A Guide to his/her Papers/the Records at the Indiana University
Archives
Indiana University Commission on
Multicultural Understanding records, 1979-2010
Select files closed to researchers. These are indicated in the finding aid.
Advance notice required for access to collection.
Started at Indiana University in 1982 by the IU Dean of Students as the Committee on
Racial Understanding, the committee was dedicated to raising awareness against
racism on campus. In 1985 the group’s name changed to the Commission on Racial
Understanding (CORU) to highlight their involvement in campus-wide initiatives. The
goal of the organization was to increase communication and education that brought
awareness and opened dialogue on issues of oppression, thereby enhancing the campus
climate and creating a safe community.
In 1990 the group changed its name for the final time to become known as the
Commission on Multicultural Understanding (COMU) to show their commitment to the
diverse community they serve and reflect the variety of cultural backgrounds on the
IU campus. COMU consists of seven committees that address issues relating to faculty
and staff, student policies, orientation of new students, awards and recognition,
and training. Some of their most notable activities include educating the IU
community surrounding the controversial Woodburn Murals and the annual COMU Awards
that recognize outstanding individuals and their achievements in diversity.
The organization had seven committees on which students could serve and become active
participants in multicultural awareness. The Faculty and Staff Policy Issues
Committee and the Student Policy Issues Committee addressed problems and recommended
changes in policies concerning faculty, staff, and students at the University that
lead to overall satisfaction of the University’s employees and recruitment of
diverse students. The Orientation and Welcome Committee coordinated an information
session during orientation for new students to address topics related to racism and
diversity. They also worked to keep new students well informed about policies and
procedures that assist students when incidents occurred. The Retreats and
Recognition Committee organized gatherings for students, faculty, and staff to come
together and discuss issues regarding multiculturalism in the campus community. It
was also responsible for hosting the annual COMU Awards. The Student Coalition
Committee raised awareness and organized educational activities to combat various
forms of oppression on campus. The Teachable Moments Committee designed programs and
created education opportunities on campus to increase awareness and understanding of
varying kinds of conflict in the community. Lastly, the Training Committee recruited
individuals interested in multicultural awareness. These individuals were then
trained to go out and teach the community and promote multicultural
understanding.
Collection is organized into three series: Administrative files, Subject files, and
Audiovisual materials.
The collection is organized into three series: Administrative files, Subject files,
and Audiovisual materials.
The Administrative files span the years 1981-2010, with the bulk of the material
dating from 1988 or later. They include correspondence, Executive Council meeting
agendas and summaries, annual budgets and reports, event and educational programming
files, educational and publicity material, and committee files.
The Subject files date from 1983-2001 and include files concerning research and
resources concerting the various issues, initiative, and activities that COMU
planned or participated in. Research includes articles, newspaper clippings, and
printouts on different issues, such as racism, diversity, men’s and women’s issues,
academic integrity, and gender and sexuality issues. The bulk of the files
correspond to issues and incidents of racism on campus. They include instructional
content for education against racism and harassment and articles addressing racism
in college communities. Several files relating to incidents of misconduct on campus
are restricted.
The Audiovisual materials series dates from 1979-2006 and includes recordings in a
variety of formats, including DVDs, VHS tapes, and electronic files. Notable content
includes video interviews and other recordings related to the controversial Thomas
Benton murals in Woodburn Hall 100 and other instructional videos that COMU used in
their diversity awareness efforts. The latter recordings include informative
programs on some of the issues COMU dealt with such as racism, harassment, and
campus safety, and many of the tapes come from the IU Instructional Television
series.
The following photographs were removed and are stored with the IU Archives Photograph
Collection:
Series:
Box 1
Administrative files, 1981-2010
About the COMU Files undated
Annual Reports, 1993-1999
COMU Mission and Objectives undated
1981-1982
“In the beginning…” (Retreat proposal and Race Awareness
Forum I)
1982-1983
Task Force/Committee on Racial Understanding
1983-1984
Committee on Racial Understanding (Racial Awareness
Retreat)
1984-1985
Committee on Racial Understanding (Anti-Racism Training for
Trainers I
1985-1986
Forum on Investment/Divestment in S. Africa
General Information
1986-1987
Annual Report/History of Group
Anti-Racism Training for Trainers II
Budget
Celebration of Diversity Committee
General Information
Speaker Series
1987-1988
Miscellaneous Correspondence
1988-1989
Budget
Executive Council, Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
General Information
Miscellaneous Correspondence
NAACP Visit (spring 1989)
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Programming Committee
Resources Study Group Committee
Student Policy Issues Committee
Training Committee
1989-1990
Annual Report/Member Survey Project
Budget
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General All-Campus Meetings Correspondence
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, Information
(IU) Celebrate Diversity Calendar
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Programming Committee
Resources Study Group Committee
Resources Study Group Committee/Racism Resource
Guide
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Training Committee
1990-1991
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
Fall ’90 Teleconferences
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
General Information
(IU) Campus Climate Committee of the Minority Enhancement
Council
(IU) Minority Services Programs: Drafts of Reorganization
Proposals
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Persian Gulk Letter (to International Students)
Programming Committee (did Unity in Diversity Week)
Resources Study Group Committee
Student Policy Issues Committee
Training Committee
Box 2
1991-1992
American Pictures
Budget
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
General Information
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Retreat Committee
Student Policy Issues Committee
Training Committee
Unity in Diversity Week Committee
Box 2
1992-1993
Annual Report
Budget
Contact letter
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
General Information
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Retreat Committee
(4 envelopes of photos of the Fall Retreat 1992 removed)
Spring ’93 Search for New COMU Graduate Assistant
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Training Committee
Unity in Diversity Week Committee
(11 photographs of COMU Awards night 3/30/93 removed)
1993-1994
Annual Report
Budget
Contact Letter
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General, All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and
Summaries
General, All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
General Information
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Public Relations Committee
Research and Development Committee
Retreat Committee
Room Reservations
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Training Committee
Unity in Diversity Week Committee
1994-1995
All-Campus Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
All-Campus Meetings: Correspondence
Annual report
Budget
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General Information
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Multigeneral (E-mail messages related to multicultural
issues)
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Publicity
Public Relations Committee
Research and Development Committee
Retreat Committee
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Teachable Moments Committee
Training Committee
705 Security Info
1995-1996
Annual Report
Budget
Executive Council Correspondence
Box 3
1995-1996
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General Information
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Multigeneral (E-mail Messages Related to Multicultural
Issues)
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Research and Development Committee
Retreat Committee
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Teachable Moments Committee
Training Committee
1996-1997
Annual Report
Brochure
Budget
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meetings: Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
General Information
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Orientation and Welcome
Recruitment and Retention Presentations (formerly all Campus
Meeting)
Retreats and Recognition Committee
Spring ’97 Search for New COMU Graduate Assistant
Student Policy Issues Committee
Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)
Committee
Teachable Moments Committee
Training Committee
Box 4
1997-1998
Appointment Letters and Correspondence (Student and Fac/Staff
Appts)
Budget
COMU G.A. Position Description
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council List and Roster
Executive Meeting Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues Committee
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Orientation and Welcome Committee
(2 folders)
Retreats and Recognition Committee
(21 photographs removed)
SOAR
Student Policy Issues Committee
Teachable Moments Committee
Training Committee
1998-1999
Brochure
Budget
COMU Awards
COMU G.A.
Executive Council Correspondence
Executive Council Meeting Agendas and Summaries
(Katie’s) Executive Council Meeting File
Executive Council Rosters
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues
Graduate Assistant Annual Report
Miscellaneous Correspondence
(2 folders)
Orientation and Welcome
Retreats and Recognition
SOAR
Student Policy Issues
Teachable Moments
Training
Box 5
1999-2000
Affirmative Action Plan
Budget Information
Diversity Taskforce
E-Council Agendas and Summaries
E-Council Correspondence
E-Council Meeting Schedule
Executive Council and Committee Co-Convener
Rosters
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues
Orientation and Welcome Committee
Retreats and Recognition Committee
Secretary of Education Initiative – General Information
Secretary of Education Initiative – Miscellaneous
Correspondence
Secretary of Education Initiative – Student Forum
Materials
Student Policy Issues Committee
Teachable Moments Committee
Training Committee
2000-2001
Annual Report 2000-2001
Appointment Letters and Correspondence (Student and Fac/Staff
Appts)
Attendance Sheets
Big Ten: General Correspondence
Brochure – “Guidelines for Planning a Culturally Sensitive
Event”
Brochures
Bulletin Board – Franklin Hall
Campus Week of Dialogue
Completed Sign-Up Sheets “Sign Here for Info This Fall About
COMU”
Conversations on Race
Correspondence Requests
CRM Learning
Cross-Cultural and International Issues
Diversity Resource Guide
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Ageism
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Diversity/Index
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Gender
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: General
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Racism
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Religion
Diversity Resource Guide WEB: Sexual
Electronic Mail Account
Executive Council Agendas and Summaries,
(2 folders)
Executive Council Correspondence
(2 folders)
Executive Council Meeting Schedule
(3 folders)
Executive Council and Committee Rosters
Executive Council Roster
Executive Council Voting Requests
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues
(2 folders)
Forwarded Messages
Correspondence Fwd Messages (Jan-Feb)
Correspondence Fwd Messages (Mar-May)
Box 6
2000-2001
G.A. In-Office Meetings Fall 2000
G.A. In-Office Meetings Spring 2001
Griggs Productions
HTML Information
Michigan State University Diversity Efforts
Miscellaneous Correspondence
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous Correspondence and/or Mailings
Miscellaneous Correspondence Brochure Sign-Ups
Miscellaneous Correspondence: Email Sign-Ups
Miscellaneous Correspondence – Requests
Miscellaneous Diversity Correspondence and Mailings
MLK Programming
MLK Student Forum Handouts
Ohio State University – Columbus Diversity
Efforts
Orientation and Welcome
(2 folders)
Practicum Student Projects
Retreats and Recognition
(2 folders)
Student Coalition
Student Organization Listings
Student Policy Issues
(3 folders)
Teachable Moments
(2 folders)
Website: Original and Revisions COMU G.A. Copy
Website: Original and Revisions COMU Practicum Student
Copy
2001-2002
Report for 2001-2002 Grad Assistant “Welcome
Shaila”
RA Training
2002-2003
All-Campus Correspondence
Bloomington Multicultural Expo
Bloomington Multicultural Festival 9/28/02
Bloomington Multicultural Festival Fall 2002
Budget
Correspondence Executive Council
Correspondence Miscellaneous
Co-Sponsorship
Executive Council Agendas and Summaries
Faculty and Staff Policy Issues
Miscellaneous Materials
Orientation and Welcome
Retreats and Recognition
Sample Letters
Student Coalition
Student Policy Issues
Teachable Moments
Training
Box 7
2002-2003
Meetings with Pam
Sign-Ups - Completed
Sign-Ups – Please Contact
2003-2004
Past COMU Executive Council Meeting Sign-In
Sheets
2004-2005
Awards nominees 2004
Awards nominees 2005
Blank Committee Sign-Up Sheets
Blank COMU Letterhead
Blank Ethics Letterhead
Budget Account Information
COMU Reception
Co-Sponsorships
Dialogue in Democracy Teachable Moments Program
Executive Council Members/Meeting Dates
Executive Council Rosters
Executive Meeting Agendas and Summaries
Monthly Expenses
Room Reservation Contracts
Room Reservation Form/Role of Co-Conveners
2005-2006
ACPA 2006
IU Events/Resource/Publicity
Nomination Awards
Student Coalition Leadership Summit 05-2006 Forms
2006-2007
COMU Awards 06-2007
COMU Awards 06-2007
COMU Awards 06-2007 Original Copies
2008-2009
COMU Awards 2009
Papers of the Chair
2009-2010
ARC 2010
Papers of the Chair
Series:
Box 7
Subject files, 1983-2001
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Academic Integrity, 1998-2001
Academic Integrity Bills, 1999
Academic Integrity - Computer Science, 1992
Academic Integrity Presentation, 2000-2001
Academic Integrity: the Truth of the Matter – Teleconference,
1995
Action Plans to Fight Racism, 1997
(2 folders)
Associate Instructors,
General,
1995-2000
Articles,
1999-2000
Diversity Mentor Program, undated
Alcohol Education,
General Info, 1995-1996
Pamphlets,
1994-1995
Alcohol Intervention, 1983
American Studies and Related, 1990-1991
(RESTRICTED)
Appreciation,
1993-1994
Asian Issues, 1986
Awareness Activities – from the Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities, 1992
Between the Races -- a Parable (Black-White), undated
BIAS-Free Communication Fact Sheet from MI State, 1996
Bigotry on Campus: a Planned Response, 1990
Black Culture Center Library, 1992-1994
(Black) Fact Sheet, undated
Black History Month, 1996
Black-White Assumptions and Behaviors, undated
Boyer’s Community Principles, undated
Box 8
California Newsreel: African American Perspectives,
1996-1997
Campus Climate, 1990
Campus Climate Survey (Penn State), 2000-2001
Career Development, 1982
CAS Standards and Guidelines, 1988
Case Studies/Scenarios, 1991
Citizens for Cultural Enhancement (Martinsville, Indiana),
1989
Civil Rights Immersion Trip, 2007
Classroom Tone Setting, 1991
Collaboration, 1994
Combating Racism on Campus, 1990
Communication Skills, 1989
Community Education Program’s Annual Civil Rights Tour, 2006
Conditions Under Which Racial Learning Occurs, 1982
Coordinator of Diversity Programs, 1994
Copies: “20/20 A Vision for Achieving Equity and Excellence,
undated
Crossing the Line (COMU-Files), 1999
Cultural Components of Africa and England, 1550-1600, undated
Disabled Awareness, 1985
Diversity Education Resource Guide for Campus and Community
Program Planning,
1994-1995
Diversity: Correspondence, undated
Diversity: General Information, 1987-1994
Diversity: Personality Types, 1988-1997
Diversity: Presentation, 1995
Diversity: Presentation, 1991-1995
Diversity: Self-Assessment, undated
Diversity: Stereotypes, undated
Diversity: Terminology, undated
Diversity: Training, 1989-1996
Diversity Resources 2000 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Recovery Month,
undated
The Drawbridge,
undated
Evaluation Form EXAMPLE, undated
“Eye of the Storm” Discussion Questions, undated
Football Notes, 1999
(RESTRICTED)
For White People…, undated
Frat Notes, 1999
(RESTRICTED)
Gay Issues Programming, 1987-1988
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, 1992
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Issues, 1992
Gender Communications Quotient, undated
Gender Issues, 1992
“God’s Rainbow” – Poem, 1999
Group Cycles, 1982
Group Exclusion Exercise, undated
Groups: What to Observe, 1982
Growing Up Racially, undated
Guidelines for Financial Assistance, 1995
Hispanics, 1991
A History of Black Faculty in Tenure-Line Positions IUB,
1950-1992
Holidays,
1990-1993
HPER Tiles Shaped like Swastikas, 2001-2002
Indianapolis “Ending Racism” Group, 1989
“IU Against Racism” Video, 1990
Incident Reports,
1991-1999
(11 folders)
(RESTRICTED)
IU’s Instructional Support Services: Diversity Values, undated
Jeweler’s Dilemma, 1986
Jewish Culture, 1990
KEYS Program,
1995-1996
Kwanzaa, 1985
Leadership,
1994-1996
Lilly Grant/Campus Climate, 1992-1993
Martin Luther King, 1992
Men’s Issues,
1986-1994
The Middle East,
undated
Box 9
Minority Enhancement Coordinating Council,
1994-1995
Minority Enhancement Council,
1990-1991
1990-1995
Minority Sensitivity Exercise, 1986
Minority Student Needs, 1985-1988
Miscellaneous Diversity Handouts, 2006
Multicultural Education, 1989-2011
Multicultural Programming, 1983-1988
National Coalition Building Institute, 1987
Native American Issues, 1993
New White Person,
undated
Newspaper Articles – COMU, 1989-1996
Newspaper Clippings, 1983-1988
Nursing (B203) Diversity Presentation, 1996
“On Being Color-Blind” by Horace Seldon, undated
Organizational Dynamics, 1991
Originals – Archie Bunker, 1997
Others, 1999
(RESTRICTED)
Outraged (Art Campaign), 1994
Outraged materials, 1993-1996
(2 folders)
“Overcoming Prejudice on the Campus” by James W. Lyons, 1984
Parents’ Fund Proposals, 1997-2000
Personal Reflection (White-Black-Latino), undated
A Place at the Table, undated
Poem “The Dangerous Cliff”, 1982
Puerto Rico Discovery Week, 1993
Race Awareness and Action Planning Process Model, 1977
Box 10
Racial Discussions in Class, 1983
Racism,
1986-1991
Racism Alive and Well, 1988
Racism and Newspapers, undated
Racism, Definition of (by Marvalene Hughes), undated
Racism, Definitions of, undated
Racism Fighting Process Model, undated
Racism Isn’t Just (Black-White) , undated
Racism – Problems Found in Group Discussions, undated
Racism Programming, 1987-1988
Reports, 1999
(RESTRICTED)
“The Recoloring of Campus Life” by Shelby Steele, 1989
Recruitment and Retention of Minorities in Higher Ed, 1986-1990
Religious Diversity, 1988
Religious Holidays/Ethnic Festivals,
1990-1992
Resumes and Blanks/Envelopes, 1987
The Second Reconstruction, 1981
Social Oppression: Transparencies, undated
Southern Poverty Law Center, 1994
Spike Lee and Commentaries on His Work, 1992
Strategy and Action Plan, undated
Student Forum Handouts, undated
Study Circles Resource Center, 1995-1996
Teaching Tolerance, 1996
Team Building, 1991
Teamwork, 1994
Thank Yous and Appreciation, 1991
Three Kings Day Epiphany, undated
Training Racism,
undated
Traps in Creating Change, undated
“Turn Around” Experiences for Non-Blacks, undated
“Voices of University of Michigan Students” Discussion Questions,
undated
What are You Afraid of? , undated
“Willie Horton and Me”, Anthony Walton,, August 2, 1999
Women’s History, 1996
Women’s Holidays,
undated
Women’s Issues,
1993-1994
Women’s Studies,
1989-1990
Women’s Week, 1986
Woodburn Mural Reports, 2002
Woodburn Murals - Benton Murals Correspondence,
2009-2011
Woodburn Murals - Meeting with Provost Hanson re Woodburn 100,
1994-2002
Working with Students, undated