In an email to the Saint Mary’s College student body on Thursday evening, Redgina Hill, vice president for belonging, announced that the Division for Inclusion and Equity would be relabeled the Division for Belonging. Another name change occurred for the Office for Student Equity, which was renamed to the Office for Student Empowerment (OSE). The name change was reflected on the College’s website.
Hill wrote that the change is “a reflection of the heart of our mission: creating a campus where every student, faculty, and staff member knows they are seen, valued, and supported, and believes they belong to our community.”
The OSE continues to hold the same responsibilities and services that it held under its former name, including the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, Belles Connect programming and annual campus events. It also retains responsibility over the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services, with no future changes known for that department.
The email announced promotions and new positions for two faculty members on campus within their respective fields. Eli Williams will become a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, a two year role. Additionally, Liz Baumann, Title IX officer for the past five years, now holds a new role as the Director for Harassment Education and Response.
The announcement of the name change follows the reveal two weeks ago that Notre Dame’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion would be retitled the Sister Thea Bowman Center. Neither of the institutions have made an official press release regarding the changes.
