Discussions open to all faculty on the issues of racial injustice in America, and on the challenges and inequities that emerge at the intersection of identity and crisis, are scheduled for Friday, June 5, and Tuesday, June 9.
The discussions, organized by the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence in collaboration with the Office of Faculty Affairs, are part of the university’s overall response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and subsequent protests for racial justice in a number of cities that also have placed a spotlight on the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, Georgia, and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. The discussions will be held via Zoom.
Register to attend the June 5 faculty discussion. >>
Register to attend the June 9 faculty discussion. >>
The faculty discussions are part of a series of virtual events being hosted by the university as an opportunity to come together as a community to discuss how Vanderbilt can meaningfully respond and take tangible next steps for action.
A series of listening sessions are also currently being held for staff. The first, held yesterday on June 2, had 75 attendees. Registrations for the June 4 and June 5 staff listening sessions are also at capacity. Attendance for the sessions was limited, with the intention of creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing and would allow for more participation and candor.
Additional listening sessions for staff are being planned.
The Office for Inclusive Excellence is also working with student leaders to plan virtual events for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for postdoctoral fellows. Information on these sessions will be shared in the coming days.