Understanding the various acronyms of DEI

In a world post-2020, where humanity is often toeing the line between precedent and unprecedented times, students on Wofford’s campus might find themselves confused and frustrated about the swath of three to four-letter acronyms which have peppered their emails for months loosely relating to the expanding field of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

While catchy and easy to cite in casual speech, what exactly are the roles of offices and organizations like JEDI, ODI, WARC and ARAT? What was their founding purpose and what is their relation to each other? Most importantly, with 2020 come and gone, and 2021 nearing its end; what do the future of these groups look like and how does the college plan to support those goals? 

Below is an expansive list of on-campus organizations, along with their acronyms and purposes:

WARC – Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition

Founded in June of 2020, Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition (WARC) was a group of seven students who collaborated in order to present grievances regarding the environment of Wofford’s campus in light of revelatory sharing of perspectives, as well as compile over thirty demands for the administration and board to enact. The students said their goal was to address and bring to the forefront all overlooked and under-discussed malfeasances about racism on campus that “repeatedly fall on deaf ears and result in inaction”. During the Fall 2020 semester, WARC arranged a campus-wide protest to speak out about injustice and lack of response to these demands and they continue to be a force for DEI initiatives on campus, however, the future of this organization is unclear. 

JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Perhaps one of the most notable acronyms on Wofford’s campus and one with which virtually every student, faculty, staff and administrator has at least a loose familiarity. The JEDI committee was established in the Summer of 2020 and tasked with the goal of  “recommending to the Wofford College Board of Trustees a strategic plan and vision for an equitable and just Wofford for the future”. Essentially, JEDI used listening sessions, research, and surveying in order to gauge the campus climate and compile recommendations for enacting necessary changes in order to address concerns around DEI at Wofford. JEDI then submitted their recommendations and formal report in May of 2021, all of which can be found online at wofford.edu/about/jedi.

ODI – Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) has the overarching mission of working “to promote an inclusive, equitable and diverse campus climate”. Students are most familiar with ODI’s extensive Heritage Month programming which was pivotal to continued DEI education last year on campus. Additionally, ODI’s Taifha Alexander, J.D. and former Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership Development, was a prominent figure on campus during her one year stint before departing campus, remarking that the year left her feeling “depleted” – see Eyon Brown ‘21 and I’s article “Dean Taifha Resigns From Position”. Looking forward, ODI is predicted to be absorbed into the new cabinet-level position that Dr. Duane Pruitt has been tapped to fill as Chief Equity Officer. As it stands, however, the future of ODI is unclear and their responsibilities seem equally as unapparent. 

ARAT/ARC – Anti-Racism Action Team/Antiracism 101 Challenge

• Founded in the Summer of 2020, the Anti-Racism Action Team (ARAT) was a group of ten members of faculty and staff that came together to arrange teach-ins and speakers in response to “the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many others”. Additionally, ARAT worked to create the Antiracism 101 Challenge (ARC) to support the campus community in their “commitment to becoming more equity-minded and antiracist”. Over the course of the year, this challenge arranged an extensive curriculum “aimed at assisting student organizations in educating themselves” about inequities and instances of racism which can be averted. According to their page on the college website, the student and athletic organizations that participated in the ARC, “will officially be recognized on this website for their commitment, dedication and steadfastness in contributing to antiracism practices”. Outside of this, there are not clearly stated forward plans for the ARAT or ARC to continue their work into the coming year. 

DIA – Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism Committee

• Founded in the Summer of 2021 by Destiny Shippy ‘22, the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Committee (DIA) has the goal of encouraging “a more diverse and inclusive environment on campus”. Co-chaired by Paola Cruz ‘23 and myself , this committee is in its formative stages and plans to work closely with ODI and the Office of Admission. DIA is a committee under the auspices of the Campus Union Assembly and has a say in cabinet-level decisions. As a new committee, the specifics of their goals are unclear. However, DIA will likely be a close ally to the new Chief Equity Officer and work to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment on Campus Union. 

NCBI – National Coalition Building Institute

• Student organizations and offices around campus have been urged to attend training sessions from the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) over the past year. NCBI has been around for over thirty years, and has been present on Wofford’s campus for some time as well. The purpose of NCBI training is to provide “training in diversity, equity, and inclusion” in various public and private spaces.