Dear CCA Community,
What took place on May 25 in Minneapolis exposed, again, the terrible systems that support violence against Black lives. The murder of George Floyd sparked a movement that is reframing the meaning of responsible citizenship, even amid the continuing crisis of COVID–19. Like so many in our country, the CCA community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees—is responding and demanding change. And you are asking what meaningful steps the college can take to stand against racial injustice and to advance social equity.
I value the transformative power of education and take pride in the generations of CCA alumni who are making our country a more just, sustainable, and equitable society. Yet this is not enough. We have a long way to go, and leaders have a special responsibility to reflect upon and critique the structure of their institutions. We must continuously and consistently confront power relations within our own walls that devalue, disempower, or disrespect members of our community. Institutions are part of a larger American society plagued since its inception by structural inequities—especially for African Americans. Pledging energy, commitment, and resources, CCA will take on the task of defining and implementing reparative steps that are definitive, measurable, and transparent.
Following are some of the steps we are initiating now and others we are building upon. I ask that you recognize them for what they are—small steps in an ongoing journey that we are committed to continuing for as long as CCA stands as an institution.
Juneteenth day of service
Beginning this year, CCA will institute an annual day of service on Juneteenth (June 19, 2020), a day that celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. We will plan an additional service day in the fall that will focus on decolonial initiatives.
Diversity and inclusion performance goals
All departments will be required to include a diversity and inclusion goal as part of this year’s annual staff performance review process, with the purpose of promoting accountability in our efforts to foster cultural competence, diversity, and inclusivity within our community of students, staff, and faculty.
Diversifying the CCA Board of Trustees
The CCA Board of Trustees has begun a renewed effort to improve diversity and inclusion within its governing body. Recognizing the need for deep expertise to help develop and take action on an effective diversity and inclusion plan, the board researched and selected an outside expert to support this work, which will be comprehensive and ongoing.
Racial justice and equity resource list
Last week, I invited members of our community to share anti-racism resources you have found helpful and would like to offer to others. Your suggestions are being gathered on a Community-Sourced Racial Justice + Equity Resources page on Portal, a collection of peer-to-peer recommendations that will grow over time. If you’d like to offer an additional resource, please do so here.
Emotional support group meetings
HR is in the process of scheduling emotional support groups for BIPOC colleagues, as well as non-targeted groups. These sessions for faculty and staff will be guided by a licensed counselor to help participants address the trauma of racial tension and violence.
Voter friendly campus
Since fall 2019, various departments and programs have been crafting an action plan to become a Voter Friendly Campus. The multi-pronged approach will focus community efforts related to voter registration, education, and turnout. In November 2020, CCA will once again serve as a polling location.
Coordinated institutional reflection, action, and assessment
Advancing a racially just and equitable culture at CCA will require continuous, comprehensive work. Several groups and many individuals on our campus have long been committed to this work, including the President’s Diversity Steering Group, the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, and the Decolonial School, and we are all beneficiaries of their energy and expertise. The work ahead, though, involves all of us—not just our diversity-focused groups and task forces.
As I said in my message last week, we as an institution have the power and the privilege that positions us to act in meaningful ways to promote social justice and community engagement. In the days since, I’ve returned repeatedly to considering the power we have individually as well—as artists, designers, writers, architects, scholars, teachers, activists, and others who support this creative work—to shape the future of our society and our world.
I will close this message with a personal commitment to redouble my own efforts to further educate myself about BIPOC racism and anti-blackness; to facilitate systemic institutional change by creating space and prioritizing time and resources for this work; and to participate actively in these efforts. I am grateful for the thoughtful feedback and critique I have received from this community, and I look forward to working with each of you to address the structural inequities that exist on our campus and in our community.
Sincerely,
Steve