PAIC (Promoting an Inclusive Community)
Mission Statement
To lead the College community by enhancing and sustaining an institutional culture of equity and social justice that fosters diversity and inclusion.
To support this mission statement, the PAIC committee has the following goals:
Advocacy
- Advocate for diverse populations and their needs.
- Advocate for college action in response to identified needs regarding equity and inclusivity.
Institutional / Program Assessment
- Use the assessment results of PAIC work to inform institutional change.
- Identify institutional gaps related to the college climate.
Programming / Development
- Implement needed programming and professional development opportunities.
- Support new and existing programming and professional development.
Resources
- Serve as a resource that supports increased awareness and understanding of diversity related issues.
- Collaborate with community partners.
Focus Areas
2017+: Dignity
2015-2017: Students with Disabilities
2013-2015: LGBTQA+
2011-2013: Latinos/Latinas
2009-2011: African-Americans
EAGLE now supports pronoun options for students and faculty!
You can now select personal pronouns to add to your user account. Personal pronouns will display after your name in various areas in EAGLE, including:
- Comment Fields
- Discussions
- Inbox
- People Page (Course and Groups)
- User Navigation Menu
- User Profile Page
- User Settings Page
Follow these directions to learn how to add your pronouns!
Why add your pronouns?
Typically, society has taught us to make automatic assumptions about what pronouns to use for someone. If a person’s gender expression (the way they appear in terms of gender) seems to be male, we’d likely use he/him/his when talking about that person; if a person’s appearance seems to be female, we’d be likely to use she/her/hers. However, gender is not always that simple. Sometimes a person’s gender identity (the way the person identifies internally in terms of their gender) doesn’t align with their gender expression (the way they look). In addition, not everyone identifies strictly as male or female. So when a person shares their gender pronouns, they are simply taking the guesswork away for you! It’s their way of saying “when you refer to me using pronouns (opposed to by my name), these are the pronouns I’d like for you to use.”
Per the Illinois Equitable Restrooms Act, every single-occupancy restrooms shall be outfitted with an exterior sign marking them as restrooms and identifying them as all-gender. For more information on this legislation can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website.
Classroom Building I (CLI)
CLI 0109
Educational Resource Center (ERC)
ERC 1430
ERC 1432
Health Sciences Center (HSC)
HSC 1302 (this bathroom can only be accessed Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Students who would like to use a name other than their legal first name within the campus community are able to enter a chosen first name, update an existing chosen first name, or delete an existing chosen first name through the Records Office.
Chosen first names will be viewable in the following ways:
- Faculty/Instructors will see a student’s chosen first name, if one exists, and legal last name if they are granted permission. Otherwise, the legal first and last name will appear. Use your chosen first name on scantrons, tests, and other items that are handed in since the instructor will see that chosen name on the roster.
- Advisors and college administrative staff will see a student’s chosen and legal first name.
- Online directories will display the preferred first name, if one exists, and legal last name, otherwise the legal first and last name.
- The RVC student ID can display either the Chosen Name or Legal name.
- Students who wish to enter or update a preferred first name should submit this attached form to the RVC Records Office, located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center.
- Chosen Names can be printed on Diplomas and Certificates upon request.
Contact the Records Office at (815) 921-4250 or rvc-records@rockvalleycollege.edu with questions about preferred first name for students.
What is my chosen first name? How can I set or change it?
Students may designate a chosen first name*, which certain College systems will then use. These systems include class rosters, the display name in Colleague, and the display name in a number of learning management systems (e.g., Eagle, Canvas, and Online Services), and most college directories. The College will also retain your full legal name, which is used when required by the College, such as in tax documents, contracts, academic transcripts, diplomas, and certain health records. For further details, students can refer to the Records Office.
To set or change your chosen first name:
Students - Please use this request form.
Acceptable uses of chosen first names include:
- A middle name instead of first name
- An abbreviated name (Rob instead of Robert, Manny instead of Emmanuel)
- An Americanized name (Wendy instead of Haiyan)
- A name to which you are in the process of legally changing
- A name that better represents your gender identity
You may not use your chosen first name to misrepresent who you are, nor may you use any profane or offensive language in your preferred first name. Your chosen first name is subject to approval by College administration, and those who intentionally misuse the chosen first name option may be subject to disciplinary action.
A chosen first name may take several days to appear in all systems that display preferred first names.
Rock Valley College Personal and Success Counseling’s mission is to prepare students for learning and personal success throughout life. We educate and facilitate the growth of the whole person for living, learning, and coping in an unpredictable and diverse world. We work in conjunction with our colleagues across campus toward the promotion of a healthy campus environment for all those who learn and work at RVC by providing professional outreach and educational services and by fostering collaborative relationships across the campus.
To make an initial appointment, you can contact RVC's Personal and Success Counselor, Andrea McCauley at (815) 921-4105, or learn more here.
The mission of the Safe Zone Program is to provide a network of safe and supportive allies to the LGBTQAI+ community at Rock Valley College. The goal of this program is to provide a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons by establishing an identifiable network of supportive persons who can provide support, information, resources, and a safe place for LGBTQAI+ persons within our campus community.
Learn more about our Safe Zone Program.
Read more about Banned Book Week: Sept. 19 - 23, 2022
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Members
Awards
The Rock Valley College PAIC (Promoting An Inclusive Community) committee received the YWCA Racial Justice Award at the annual YWCA Leader Luncheon on March 3, 2014. The Racial Justice Award recognizes those who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to promoting racial justice and are working toward the elimination of racism.