Diversity & Inclusion at UT
Diversity and inclusion is something I hold near and dear to me. Here at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville it is important that we value one another and everything each individual brings to the univeristy. One of my main milestones is to create a diverse and inclusive Tennessee where everyone is represented, respected, and appreciated for all of their differences.
Representation matters. When you can see yourself, culture, or views expressed through different outlets on campus whether that be inside the classroom, outside the classroom, or an event on being held on campus you are more likely to become invested and involved on campus, which in return helps make you as a student less likely to transfer, or drop out of college. Two ways I would like to help increase representation in the student body and faculty are by the writing of two legislative bills, one calling for the University's increased investment in minority recruitment of students to help increase the diversity on campus, and another bill calling on the University to increase the number of minority professors represented throughout the school. I feel these two bills will help create a more diverse campus and allow people to interact with more people who have a different cultural background on campus making them better prepared for the real world. This is a long-term goal but one I want to start laying a solid foundation for here at UT so that future Volunteers will get to interact with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff inside the classroom, outside the classroom, at events on campus, and throughout any other outlet on campus.
When it comes to inclusivity on campus, everyone who steps on this campus should feel wanted and a part of the Tennessee family. Through recent actions over the past few years different communities have felt isolated on campus, and that must change if we are to move into a brighter future and direction as a university. That is why as President I will work to implement Safe Zone training, Diversity Education training, and Volunteer Speak Up in all FYS 101 classes in some way, shape, form, or fashion. Everyone is different, and learning how to interact with all types of people is important, and something we should require our first-year students to start thinking about and learning when they first get here. Diversity is important but the next step to creating an impactful university in all facets is to acknowledge and accept everyone on campus, and realize that we are all a part of One UT even if we all are not the same. Inclusivity is important to me, and I want to find and create ways to make not only SGA, but campus as inclusive as possible.
Diversity and inclusion are important to me. I want to see UT flourish and become a become a public institution that is accepting of all students through the ideas listed above, and ideas you as my peers have. I know The University of Tennessee can become a university where everyone is represented, respected, and appreciated for all of their differences.
Contact:
abutle24@vols.utk.edu
(615)-967-7436