As part of their ongoing efforts to subvert institutional racism, faculty are exploring how their teaching, coursework, and the University’s curriculum can avoid a colonized representation of subject matter and implicit bias or racism. Among these initiatives: creating new interdisciplinary courses; integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion units into Clark’s current offerings; and holding faculty inquiry groups, as well as developing events and programs, focused on anti-racist pedagogy. In addition, Clark is increasing academic, internship, and career resources for diverse student populations.
The Action Item has been fully implemented.
The Action Item is being worked on, with the goal of completion.
The Action Item is part of Clark’s continuous work.
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Action Item: Develop First-Year Intensive seminar for international students
Create a First-Year Intensive seminar specifically focused on the international student experience.
Action Item: Appoint leadership to continue evolving anti-racist pedagogy
Appoint leadership to continue evolving anti-racist pedagogy in the University’s curriculum.
Action Item: Develop events and workshops on decolonizing the curriculum
A core group of faculty will hold events and workshops around decolonizing the curriculum and anti-racist pedagogy. This work is being coordinated by the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies (CGRAS), Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), and the Higgins School of Humanities.
Action Item: Create new interdisciplinary courses on complex topics
Introduce new team-taught, interdisciplinary courses that respond to current, complex topics through a diversity of lenses.
Action Item: Convene faculty inquiry groups on anti-racist pedagogy
In collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the Hiatt Center for Urban Education, and the Higgins School of Humanities, the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies (CGRAS) will create faculty inquiry groups through which faculty will learn about anti-racist pedagogy, interrogate their existing pedagogy, and build new teaching practices.…
Action Item: Include DEI unit in Clark Navigator classes
A diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) unit will be included in the Clark Navigator class for first-year students.
Action Item: Add diversity and inclusion issues to peer learning assistant training
Diversity and inclusion will be included as part of peer learning assistant (PLA) training, under the leadership of Laurie Ross, associate dean and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), and Michael Vidal, director for diversity and inclusive excellence in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).
Action Item: Faculty Steering Committee to prioritize DEI issues
The Faculty Steering Committee will prioritize issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This includes working closely with President David Fithian to ensure that the administration provides monthly updates at both Steering and Faculty Assembly regarding the demands expressed by faculty and the Black Student Union.
Action Item: Create Anti-Racist Pedagogy Repository for faculty
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) will set up an Anti-Racist Pedagogy Repository for faculty on Moodle.
Action Item: Commit more resources to CGRAS
Clark will commit new resources to the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies (CGRAS), enabling it to more fully develop and enhance curricular offerings, offer professional development in conjunction with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), and support research related to anti-racist and decolonized academic practices.
Library
Action Item: Create displays celebrating BIPOC community
Implement archival displays, book displays, and programs sharing and celebrating the history and work of Clark’s black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community.
Action Item: Initiate DEI Library Committee
Create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Library Committee to review policies and plan projects to amplify the voices and work of black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); women; and other underrepresented groups.
Student Academic and Career Development
Action Item: Work with faculty to better understand student experiences
Create ways for faculty to better understand the experiences of Clark students, particularly those from underrepresented student populations. This is a joint effort by the dean of the college, the dean of the faculty, and the Division of Student Affairs, all part of the Office of the Provost.
Action Item: Increase access to career resources for diverse student populations
The Career Connections Center will offer more career resources for diverse student populations and provide easy access to such resources on its website.