Welcome to the latest issue of the Bentley Buzz, where we share news and stories about the faculty and staff who make Bentley special. It is compiled by Joan Yenawine, associate director of internal communications. To share your news or an idea for a story, please email buzz@bentley.edu.
 

Nov. 5, 2024

On Monday, Oct. 28, the 2024 Bentley Equity Experience (BEX) Survey launched across campus. For the most comprehensive understanding of our campus community, we need as many people as possible to participate. This is our second BEX survey, and our goal is to better understand the Bentley community and improve our campus climate, culture and values by addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities for change.  

The Inclusive Excellence Council launched the inaugural BEX survey in 2021 to get a baseline understanding of how people in the community felt about the campus climate, and we learned a lot from the results. Since then, we have used the results to inform a lot of important initiatives on campus including:

•    Initiating efforts to improve the gender composition and overall climate for women students through the Falcons Forward 2030 strategic plan
•    Exploring and enhancing safe and inclusive spaces for BIPOC community members, such as the Claudette Blot Multicultural Center Lounge 
•    Establishing the Office of Equal Opportunity and Institutional Equity to build a stronger culture of support, inclusion and accountability
•    Strengthening innovation in teaching through the Inclusive Teaching Fellows Program 

If you haven't yet filled out your survey, here's how to do it:

Search your inbox for your email invitation sent on Oct. 28 with "BEX 2024" in the subject, and click on the link inviting you to complete the 15-minute survey. Using the link on the email addressed to you is the only way to complete the survey. 

If you have NOT yet received your unique survey link, please email us right away at equityexperience@bentley.edu, and we will address the issue as quickly as possible.

Remember, we have prizes!

Each week, we will raffle off a prize to an employee who successfully completes the BEX 2024 survey. Last week, Nicole Newton, academic coordinator, Management won three free lunches to the Faculty and Staff Dining Room.

This week, one faculty member and one staff person will each win a $50 Amazon gift card, generously donated by our friends in Human Resources.

To be eligible for this raffle prize, make sure to complete your BEX survey by 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11! We will announce the winner that day in the BEX Newsletter, and they will be contacted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to coordinate their prize.

Watch the inspiring new video below and read the article  about Julio Mejia ’27. He was the youngest person ever to win a seat on a Massachusetts school committee, which he accomplished just months after starting at Bentley. On campus, this Public Policy major says the Multicultural Center is his homebase and credits courses such as Social Problems (SO 242) and Business Law (LA 100) with influencing his thinking on how social and political systems impact communities.

"The Fridge is my life. It is the reason why I go on. At home, I don’t have food and the Fridge supplements me,” says one student who relies on the Falcon Family Fridge.

The Fridge, which opened last year, provides a way for the Bentley community to donate and receive food and operates on a “leave what you can, take what you need” basis. Demand is so high that keeping the Fridge stocked has been a constant challenge. Christine Lookner, associate dean of Student Equity and Inclusion, says, “Most people don’t know it, but the Falcon Family Fridge empties out every day. Pretty much as soon as food gets donated, someone needs it.” 

Week of Giving Contest 

You’re invited to team up with friends and colleagues to collect food donations to keep the Fridge stocked during the Thanksgiving break, when Bentley cafeterias will be closed but some students remain on campus. Here's how it works:

1. Form a team or make a plan to give on your own 
2. From Wednesday, Nov. 20, through Monday, Nov. 25: Make food donations directly to the Falcon Family Fridge or purchase from our Amazon Wish List 
3. Report your total food donations 

The top faculty/staff team and the top student team will each win a pizza party for up to 15 people as well as recognition in the next Bentley Buzz after Thanksgiving.