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My department has yet to acknowledge and stance a clear public stance against anti-Black racism and the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black lives.
On Monday’s faculty meeting, it was business as usual. The meeting opened with conversations about current reads and movie recommendations.
I purposefully changed my zoom profile pic to a Black Lives Matter flag before the meeting because I expected this.
Still nothing.
I purposefully changed my zoom profile pic to a Black Lives Matter flag before the meeting because I expected this.
Still nothing.
I received some private messages and emails on the call. Which I appreciated but it wasn’t enough.
A conversation around recruitment of the incoming class in fall 2021, that got my blood boiling as there are current students who are hurting, more so now than ever.
A conversation around recruitment of the incoming class in fall 2021, that got my blood boiling as there are current students who are hurting, more so now than ever.
I went into the meeting with the intention of announcing to everyone that was letter calling for action towards racial justice would be sent to the chair and all program directors from concerned students and alumni.
I did and was asked to share with the entire department.
I did and was asked to share with the entire department.
Yesterday, I sent the letter to my department’s leadership requesting statement and with 6 demands. Supported + signed by 86 current students and alumni.
Some of them of confirmed that they’ve read + received it.
We are waiting for an official response + first steps of action
Some of them of confirmed that they’ve read + received it.
We are waiting for an official response + first steps of action
For the last two years, I’ve dealt with various forms of racism at this institution. Yet I still have to perform, make deadlines and meet benchmarks, my face, voice, and unpaid time are often used to promote and recruit yet I remain invisible and I’m tired.
The concerned students and alumni request the Department of Health Policy and Management at UCLA to take the following actions:
(1) Send an email to all students, faculty, and staff affiliated with our department expressing a clear stance against the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless Black lives, both known and unknown.
(2) Require all professors in our department to accommodate student requests for final exam and final paper extensions due to emotional and logistical burdens associated with recent murder of Black lives, protests, or COVID-19...
(2 continued)... To prevent burden on TAs and on faculty, extend grade submission deadlines for faculty upon request.
(3) Compile & continually update a list of resources for students, faculty, & staff facing unprecedented emotional and logistical burdens at this time. This list should include resources related to academic support, how to be an ally in social movements, and self-care & wellness.
(4) Prioritize and greatly increase transparency about the steps the HPM and FSPH are taking to create tangible and structural change in our institution. For example, send out regular email updates regarding: hiring practices and how they ensure representation from communities...
(4 continued) ... that are under-represented in academia; how funding and spending are aligned with anti-racist values; and recent and upcoming implicit bias, equity, and social justice trainings that faculty, students, and staff are required to attend.
(5) Require academic training for all students on race, racism, and social justice, including curricula on White supremacy, White privilege, White fragility, and implicit bias to help ensure accountability for biases, prejudices, and understanding privileges.
(6) Commit faculty meeting time to thinking through and planning long-term actions. These may include hiring more Black faculty, reviewing existing criteria for scholarship and tenure...
(6 continued) ...requiring faculty to go through implicit bias training, and actively evaluating how coursework is perpetuating or promoting inequalities and racism.
Full letter sent to department and FSPH leadership on 6/2/2020.
Signed by 86 students and alumni.
Signed by 86 students and alumni.
The response, sent on June 4th:
Next steps:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔘" title="Optionsfeld" aria-label="Emoji: Optionsfeld">Institutionalize and document their ideas into achievable and actionable items
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔘" title="Optionsfeld" aria-label="Emoji: Optionsfeld">Get a timeline
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔘" title="Optionsfeld" aria-label="Emoji: Optionsfeld">Hold them accountable
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔘" title="Optionsfeld" aria-label="Emoji: Optionsfeld">Keep applying pressure
But first, let me finish my finals https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥴" title="Woozy face" aria-label="Emoji: Woozy face">
