CALL FOR PROPOSALS

2012 Equity in the Classroom Conference

March 18-20, 2012 hosted by Saginaw Valley State University

Theme:  “Equity in Education through Partnerships and Collaboration”

The focus of the conference is on achieving parity in enrollment, retention, and graduation for the underrepresented students of color and academically and economically disadvantaged students in higher education.   The audience consists of faculty, administrators, student affairs personnel, and GEAR-UP partners (university students occasionally attend).

The theme, Equity in Education through Partnerships and Collaboration, is designed to explore various ways in which community partnerships help to foster diversity and to explore the ways in which diversity enriches these partnerships. Topics to be highlighted at the conference include:

• Creating parity: Programs that have increased the enrollment, retention and graduation of students from     underrepresented groups in institutions of higher education (including pre-college programs)
• Curricular initiatives for making classrooms more inclusive either through pedagogical practices or through content
  • Professional development programs for faculty and/or staff that increase awareness, knowledge and skills related to cultural competency
  • Assessment of diversity campus climate, including following up on the results of these studies
  • Implementing institutional change

Session formats include: (be sure to include the length of the presentation or workshop in the proposal)

• 45 minute presentations
• 90 minute workshops and presentations
• ½ day workshops

Proposals will be subjected to blind peer review by a committee at SVSU, which includes both faculty and staff. The following are the five primary evaluation criteria used in the review of proposals. Preference will be given to proposals reflecting the conference theme.

1.       Relevance to the conference theme;

2.       Clarity and coherence of the session description and plan;

3.       Relevance to the interest of the conference participants;

4.       Contributions to new or innovative practices for student, staff and faculty development;

5.       Likelihood that the session will stimulate active engagement of participants

Proposal format:

• Name, affiliation, address, email address of all presenters
• Title (less than 10 words)
• Specific topic(s) to be covered from the list above
• Three expected outcomes of the session
• Summary of the presentation or workshop (750 words or less)
• Abstract of the presentation or workshop to be used in the program (25 words or less)
• Equipment requested (data projector, DVD player, visualizer; computers WILL NOT be provided)

For addition information contact:

For additional information contact:

Mamie Thorns, Ph.D.
Office of Diversity Programs
Saginaw Valley State University
(989)964-4068, or mtthorns@svsu.edu