students, faculty and staff through the El Centro de la Gente Committee on events and activities that raise awareness and increase sensitivity to our diversity needs as a Naropa community.

Robert Cillo, dean of students, is responsible for the
creation and maintenance of a supportive, educational
and community atmosphere for students. He is campus
ombudsperson, with a strong interest in working with
students, faculty and staff around pluralism and diversity, as well as the Americans with Disabilities coordinator for Naropa, responsible for all ADA issues, concerns and accommodations. 303-546-3506; bcillo@naropa.edu.

The disability services coordinator is responsible for Naropa’s effort to provide full access to educational, cultural and other programs sponsored by the university for any qualified student with a disability. 303-245-4749

Beth Shaw, International Student Advisor.
2nd floor of library. 303-546-3592.

Campus Life Diversity Information:

El Centro de la Gente: Naropa's multicultural center, is located in Sycamore Hall, just north of the student lounge. For more info about the center, contact Neha Mahajan.

El Centro de la Gente Committee oversees the center and puts on educational and support activities for underrepresented populations and allies.

White Allies: Discussion/action group for people unlearning racism and learning to be advocates for people of color.
Angie Waszkiewicz 303-546-3581

Students of Color Support Group
Neha Mahajan 303-245-4795

International Students Group
world@naropa.edu, beth@naropa.edu.

Tendrel: Naropa's journal of diversity issues.

Cultural Appropriation Policy:

Working Definition. Cultural appropriation is the taking or use of elements of another people's culture. Where there is an unequal distribution of money, education and political power between groups of people, as there is here in the United States, it is common for cultural exchange and appreciation to turn into cultural appropriation, in which a member or members of the more powerful group use what they have borrowed, taken or learned from the less powerful group in an inappropriate, disrespectful, exploitative or destructive way, whether with conscious intention to do so or not.

Policy. In keeping with its mission to bring traditions of wisdom into the curriculum of modern education while cultivating mindfulness, awareness and heart, Naropa University is committed to respectful and responsible engagement with such traditions. It is the policy of the university that planning of all courses, programs and events sponsored by the university will include vigilance for irresponsible, insensitive or otherwise improper use of customs, lore, ceremonies, rituals, teachings and other materials belonging to or identified with particular cultural or ethnic groups. The university will be responsive to concerns raised regarding issues of cultural appropriation through a formal procedure of registering, investigating and attempting to resolve such concerns.

Naropa University as a whole and its academic departments in particular are responsible for engaging the staff, faculty and students in education about the ethical issues regarding cultural appropriation and the curricular oversight necessary to ensure that awareness of these issues is sustained.

The policy also contains a complaint procedure, which can be found in the student handbook.