From: Michael S. Roth
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Subject: Equity Task Force
Dear friends,
At the end of last semester I indicated we would be creating a task force to explore the establishment of a multicultural resource center as part of our broader effort to improve equity and inclusion on campus. This task force will be tri-chaired by Professor Gina Athena Ulysse, Shardonay Pagett ’18, and Antonio Farias, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion. Their initial report is expected next month and final recommendations by May 1. You will be able to find updates on their work and related events, including a community dialogue to be held early this semester, at http://equity.wesleyan.edu. This is important work, and I thank the members of this task force for their participation.
It need hardly be said that making our campus more equitable and inclusive is a communal goal and must be a communal effort. In the course of this work we will be challenged to truly listen to differing viewpoints and to learn from them. In 2016 let’s each and every one of us do what we can—be it personal, political, or intellectual—to contribute to equity and inclusion at Wesleyan.
Michael S. Roth
President
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Charge to the Presidential Equity Task Force
Purpose: To review and provide timely recommendations to the president based on expressed need by undergraduates for a multi-use Center (Multicultural, 1st Gen, Gender) and staffing to support living and learning experience of marginalized communities on campus.
Recommendations to the President will be presented on an ongoing basis, with an initial report by February 14, 2016 and a more comprehensive report by March 4, 2016, to include the following:
- Provide clear statement of the problems and solutions offered in developing a Center,
- Highlight meaningful policy changes required to support and sustain a Center,
- Create effective mechanism to coordinate, centralize, and communicate change efforts,
- Consider broader issue of Cultivating Belonging and
- Submit final recommendations to the President and the campus community by May 1st, at which time, unless reauthorized, the task force will conclude its charge.
Three broad areas the center is expected to contribute to overall campus efforts:
- Enhance lived experience of students
- Advise on inclusive curricular reform
- Reinforce and encourage faculty scholarship pertaining to marginalized communities, social justice, and sense of belonging.
Tri-Chairs:
Gina Athena Ulysse (Faculty)
Shardonay Pagett (Student ’18)
Antonio Farias (VP E&I)