CMU 2010

Posters encourage excellence through inclusion


The thought-provoking messages conveyed in the new diversity-related posters displayed throughout campus still make Amy Gouin uncomfortable.

This likely isn’t surprising to anyone who’s stopped to read the posters that address the issue of discrimination based on race, disability, and sexual orientation.

But Gouin, a graphic designer, was a leading member of the CMU Public Relations and Marketing (PRM) creative team that developed the posters.

“I think it’s a good thing that the posters still make me stop, think, and feel a little uneasy,” Gouin said. “Our hope was that they would get people to stop, read the story, and have a moment where they think, ‘I never thought about it in that way,’ and experience a situation from a different point of view.”

The campaign was initiated by a committee consisting of Ulana Klymyshyn from the Multicultural Education Center, Denise Green from Institutional Diversity, Jen Miracle from University Recreation, Susie Rood from Student Disability Services, Shawn Wilson from Minority Student Services, and Amy McGinnis, Maxine Kent, and Harley Blake from Human Resources.

Blake said the personal stories of discrimination at CMU that he and others, including members of the Collective Action for Cultural Unity student group, had gathered for a staff training last year generated the poster campaign idea. Training participants indicated that they were most affected by these real life experiences.

“They are such powerful stories,” Blake said. “I think the posters have started some important dialogue and discussion throughout campus.”

Klymyshyn said the poster campaign addresses President Michael Rao’s charges to increase diversity at CMU and supports CMU 2010 Priority II, which aims to provide educational experiences and programs that enhance diversity and global perspective.

“Many times when we do diversity workshops, they include stories from other places. Most of us are simply unaware that our friends and colleagues are getting mistreated,” she said. “It’s more of a wake-up call when people learn that these types of things happen right here.”

Courageous efforts

Cynthia Drake, a PRM writer and editor, said she and others who developed the posters understood that the subject matter had the potential of incorporating concepts and language that some may deem offensive.

“We all wanted to acknowledge that discrimination is a serious problem and that the university is not afraid to confront it,” she said.“It’s good that it makes people feel uncomfortable because we then can come closer to understanding what it’s like for others who face it on a daily basis.”

Klymyshyn said she is proud of the team for boldly moving forward, for the offices that display the posters, and for the courage shown by the people who shared their stories.

“It’s encouraging to see this because it says to me that people are not willing to sweep these concerns under the rug,” she said. “Hopefully the posters will generate the conversations that will help us to respect each other’s experiences and create an inclusive atmosphere within the area that we each influence.”

Klymyshyn said there are plans to develop more posters that address discrimination in relation to other areas, including gender, religion, age, and other ethnic groups. •