Statement of the Academic Senate Leaders regarding systemic racism and recent social unrest
June 1, 2020
As the elected leaders of the University of Utah Academic Senate, we join with and support the sentiments expressed yesterday by President Watkins and the University’s senior leadership about the systemic racism that exists in society. Like the administration, we do not condone violence and applaud the campus conversations the University has had to make meaningful inroads into hatred and bigotry. We also support the administration’s stated desire to “make this historically white institution more representative of and responsive to the diverse communities we serve.” Toward that end, we call upon the Administration to significantly increase the financial resources pledged toward the goal of hiring more faculty and staff of color and increasing the diversity of our student body. When we have a more diverse community, the conversations about how best to achieve equity and inclusion will be more robust and efficacious. Words of action, bolstered by additional financial resources, are necessary if we are to make good on our promise of a compassionate, equitable and just society for all.
Randy Dryer
Senate President
Julio Facelli
Immediate Past-president
Christy Porucznik
President-elect