In June of 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17, banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at publicly funded universities. Amidst this change, Trinity’s student diversity and inclusion office (SDIO) began to re-evaluate the meaning of diversity in their offices.
This year, SDIO became known as the student inclusion and belonging (SIB) office. Jessica Montenegro, assistant director of SIB emphasized that the change can clear any confusion regarding the differences between diversity and inclusion.
“[At my previous institution] a lot of student leaders were using diversity interchangeably with inclusion. It was very much a token,” Montenegro said. “Vernā Myers has this great quote: ‘diversity is about being invited to the party, and inclusion is about being asked to dance.”
Alicia Moreno, director of SIB noted that while the SIB office prioritizes inclusion, they also said that other campus areas can incorporate it.
“Inclusion goes beyond just making these spaces, having these programs, but how can our office impact what is happening in classrooms?” Moreno said. “How can we come at this from a collective effort across campus, and it not just be the sole responsibility of the people who do inclusion work, right?”
While the name change was encouraged by student affairs, SIB also sought input from student organizations. Jessica Montenegro, assistant director of SIB, discussed speaking with identity-based groups when she first arrived on campus in the spring.
“There was a lot of thought behind the reevaluation of our office, especially with Dr.Moreno coming in,” Montenegro said. “Speaking with our culture and identity-based groups, really understanding their need and wants of support and services from our office.”
Shea Bedminster, junior computer science major and Black Student Union vice president, noted that Trinity incorporates student backgrounds in the events they host.
“I do believe that Trinity will still continue to include and push for diversity, equity, everything,” Bedminster said. “I see them putting on more events for students and in different organizations. I’m excited to see how this year will go.”
In the past SDIO has hosted a variety of events, including ones for Women’s History Month or first-generation students, and Montenegro assured that these types of events will continue.
“We hope our students view our office as what we want it to be, an extra advocacy point for them and a resource for them and a space for them,” Montenegro said. “The name has changed, but our goal is to continue to advocate for the students and be a resource and be here for our students.”
