SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force
Posted June 12, 2020
Earlier today, SIU System President Dan Mahony sent a system-wide message that racism is an issue that must be addressed. Last Wednesday, June 3, the Chancellor invited Dr. Jessica Harris, Interim Assistant Provost for Academic Equity and Inclusive Excellence, and Lindy Wagner, Director of the Center Student Diversity and Inclusion, to attend Extended Chancellor’s Council to discuss the pressing concerns of disrupting racism at our campus and preparing our graduates and community members to confront racism whenever they may encounter it.
At that meeting, Dr. Harris proposed a Task Force on Anti-Racism to propel the University forward to action. Our leadership team recognizes the “Fierce Urgency of Now” as she and others have urged us to do. Our next steps will no doubt include listening and learning, but we must ACT. We recognize there is hard work ahead, but creating change is critical to our University community and essential for nurturing a sustainable future.
Accordingly, we are creating a Task Force to address four specific areas, which are included in the attachment. We have heard the pain and frustration among our students, staff and faculty. Emails and town halls will not be enough. Action and urgency are essential.
This approach must be rooted in humility, truth-telling, critical analysis, reflection, and a willingness to confront structural arrangements and institutional policies and practices that reinforce racism. And certainly, we must all do the work of challenging our individual beliefs.
As we listen and learn, we must provide support and leadership that addresses inequities and fosters an inclusive climate in order to become a more just campus. We must all commit to this work, not just those who have been pushing tirelessly to improve our community and dismantle racism. We are committing to being better allies.
In keeping with the urgency and importance, we will move as quickly as possible and share results in the next days and weeks. Just as our leadership team committed to regular meetings to address the COVID pandemic, we will convene two mornings each week to advance our response to the persistent problems of racism.
We want to thank all who have helped move us in this process, particularly Dr. Harris, for her work initiating this proposal. We are also grateful for the work and support of SIUE’s Associate Chancellor for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Venessa Brown and Dr. Lakesha Butler, President of the Black Faculty & Staff Association. We look forward to working with the members of the Task Force, Diversity Council and campus community as we set out on this journey.
We invite your feedback and participation in upcoming events, conversations, and efforts. Thank you.
Randy Pembrook, Chancellor
Denise Cobb, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Rachel Stack, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
Rich Walker, Vice Chancellor for Administration
Jeffrey Waple, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
