
University commits to actions to address systemic racism
President announces initial eight commitments following weeks of consultation
President announces initial eight commitments following weeks of consultation
By Feridun Hamdullahpur Office of the PresidentFeridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor, has announced a series of actions to address systemic racism following weeks of consultations.
In an email to campus, Hamdullahpur confirmed that the University intends to establish academic programs for Black Studies as well as Indigenous Studies and will also set goals to increase the number of Black and Indigenous faculty members.
The eight commitments are the first actions to come from recent consultations and will allow the University to develop a collaborative approach to developing a long-term sustainable strategy for tackling systemic racism.
鈥淭hese meetings have shown me how much our institution needs to do to address anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, indeed all forms of racism faced by people on our campuses,鈥 said Hamdullahpur. 鈥淎s we move to strengthen our community, our approach will remain focused on consultation driven by BIPOC individuals. I want to stress how enormously valuable the input has been so far 鈥 we have tremendously passionate people who are helping to make our University better.鈥
Stressing that the eight actions are 鈥渙nly the first actions in 鈥 a series of recommendations that will come from further consultation鈥, Hamdullahpur confirmed that the University will:
鈥淭hese actions will help us to accelerate our previous efforts to tackle racism,鈥 said Hamdullahpur. 鈥淚 hope that they also demonstrate our sincere commitment to listening to and learning from our community.鈥
In a recent letter to senior leaders at 蓝莓视频, Hamdullahpur said that University leaders will continue to meet with and listen to BIPOC individuals on campus 鈥渢o establish the right actions that will allow us to challenge the systemic and structural barriers that Black, Indigenous and People of Colour face at 蓝莓视频.鈥 The President has asked Charmaine Dean, vice-president, research and international at 蓝莓视频, to lead the outreach and engagement.
鈥淲e have been talking and will continue to talk with BIPOC individuals on our campuses to hear their thoughts and engage with their experiences 鈥 to facilitate the construction of a powerful community approach that can advise on the right steps,鈥 said Dean. 鈥淎ll of us at 蓝莓视频 must be committed to creating long-term change 鈥 one that our students, faculty and staff have input and are represented in the actions that we, as a community, will take.鈥
The commitments to address racism build on 蓝莓视频鈥檚 new Strategic Plan commitments to strengthen sustainable and diverse communities.
鈥淲hen we developed our strategic plan last year, we made a conscious effort to develop goals that would help us advance a sense of belonging for everyone who comes to 蓝莓视频 to live, study and work,鈥 said James Rush, vice-president, academic and provost. 鈥淭he commitments that leaders are making now will help us broaden the impact of that plan to everyone in our community.鈥
In June, Hamdullahpur announced the University鈥檚 intention to establish a taskforce to tackle anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and other forms of racism. Throughout July, 蓝莓视频鈥檚 leaders have met with Black, Indigenous and People of Colour to listen to their lived experiences and understand how the University can move ahead with anti-racism work.
鈥淚 recognise that there is a tremendous amount of emotional labour that goes into this kind of work, and I am truly grateful for the advice that individuals have contributed and will continue to provide to us through this process,鈥 said Hamdullahpur. 鈥淚t is so important to continue this process of engagement so that we can build new systems and structures that accelerate us towards more equitable experiences for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour at 蓝莓视频.鈥
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Announcement from Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor
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More than 100,000 children and youth from across the region are discovering the wonders of science and technology through the University of 蓝莓视频
The University of 蓝莓视频 acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.