U of M creates initiative against systemic racism
The University of Memphis has created 14 focus groups to carry forward a new initiative to “eradicate systemic racism and promote social justice,” both within the campus community and beyond, the university announced Friday.
Daphene R. Mcferren, executive director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Karen Weddlewest, vice president of student academic success and director of diversity initiatives and Linda G. Hall, associate dean of multicultural affairs are overseeing the initiative, according to the announcement.
The three created the focus groups and will curate diverse groups of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community and corporate leaders, according to U of M.
Fourteen groups will address the following areas, to include retention, achievement and health gaps, salary, equity in faculty recruitment and new program development:
• Closing gaps in retention and completion of students from historically underrepresented, first-generation and low-income populations
• Recruiting, hiring and retaining tenured and tenure-track African American faculty and other faculty of color
• Community engagement, policy and advocacy
• Training for faculty, staff and students-cultural competence
• Infrastructure, support and assessment of eradicating racism initiative
• Equity, race, career opportunities, salary
• Curriculum: Infusing diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice into existing courses
• New program development, race and social justice
• Fostering a sense of belonging and support for all
• Contracting with minority businesses
• Institute for Public Service Reporting/radio partnership with Crosstown Concourse
• Recruiting and graduating African American doctoral students and other graduate students of color
• Branding
• Health disparities and academic achievement
“As an institution of higher education in one of the most diverse communities in America, our University is committed to being part of the solution,” U of M President M. David Rudd said in a statement. “We are a place of hope, healing and healthy debate...it is clear that Memphis needs us, and we are here to help...i am proud to be a Memphian and a part of a community that works together. Our University is committed to being a part of the solution and helping drive the change and reform needed.”
U of M has made gains since the Memphis State Eight — Eleanor Gandy, Sammie Burnett Johnson, Marvis Kneeland Jones, Bertha Rogers Looney, Rose Blakney Love, Luther Mcclellan, Ralph Prater and John Simpson — integrated the university in September of 1959, but still has more to do, the announcement acknowledged.
“However, the death of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police and protests for racial equality around the world have created a moment of disruption, contemplation and opportunities for the U of M,” the announcement read. “By examining its policies, practices and outcomes, the U of M aims to create transformative institutional change that will help eradicate structural racism and institutional biases.”
The initiative is “core” to U of M becoming “a standard-bearer for racial equality and social justice,” the announcement read, and will impact the university’s programming as well as alumni, regional and national engagement.
Laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino