Unity

Sponsored by Mississippi University for Women’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, this is the second year for The W UNITY Project.

The interactive public art project, known as UNITY, is based on the work of Nancy Belmont. Belmont's project was selected for its potential to draw attention, encourage engagement and give representation to every member of The W community.

Thirty-two posts will stand in a circle near Bryan Green Gazebo, all but one representing a different social role or identity, personal trait or worldview. The 32nd pole will be a blank slate, and participants will be able to write in an additional identifier they feel is important to their sense of self. Each person will select the poles that represent the various aspects of their identity and will string blue yarn from one to the other, creating a crisscrossing pattern. Highlighting the multiple identities that intersect to make each person unique, the project demonstrates how each layer of an individual's identity connects them to a different subset of the community in such a way that all of the subsets are ultimately connected to form a larger whole.

Volunteers from the DEI Council will be on hand to answer questions and ensure compliance with public safety guidelines.

Miller established the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council last fall to promote equity, diversity and inclusion on campus through increasing self-awareness and facilitating intercultural competence.

The Council includes representatives from various departments, Faculty Senate, Staff Council and the Student Government Association.