The administration finally caved and committed to the mandatory training program we demanded. It is a win, but we are going to watch these hacks like hawks to make sure they do not turn this into a hollow bureaucratic exercise.
November 15, 2018
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students, staff, and faculty of Illinois Wesleyan University, ask that faculty take initiative in structurally and substantially promoting diversity and inclusion university wide. We ask that faculty, staff and students be required to complete at least annual cultural competency trainings with measurable assessment in order to:
- Understand microaggressions and their impact on students, staff, and faculty;
- Be sensitive to the different backgrounds and experiences of students, staff, and faculty
- Be better allies and not be bystanders to racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise prejudicial or discriminatory behaviors and attitudes.
Implementing such a program would show a continued commitment to the university's mission surrounding diversity and inclusion and would create richer learning environments and inclusive experiences for students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds.
During the 9/26/2018 diversity forum surrounding the vandalism of various Black Lives Matter posters across campus, one faculty member asked, “how bad is it?” (in reference to prejudicial and discriminatory behavior/attitudes across campus, including racial insensitivity).
To answer, since fall of 2015, we have witnessed the following:
- Prejudiced behaviors and comments toward underrepresented groups
- Defacement of Aspiration Fountain with a horrible racial slur(s)
- Vandalism and defacement of Muslim Student Association posters in the Memorial Center
- Removal of DACA posters across campus
- Anti-black vandalism in Presser Hall and residence halls
- Anti-semitic and xenophobic vandalism in Presser Hall and across campus
- “Clean up your shit” crudely translated into Chinese (in response to a mess left in a dorm kitchen)
- “The niggers have arrived” commented towards Black students at fraternity events
- Microaggressions perpetrated by faculty, staff and classmates
- Deliberate compartmentalization of diversity issues which inherently intersect (i.e., just talking about sexual assault, just talking about race/ethnicity, just talking about gender, etc) - in classrooms, in extracurriculars, and in casual conversation with professors
- Administrative tendencies toward defensiveness and “explaining away” the issues marginalized students face
This is not an exhaustive list, but a list of the incidents which have recently received campus-wide attention; there are undeniably more. We need more than simple declarations of support. We need an institutional commitment to change, accountability, and actively anti-prejudicial behaviors.
Updates
October 4, 2018
We just hit 250 signatures and the administration can no longer pretend this is just a fringe concern. When faculty members have the audacity to ask how bad the racism actually is on this campus, this is our answer. Keep the pressure on them until they stop ignoring the reality of our experiences.
October 3, 2018
One hundred people have signed on because they are just as sick of the administration's wilful ignorance as I am. The university leadership asked how bad it really is on our campus yet they still refuse to act. We have their attention now and we are not slowing down.
Reached 250 supporters
October 3, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2018
September 30, 2018
The administration is still ignoring the bigotry on this campus while we fight for basic accountability. We are nearly at one hundred signatures so push this link to everyone you know and force them to acknowledge our demands.
63 Comments
I appreciate being informed when I am guilty of microaggressions, because that is never my intention. The resulting dialogue can only help us grow closer.
Please make this training mandatory for all who pass through IWU’s halls. The ones who want to be aware already educate themselves. The ones who need to have this education won’t unless required. Hopefully, they can get a glimpse of what their lack of action may cause to countless others.
It sounds like things are even worse than some of the unfortunate micro aggressions and racial insensitivities we experienced in 1980 not that long after the death of Dr. King. Students were purposely ignorant of diversity and cultural differences and quite happy to remain that way. Sad to hear of this in 2018.
This would help a lot if this was implemented. From a student of color on campus, we go through a lot of miceoagressions not only from other students but faculty and staff as well.
If this training is not mandatory, the faculty and staff that does not need it will be the only ones who attend. Diversity sensitivity is a necessary skill to work with and better the education of young adults.
I wish I were here to see how this will so positively benefit our campus community.
I support this initiative. As we implement our strategic goal of increased diversity, we need to learn how to deal with an increasingly diverse campus.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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The administration finally caved and committed to the mandatory training program we demanded. It is a win, but we are going to watch these hacks like hawks to make sure they do not turn this into a hollow bureaucratic exercise.
November 15, 2018
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students, staff, and faculty of Illinois Wesleyan University, ask that faculty take initiative in structurally and substantially promoting diversity and inclusion university wide. We ask that faculty, staff and students be required to complete at least annual cultural competency trainings with measurable assessment in order to:
- Understand microaggressions and their impact on students, staff, and faculty;
- Be sensitive to the different backgrounds and experiences of students, staff, and faculty
- Be better allies and not be bystanders to racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise prejudicial or discriminatory behaviors and attitudes.
Implementing such a program would show a continued commitment to the university's mission surrounding diversity and inclusion and would create richer learning environments and inclusive experiences for students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds.
During the 9/26/2018 diversity forum surrounding the vandalism of various Black Lives Matter posters across campus, one faculty member asked, “how bad is it?” (in reference to prejudicial and discriminatory behavior/attitudes across campus, including racial insensitivity).
To answer, since fall of 2015, we have witnessed the following:
- Prejudiced behaviors and comments toward underrepresented groups
- Defacement of Aspiration Fountain with a horrible racial slur(s)
- Vandalism and defacement of Muslim Student Association posters in the Memorial Center
- Removal of DACA posters across campus
- Anti-black vandalism in Presser Hall and residence halls
- Anti-semitic and xenophobic vandalism in Presser Hall and across campus
- “Clean up your shit” crudely translated into Chinese (in response to a mess left in a dorm kitchen)
- “The niggers have arrived” commented towards Black students at fraternity events
- Microaggressions perpetrated by faculty, staff and classmates
- Deliberate compartmentalization of diversity issues which inherently intersect (i.e., just talking about sexual assault, just talking about race/ethnicity, just talking about gender, etc) - in classrooms, in extracurriculars, and in casual conversation with professors
- Administrative tendencies toward defensiveness and “explaining away” the issues marginalized students face
This is not an exhaustive list, but a list of the incidents which have recently received campus-wide attention; there are undeniably more. We need more than simple declarations of support. We need an institutional commitment to change, accountability, and actively anti-prejudicial behaviors.
Updates
October 4, 2018
We just hit 250 signatures and the administration can no longer pretend this is just a fringe concern. When faculty members have the audacity to ask how bad the racism actually is on this campus, this is our answer. Keep the pressure on them until they stop ignoring the reality of our experiences.
October 3, 2018
One hundred people have signed on because they are just as sick of the administration's wilful ignorance as I am. The university leadership asked how bad it really is on our campus yet they still refuse to act. We have their attention now and we are not slowing down.
Reached 250 supporters
October 3, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2018
September 30, 2018
The administration is still ignoring the bigotry on this campus while we fight for basic accountability. We are nearly at one hundred signatures so push this link to everyone you know and force them to acknowledge our demands.
63 Comments
This is a long time in the making and it honestly should have been enforced a long time ago. This should also be branched to fraternity houses and sports teams. If they have to attend forums on sexual assault, then should certainly be made to attend this by their chapters and coaches.
I appreciate being informed when I am guilty of microaggressions, because that is never my intention. The resulting dialogue can only help us grow closer.
Please make this training mandatory for all who pass through IWU’s halls. The ones who want to be aware already educate themselves. The ones who need to have this education won’t unless required. Hopefully, they can get a glimpse of what their lack of action may cause to countless others.
It sounds like things are even worse than some of the unfortunate micro aggressions and racial insensitivities we experienced in 1980 not that long after the death of Dr. King. Students were purposely ignorant of diversity and cultural differences and quite happy to remain that way. Sad to hear of this in 2018.
This would help a lot if this was implemented. From a student of color on campus, we go through a lot of miceoagressions not only from other students but faculty and staff as well.
If this training is not mandatory, the faculty and staff that does not need it will be the only ones who attend. Diversity sensitivity is a necessary skill to work with and better the education of young adults.
I wish I were here to see how this will so positively benefit our campus community.
I support this initiative. As we implement our strategic goal of increased diversity, we need to learn how to deal with an increasingly diverse campus.
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This is a long time in the making and it honestly should have been enforced a long time ago. This should also be branched to fraternity houses and sports teams. If they have to attend forums on sexual assault, then should certainly be made to attend this by their chapters and coaches.