Racial justice icons Yusef Salaam and Raymond Santana – two of the Exonerated 5 – were the Black History Month keynote speakers on Feb. 17 for a two-hour session that left many University of the Pacific community attendees moved by their tragic but inspirational story.
A new Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, who will report directly to the president, will start on July 1, 2021. Pacific will be one of only two universities in the 10-school West Coast Conference to have a VPDEI.
Pacific now has school-level diversity, equity and inclusion leaders for all schools and colleges. These leaders will work closely with the future VPDEI on university-wide issues.
Comprised of approximately 40 faculty, staff and students, this committee is a collaborative partner in creating and sustaining a university-wide culture that consistently reflects diversity, equity and inclusion as a core value. The committee also sponsors the Champions of Diversity Awards and helps fund campus DEI work with grants.
“Joining the committee was an opportunity for me to learn about DEI at Pacific and contribute to the growth of DEI initiatives. In my research, I talk about the power marketers have in shaping societal views. A company demonstrating diversity, equity, and inclusion goes beyond selling a product, as it shapes our culture as a society. These principles go beyond business and now, more than ever, we all need to understand the role we play in educating ourselves and others on the value of DEI in our everyday lives. Through my involvement with the UCDEI, I hope to grow this awareness.”
Presidential DEI priorities
University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan has prioritized several DEI initiatives for the university including:
University Development and Alumni Relations has embarked on a scholarship campaign for Black students.
Nearly $200,000 in new gifts to support Black students, including $102,792 raised for the new Lift Every Voice Endowed Scholarship, led by Regent Chair Norm Allen, and $87,500 to establish the Diversity and Inclusion Endowed Scholarship for Black Students. Allen said the scholarship effort will support Black students with unmet financial needs and strong leadership traits.
The Division of Student Life has created many DEI-related programs and events during spring semester, with an emphasis on financial aid education, health and wellness, study skills, spiritual life, gender equity and student success for Black, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LGBTQ and first-generation college students. Cultural events include Pacific Spirit Fridays and game and trivia nights.
DEI leads report progress for university’s colleges, schools
President Christopher Callahan’s goals to improve social justice and diversity and to make University of the Pacific a model anti-racist institution will take the efforts of all members of the university community.
Pacific DEI efforts by schools, colleges, staff and alumni
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors with University of the Pacific’s schools and college have done work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. Here are some of those efforts
Conservatory of Music
A collective group of student leaders from Pacific music fraternities, student-run ensembles and the Conservatory of Music Student Senate came together to organize the first Black Lives Matter Solidarity Concert to raise awareness and support arts in Black and minority communities.
Alumni
Pacific alumnus Pete Carroll ’73 ’78 is clear about the racial and social justice issues facing the United States.
McGeorge School of Law
McGeorge School of Law faculty unanimously passed a resolution declaring “unequivocally” that “Black Lives Matter” and that the law school will actively work “to become and remain an antiracist institution.”
Board of Regents and DEI
The Board of Regents will focus on these social justice initiatives:
- Increasing diversity in its membership.
- Exploring campus inclusion and racial bias at the university.
- Audits of university policies and practices that impact diversity, inclusion and racial equity.
- Reviewing the university’s history, policies and practices on social justice issues.
