A warm welcome was given to the recipients of the UCLA 2008 Fair & Open Academic Environment Award, all of whom demonstrated tremendous contributions to increasing diversity in the community.
Hosted by the UCLA Academic Senate’s Committee on Diversity and Equal Opportunity, the ceremony honored the recipients of the award Thursday evening for their hard work and contributions.
The award is given every two years and is based on nominations from the community. It is usually given to three people demonstrating tremendous dedication to diversity, but this year it was extended to four recipients, said Ines Boechat, chairwoman of the senate’s committee.
The recipients of the award were Susan Plann, professor in the department of applied linguistics; Dennis Jay Montoya, a doctoral candidate in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics; Christina Walter, a fifth-year political science and Afro-American studies student and chairwoman of the Afrikan Student Union; and Dena Chertoff, graduate program coordinator in the department of psychology.
Montoya is an advocate for diversity in the sciences. He helps undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds decide on careers in science.
“I think (diversity) is essential. It is not only a question of equity, but a question of excellence,” Montoya said.
Chertoff has been part of the UCLA community for 38 years and has provided support for underrepresented minorities in her program.
“I first noticed the diversity of the plants and architecture of UCLA,” Chertoff said jokingly. “But then I learned of the diversity of the students, and that’s where it has been most rewarding.”
The Fair & Open Academic Environment Award was established in 1995 after the chancellor at the time advocated the idea of recognizing members of the community in their contributions for an open and diverse environment, Boechat said.
“Diversity is one of UCLA’s long-standing values, and we’ve made great strides in diversity,” said Scott L. Waugh, executive vice chancellor and provost.
Nominations can come from anyone in the UCLA community, including students, faculty, administrators and staff.
Members of the committee, made up of professors from various departments, then discuss and choose the winners of the award.
“The university is committed to people being treated fairly and for a fair and open environment for everybody,” Boechat said. “Right now, the new chancellor has made it clear that diversity is an important issue in the campus, and we want to see people who will bring more fostering of diversity and who will bring diversity around the campus.”