The Office for Diversity and Inclusion serves as a vital and integral resource for students and employees in the areas of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The office is dedicated to:

Supporting University of Maine students from historically underrepresented identities, including but not limited to sexuality, race, gender identity, spirituality, ethnicity, ability, religion, nationality, socio-economic status, and others.

Providing awareness and education to the entire university community around issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and privilege. 

ODI Centers

The Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) empowers and increases the visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) people by promoting equality and inclusiveness at the University of Maine. The RRC strives to maintain an open, safe, and supportive environment for all students, staff, faculty, and alumni and provide educational opportunities, information, and advocacy services.
We are committed to building an inclusive campus community that does not merely tolerate, but respects and honors all individuals at the University of Maine. We envision a community where all live in equality.

Core Values

  • Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Multicultural Competence: To prepare students to live responsibility in an increasingly global civilization.
  • Education and Advocacy: To raise awareness of LGBTQ issues across campus through education and advocacy.
  • Inclusivity and Broad Access: To create opportunities for all students to feel safe and welcomed and become active participants in the community.
  • Student Development and Leadership: To provide all students the tools and opportunities to become involved and achieve their goals for success.
  • Community Outreach: To meet the needs of the community through collaboration and innovation.

The Intersectional Feminist Resource Center (IFRC) supports and empowers students of all identities and backgrounds at the University of Maine. The IFRC strives to provide education around feminist topics including, and not limited to, sexual health and wellness in a space that is free from judgement and is open to individual experiences and expressions. In addition, the IFRC connects students with information about support services in the area. The center is dedicated to creating a more inclusive future through programming and events grounded at the intersections of feminism and social justice while breaking binaries, dismantling systems of oppression, and forging connections on an individual and campus-wide level.

The Multicultural Center serves a community of culturally diverse students. We are a resource and an advocate for traditionally underrepresented populations. The Center empowers all students and their organizations to create a vibrant and inclusive Maine community. Through various programs, the center explores critical issues on campus about race, class, ethnicity, nationality, culture, gender, and how to best support the success of students from marginalized communities and cultures.

Through the Multicultural Center, we provide:

  • A community that embraces diverse backgrounds, and appreciates the intersection of multiple cultural identities.
  • A safe and welcoming space for relaxation, meetings, studying
  • Educational, Cultural and Social Programs
  • Extensive campus and community resources

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ODI Training Sessions

Intersectional Feminist

Intro to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Over the last couple of years, we have seen an increase in DEI committees, initiatives, mission statements, and other commitments to creating equity. During this session, we are going to explore the basic definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The facilitator hopes to explore diverse identities and what they mean to us. We will focus on developing skills that will help us be effective communicators.
This presentation can be facilitated in person and/or via Zoom.

The training sessions take approximately 2 hours.

Multicultural

Transforming Self for Racial Equity

Participants are led in guided discussions to analyze race in America. The facilitator hopes to use the time to help ask questions and explore possible responses together. Together we will develop skills to engage in conversations around race. We will explore implicit bias, microaggressions, and their impacts on our communities. By addressing these important topics, we hope to create a sense of belonging for all.
This training is offered by request and can be done in person and/or via Zoom.

The training takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Rainbow Resource Center

Safe Zone Training

We welcome you to participate in this introduction to Safe Zone 101. During this session, we will define terminology to help understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. And together, we hope to learn definitions, understand pronouns, and find ways to be effective and supportive allies.

This training session takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Response Language as a Professional Competency

There many folx right here in our community who are harmed by words, actions, and situations on a daily basis. Now that we know it exists, there are things that we can do to mitigate these impacts. There are ways that we can mitigate those harms by knowing how to prevent, interrupt, and respond to microaggressions and biases.

This training session takes approximately 1.5 hours.

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The ODI Team