In Solidarity with your iSchool Peers

I had the worst breakdown of my life as a student at the faculty of information in 2019. The way the department and most of the faculty (not all, but many) handle equity and accessibility issues is really bad and I definitely believe that it's even worse for BIPOC students, faculty, and staff. Thank you to the petition organizers.

I was coming to terms with my disability, mental health disorder, and queerness during my time as an MMSt student. There was next to no space, representation, support or inclusion for myself and other marginalized folx in my program. Like others, I could never articulate the depth of this struggle and left the faculty drained. Nobody should have to labour so hard in order to be seen and treated as an equal, whole person. MPOC is doing lifesaving work for the students of today and tomorrow. Thank you from the depths of who I am.

I fully support this petition.

We need this!

I am so happy this petition was created. It was awkward being one of the only BIPOC students in every class. At least one of the instructors I had made throw-away racist comments in their lectures while repeatedly saying that it was up to us new professionals to make museums less colonial. I didn't feel safe enough to say something in class so I wrote it in my course review but nothing seemed to come of it.

While I don't believe that anything happens overnight, one would think that something would happen after the years that have had focus on this issue. Sadly, little. To speak to Erin Beaubien's comments, unfortunately there are many, MANY uncomfortable conversations still to be had before this ship begins to turn, many more after that to keep the progress happening and still many more to ensure that we keep it from coming back. Keep up the good fight!!

thank you

The MMsT Program was definitely lacking diversity in my years and didn't seem to be making much efforts to be inclusive of the very groups they wanted to reconcile with and represent within the galleries. Trying to discuss how to get BIPOC communities more involved in museums in a majority (sometimes all) white class (and all-white professors) felt very uncomfortable. (MMsT 2018)

MMSt grad 2019

I was one of the only black students in the iSchool, and one of only two in my museum studies program. I felt underrepresented and unsupported by the faculty in so many ways. I hope the university is willing to put in the time and resources necessary to make future black students feel more welcome and respected.

I was extremely disappointed in the iSchool's lack of resources for BIPOC students, and especially let down by the incredibly Eurocentric curriculum during my time in the MMSt program (2019). Thank you for putting this petition together as there is A LOT of work to be done in how the program educates and supports its students.

MMSt 2015

MMSt 2015

MMSt 2018

I am glad to hear that further steps are being taken to support BIPOC in the iSchool. I hope that it encourages greater diversity in the field.

Absolutely ridiculous that there aren’t already permanent scholarships available specifically for BIPOC students, ESPECIALLY in MMSt. No museum studies scholarships should be awarded to white students considering the origins of the discipline and historical / contemporary makeup of the field.

2017 grad (MMSt)

Implementing these calls for change is the responsibility of the Faculty of Information, not an option. Inclusion and anti-racism improves the life of marginalized students and makes the Faculty a better place for every member of it.

thank you for taking action

I am a current iSchool student and I fully support the requests outlined in this petition. Thank you to all of the groups involved with putting this together. As your colleague - a white male one - I hear this and will not forget these demands through this year ahead.