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Diversity and Equity Center

A student stands on a decorated stage to speak to a seated audience, with a line of his peers to his side

What we do

The Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) of Saint Martin's University is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and equitable learning environment for all members of the campus community. Inspired by our Catholic, Benedictine tradition, which honors the dignity of each person and strives for peace and justice in our world, the DEC seeks to build a campus community that engenders inclusive excellence, facilitates intercultural understanding, and promotes social justice learning.

Contact Information

dec@stmartin.edu

360-688-2881

DEC Harned Hall 201-202,

Lounge Harned Hall 207

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Social Media

AHANA orientation leaders pose in the parking lot

Welcome to the DEC

The Diversity and Equity Center is a space devoted to building community, developing programs, and providing resources, support and advocacy for students with historically underrepresented identities. The DEC sponsors cultural clubs and programming throughout the year, including the Auris Connections Orientation.

Check the master calendar for this year's events

Programs

The Diversity and Equity Center and Campus Ministry invite you to engage in a dialogue series, called Breaking Bread. This series is an opportunity for the Saint Martin's community to encounter each other in our sharing of a meal and conversation.

Join us in the DEC Lounge (Harned 207) on the third Thursdays of the month at 12 p.m. A simple lunch will be provided!

The Cultural Heritage Events are programs where our Saint Martin’s University community can learn about a variety of cultures. We invite you to participate in the following programs and events. Let us know if you have any ideas to add!

Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance
Black History Month

Check the calendar for this year's dates.

Join the Diversity and Equity Center and campus partners in celebrating and honoring Indigenous Peoples' cultures, histories, and sovereignty.

Come take a break and join the Diversity and Equity Center staff for compelling conversations about justice. All are welcome!

Join us in the DEC Lounge at 12 p.m.

The Diversity and Equity Center, Office of Campus Ministry and Office of Campus Life co-sponsor an event for first-year students. Called Project Story, this is a time for us to bring students together to share something about who they are and what they bring to the Saint Martin's community. We foreground the Benedictine values of listening, hospitality and community living to emphasize the idea that we become who we are in relationship with others. To generate conversation, we take students through presentations and activities on cultural identity.

Questions about the event? Email dec@stmartin.edu for details.

The Service Immersion Program is hosted in partnership with Campus Ministry. The immersion trips have been hosted over Spring Break and students are immersed with a community learn, serve and reflect. Our Immersion Program is the third phase of our Benedictine Leadership Program.

Past locations:

Yakima, WA
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers | Denver, CO
Respite Center | McAllen, TX
Homeboys and Dolores Mission | Los Angeles, CA
L'Arche Tahoma | Tacoma, WA
Firestone | Flint, MI

Questions? Contact John Hopkins or Nick Coffman.

Looking for a space for your next club event?

Request to reserve the DEC Lounge

Programs

Act Six is a leadership and scholarship program that connects local faith-based community affiliates with faith- and social justice-based colleges to equip emerging urban and community leaders to engage the college campus and their communities at home.

Learn more about the Act Six program

One of the DEC’s signature programs is Auris Connections and Mentorship. Auris Connections is a three-day orientation designed for students of diverse backgrounds to engage with the campus community, gather information about student support services and create lasting friendships throughout the college years.

If you want a way to support your peers, apply in spring semester to be an Auris Mentor next year!

Learn more about Auris Connections

The Diversity and Equity Center invites Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to strengthen community and belonging by joining us in the DEC Lounge (HH 207).

Email dec@stmartin.edu to opt into the affinity space.

The Passport to Careers Scholarship is administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and helps unaccompanied youth, homeless youth, and current and former foster youth enroll, persist and complete post-secondary education.

Learn more about Passport to Careers

Our values

Creating an inclusive and welcoming community requires the dedication of faculty, staff, and students to promote inclusive excellence in all aspects of academic life. To this end, we work collaboratively with campus partners to sponsor a variety of diversity-related programs and events that recognize and validate our distinct identities, worldviews, and cultures. Our diversity is our strength.

Hospitality: “To offer warmth, acceptance, joy in welcoming others” (RB, 48)

Supporting the overall success of students requires that faculty, staff, and students engage and promote an equitable educational environment. We offer a variety of programs and opportunities that support underrepresented students in their navigation of college life and educate faculty, staff, and students in building a more equitable community.

Respect for persons: “No one is to pursue what is judged best for oneself, but instead, what is better for someone else” (RB, 72)