Mission & Purpose
The Office of Inclusion & Belonging strives to provide students with an inclusive community by supporting students of color; members of our LGBTQ+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning with the “+” [plus] representing all other gender identities and sexual orientations); international students; students of all religious, secular, and/or spiritual identities; and allies to persons within those communities. The Office encourages personal, social, and academic growth, exemplary citizenship, and retention of students from underrepresented identities at Keuka College.
Areas of Focus
The programing of The Office of Inclusion & Belonging, supported by professional and student staff, includes:
- Advocating for underrepresented identities on our campus.
- Providing safe spaces where people can be who they are without being judged or challenged based upon identity.
- Providing brave spaces where people come to grow and to be challenged, with facilitation.
- Utilizing regularly scheduled programs that involve training, discussion panels, conversations, resources, information sharing, heritage, and cultural celebrations to educate the campus community.
- Providing support to student groups including, but not limited to, the Multicultural Student Association (MSA), PRIDE, and the Interfaith Student Leadership Team.
- Providing student leadership development through work study, interfaith facilitators, and Field Period™ opportunities.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB)
Alternative Spring Break is a week of service, cultural immersion, and interfaith cooperation, led by the College Chaplain, that occurs during the College’s spring break.
Heritage & Cultural Celebrations
Including but not limited to: Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Native American Indian Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian Pacific Heritage Month, LGBTQ+ History Month.
International Education Week
Every November, the Office of Inclusion & Belonging works collaboratively with the International Education Committee to provide a week of programming that highlights global education opportunities happening on campus and abroad.
World Interfaith Harmony Week
Every spring, from Feb. 1-7, the Office of Inclusion & Belonging plans a week of activities to allow students to explore different religious, secular, and spiritual beliefs to build bridges of understanding. Activities in the past have included crafts, guest speakers, interfaith dinners, and many other impactful events.
And Now You Know What We Know
An informational “grab and go'' program that explores topics related to: socio-economics, disability awareness, heritage months, human rights, LGBTQ+, gender, religion, race, and history.
BASIC (Brothers And Sisters in Christ)
A weekly gathering for people who are looking for Christian community. BASIC is led by Wellspring Fellowship, a local church in Penn Yan, and has been approved by the Interfaith Advisory Board.
Celebrate!
A weekly event to celebrate the religious holidays happening during the week with crafts and conversation.
Hmm…Hadn’t Thought of That
A weekly discussion panel that explores topics related to: socio-economics, disability awareness, heritage months, human rights, LGBTQ+, gender, religion, race, and history.
Interfaith Engagement in Residence Halls
Interfaith Facilitators provide weekly programs in residence halls to promote interfaith cooperation. Facilitators use crafts, food, games, and other activities to bring people together to build bridges of understanding.
Know Your Neighbor
Know Your Neighbor is a weekly conversation that focuses on issues impacting the campus, the culture, and/or the world.
Let’s Take a Trip
A weekly program that explores different countries around the world.
On the Right Path?
A weekly program that explores pathways to help express your religious, secular, or spiritual identity.
What in the World?
A weekly program that explores life’s big questions and other interesting things about religious, secular, or spiritual identities.
- MSA - Multicultural Student Association
- PRIDE - Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies on campus
- Interfaith Student Leadership Team - Students interested in receiving interfaith leadership training.
Policies
Keuka College has policies that support students’ chosen name and personal pronouns and provides religious accommodations and exemptions. These policies can be found in the College Record.
Religious Holiday Calendar
The Office of Inclusion & Belonging provides the campus with a religious holidays calendar for the academic year to help educate the community and to avoid potential conflicts in scheduling.
The Office can assist students in finding worship services, learning about other houses of worship, exploring personal spirituality, being a member of the interfaith student leadership team, and/or supporting students with spiritual guidance from time to time.
Meditation, Prayer, and Reflection Room
Visit our meditation space in Dahlstrom 13 during the week to practice meditation, prayer, or just to relax for a bit.
"Inclusion & Belonging HUB" Space
This is a designated space for clubs and organizations supported by the Office of Inclusion & Belonging that can be used for gatherings, meeting space, or educational purposes for the campus. It’s also a place for students to hang out and relax during the day.
Eric Detar
Director of Inclusion & Belonging and Director of HEOP and Chaplain
Eric Detar
Director of Inclusion & Belonging and Director of HEOP
Chaplain
315-279-5378
[email protected]
Academic Credentials
Drew University
M.Div.
Westminster College
B.A.
