\u201cAnti-fat bias is so present but there’s never been a space for that discussion,” says Office for Social Justice and Diversity Director Adela Caceres. “This is a huge learning opportunity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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As a Montclair alumna, MFA Studio Art \u201916, currently pursuing a master of arts in Higher Education<\/a>, Spitz also serves as Department Administrator for Art and Design<\/a>. Identifying as a \u201cfat person\u201d \u2013 a term she uses descriptively and as an identity \u2013 she is committed to raising awareness about this often-overlooked bias and improving inclusivity on campus.<\/p>\n Spitz\u2019s efforts have already influenced leaders and staff at 精品成人福利在线 University, resulting in positive changes on campus including:<\/p>\n The \u201cDecline to Weigh\u201d policy allows patients to opt out of being weighed when seeking services. If deemed medically necessary to obtain a weight, those measurements are taken \u201cblind,\u201d says Interim Student Health Center Director Sarah Jennings, \u201cmeaning the numbers are not shared with the patient.\u201d<\/p>\n Spitz says such a policy \u201cis particularly important for students with eating disorders as seeing or knowing their weight can trigger dangerous eating disorder habits. If we can dispel the myth that your weight is controllable and the way that your weight impacts your health \u2013 it’s a very small portion \u2013 those are the two key things that I’ve been trying to dispel, because that’s what the research says helps with biases.\u201dJennings praises Spitz\u2019s commitment, noting that her involvement \u201cprompted a number of meaningful changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking advantage of President Jonathan Koppell\u2019s invitation to students to walk and talk with him around campus<\/a>, Spitz shared some of her findings with him. In turn, he shared it with members of his leadership team, who have been receptive to her presentation on the history and implications of \u201cWeight Based Discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Meza Soufleris, who has Spitz in a graduate class, invited Spitz to present her research to her staff. \u201cShe has been advocating for a number of things via the Disabilities Caucus, including larger seating and other body-positive frameworks, as well as teaching many of us the history of anti-fatness from a DEI perspective. It’s fascinating and is her passion.\u201d<\/p>\n She may have a larger campus audience in the spring. Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Special Assistant to the President Ashante Connor says: \u201cWe are working to provide a platform for her to raise awareness and educate our community around weight inclusion. Anti-fatness shows up in ways that typically our conscious mind is unaware of, especially in the hiring process and other selection processes. Our goal is to provide a space and platform for any employee who is committed to advancing inclusion and access for the entire community.\u201d<\/p>\n Spitz\u00a0 also has shared her findings with the Disability Caucus, of which she is an executive board member, as well as the Office for Social Justice and Diversity professors and students.<\/p>\n Office for Social Justice and Diversity Director Adela Caceres, who also serves as Spitz\u2019s mentor, found the information eye-opening and invited her to a training for about 30 graduate and undergraduate students who work with the office. \u201cShe’s doing some amazing work,\u201d Caceres says. \u201cAnti-fat bias is so present but it\u2019s never talked about, and at a university like this, where we have such a diverse group of students, there are many that identify with this particular community, but there’s never been a space for that discussion. Even for me, it was a huge learning opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Spitz\u2019s research highlights that anti-fatness is a complex, multifaceted issue with deep historical roots and wide-ranging impacts on individuals and society. Major takeaways from the findings include:<\/p>\n Spitz has a long list of recommendations that could result in cultural and systemic changes at Montclair and other institutions of higher education to combat anti-fatness, including:<\/p>\n While systemic changes take time, Spitz is determined to keep advocating for inclusion. She is also working on publishing a peer-reviewed study focusing on weight-based discrimination in higher education. \u201cSeeing these results will be healing for so many students for years to come,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful for all my mentors and collaborators on-campus who supported me and gave me the opportunities to present my work.\u201d<\/p>\n Prospective Student \/ Parent: <\/strong>Learn more about Art & Design<\/strong><\/a> and Higher Education<\/strong><\/a> or <\/strong>plan a visit to our campus<\/strong><\/a> and <\/strong>take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Journalist: <\/strong>Contact the Media Relations team<\/a> for assets or to schedule an interview with the researcher about this topic. See more Faculty Experts<\/a> and hi-res media assets<\/a> available for download.<\/p>\nTurning Research into Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Raising Awareness Across Campus<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Key Takeaways from Anti-Fat Bias Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Why Weight Bias Matters in Higher Education<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Recommendations for Change<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What\u2019s Next for Anti-Fat Bias Research and Advocacy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
I\u2019m a ______, tell me more…<\/strong><\/h2>\n