The 2015-16 University Theme, Equity as a Human Right: Building Inclusive Community, is about upholding people’s rights, valuing diversity, challenging intolerance, and making institutional change around issues of social justice.

We live in a world where differences and diversity encompass religion, race, class, sexuality, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, ability, and language, which necessitates that we foster an affirmative environment for social change and differences.

• How should Winona State University embrace diversity and challenge systems of oppression in ways that are inclusive, empathetic, and intellectually rigorous?
• How do we shift our thinking from “tolerating others” to “valuing our diversity” and working for human rights?
• How does working for equity and social justice enrich our lives?
• What resources can help WSU Winona & WSU Rochester students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the wider community, prepare for an increasingly diverse world?

The 2015-16 University Theme addressed these questions in a way that to enable students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider Winona and Rochester communities to explore the intersections of identities, cultures, and abilities.