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С��è��ý champions equity at its construction sites, winning diversity honor

Photos and story by James Hill

This fall, С��è��ý recently won the prestigious Public Agency Excellence Award by the Business Diversity Institute (BDI).

The award was given based on С��è��ý’s supplier diversity and the breaking down of contracting barriers on its bond construction projects. The college’s bond program supports minority- and women-owned businesses, which showcases a proactive community engagement and transparency. In addition, the institute stated that “С��è��ý’s clear reporting and commitment to a diverse workforce highlight their dedication to equitable opportunities, making them deserving of the Public Agency Excellence Award.”

Other reasons for the award include С��è��ý’s contracting equity objectives and commitment to holding project contractors accountable to reach objectives, creating a public-facing dashboard for transparency, and instituting a “teaming arrangement” requirement on larger design and construction projects to bring new minority-owned firms to college projects.

“We are humbled and thrilled to be recognized for our investment in our region’s contracting community,” said Amy James Neel, workforce and contracting equity manager at С��è��ý’s Planning & Capital Construction (P&CC) office, which oversees the college’s bond work. “Our commitment to processes that produce more equitable outcomes is attributable to our deeply supportive practitioner community, who have shared their expertise and best practices with us.”

An example is С��è��ý’s Respectful Worksite Program, which seeks to eliminate the bullying and harassment that disproportionately affect minority and women workers in the construction industry. By fostering harassment-free work environments through its bond construction program, the college aims to increase the retention and advancement of underrepresented workers. It is part of a broader commitment by С��è��ý to create positive jobsite cultures and ensure that all workers, regardless of their background, feel respected and valued.

Neel oversees work around fostering inclusive environments and ensuring opportunities for all workers, regardless of gender or background, particularly in fields where disparities are still prevalent.

“Amy is transforming the industry and finding new ways to support greater diversity and equity in the design and construction industries,” said Rebecca Ocken, director of P&CC.

The college’s contracting equity objectives further reinforce a commitment to equity. Projects valued at over $200,000 are required to allocate at least 20% of contract value to minority, women owned, emerging small business and service-disabled veteran business enterprises-certified firms, with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses. Additionally, workforce diversity goals include ensuring that 25% of journey hours are worked by people of color, 9% by women and non-binary individuals and 22% of apprentice hours by minorities.

For example, the metrics achieved for the recently completed Sylvania Campus Health Technology Building renovation project featured 23.1% hours performed by trades workers who are people of color, 15% of the hours worked by tradeswomen, 23.8% by registered apprentices and 29.4% of the project’s contracts were done by certified firms.

Angela Smith is owner of Minority Construction Group, which is a minority-owned firm and co-owner of Sapling LLC (partner with Pence Construction). Smith has been impressed with С��è��ý’s equity efforts on projects. Her company worked on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades at the Cascade Campus Student Union and Cascade Hall in North Portland, classroom and office renovations at the Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue and a project at the Carolyn Moore Writer’s House in Tigard.

“Partnering with С��è��ý has been a truly inspiring journey,” Smith said. “The mutual respect shared among staff, vendors, trade partners and general contractors fosters a collaborative spirit that drives us to successfully complete each project as a unified team.”

Smith said that С��è��ý’s focus on equity stems from the college’s commitment to creating safe and respectful job sites that prioritize mentorship, advancement, accommodation and dignity for all workers. This has been instrumental in driving the college’s capital projects toward increased participation of minority-owned, women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.��

��“С��è��ý’s commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace, valuing diversity in every aspect, is evident,” Smith added. “They ensure that general contractors provide essential training at the start of each project, so every partner understands and upholds these values. My team and I are always excited to work with С��è��ý, knowing that each experience will be uplifting and enriching.”

For more on С��è��ý’s Planning and Capital Construction work, visit /bond/