Update
to
the
BW
community
As
we
have
stated
throughout
the
summer,
BW
recognizes
that
antiracism
messaging
in
solidarity
with
the
current
national
movement
for
racial
equity
is
not
enough.
While
BW's
values
have
supported
diversity,
inclusion
and
equal
access
for
all
since
the
University's
founding,
we
know
that,
in
practice,
we
have
not
always
lived
up
to
those
values
for
each
and
every
member
of
our
campus
community.
While
BW
continues
to
support
the
call
for
systemic
change
in
our
country,
we
must
take
a
hard
look
at
our
own
campus
and
be
prepared
to
take
concrete
action
to
create
the
inclusive,
safe
and
respectful
environment
we
desire
for
every
student,
professor
and
staff
member.
To
that
end,
BW
has
established
a
Racial
Equity
Task
Force
that
includes
students,
alumni,
faculty
and
staff
of
color.
The
Task
Force's
first
charge
will
be
to
listen
with
an
unblinking
eye
to
underrepresented
students
and
alumni
and
to
collect
information
on
campus
culture
and
practices.
We
are
aware
of
social
media
posts
articulating
some
of
the
negative
experiences
of
Black
students
at
BW
and
will
include
those
voices
in
the
Task
Force's
review
and
call
for
action.
Additionally,
the
Task
Force
welcomes
direct
comments
and
responses
through
the
form
which
can
be
found
at
THIS
LINK.
Submissions
to
this
form
may
be
anonymous.
The
Task
Force's
efforts
will
include
commissioning
a
holistic,
detailed
audit
of
BW
diversity
and
inclusion
(to
be
conducted
by
an
outside
expert)
for
the
purpose
of
setting
tangible
goals
to
achieve
more
equitable
representation
across
the
University.
A
contract
has
been
established
with
Compass
Consulting
Services
LLC
to
lead
us
in
this
work.
The
University
is
also
developing
new
policies,
responses
and
processes
to
more
effectively
address
racial
bias
and
discrimination.
This
work
is
in
conjunction
with
the
policy
revisions
which
have
been
mandated
by
recently
published
federal
regulations
regarding
compliance
with
Title
IX.
As
the
BW
community,
we
pledge
to
hold
ourselves
to
a
higher
standard
than
the
minimum
required
by
federal
law.
Please
note
that
reports
can
already
be
submitted
for
response
under
the
University's
Equal
Opportunity,
Harassment
and
Non-Discrimination
Policy
using
THIS
LINK.
BW
is
committed
to
expediting
this
work
so
that
significant
changes
and
real
outcomes
can
begin
to
occur
during
the
upcoming
semester.
The
University
stands
ready
to
take
the
steps
needed
to
identify
and
address
underlying
issues
of
racism
and
discrimination
in
all
their
forms
with
the
ultimate
goal
of
creating
a
safe
space
for
each
member
of
our
community
to
feel
valued
and
to
thrive.
-
Charles
(CJ)
Harkness,
Chief
Diversity
Officer
