Last summer I began my fourth academic year as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Oregon State University, and I continue to be thankful to serve you during a time when we have had to confront two incredible challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Both have exacerbated gaps in equity and yet created opportunities for us to accelerate our efforts to become a university that reflects our mission and vision.
For many, the experiences of isolation from loved ones and community have been challenging, especially given that these communities have served as a lifeline of support and sense of belonging. I know what it has been like to struggle with that isolation, and I am so grateful for the many creative ways our communities have come together during this unprecedented time. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, and I thank you.
Each edition of Taking Action introduces you to the efforts of many people working across the university.
Highlights include:
- Our students, faculty and staff have directed university leadership to take action on multiple initiatives. The response to the call to action from several communities resulted in the Moving Forward Together Initiative. The initiative will help us realize our commitment to ending systemic racism within Oregon State University. The President and Provost’s Leadership Council on Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice is working on the implementation and completion of action items that are outlined on the Moving Forward Together website.
- I am very grateful to all who have contributed to supporting university-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. A special thank you to our partners at the OSU Foundation who have a laser-like focus on this area of philanthropy. Your efforts have generated the positive momentum needed to launch this campaign.
- Oregon State’s Diversity Strategic Plan continues to move ahead. We are especially focused on efforts to increase the number of faculty and staff who can contribute to mentoring and supporting underrepresented students and contribute to DEI scholarship.
- Community engagement during these times can be challenging. However, we have increased our support and work with Partners in Diversity, an organization committed to attracting, retaining and developing diversity influencers and professionals of color in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This year, Oregon State hosted and contributed to the Say Hey! event to welcome those new to Oregon, and we supported the most recent Breakfast of Champions event. A special thank you to Allison Davis-White Eyes for advancing our work with Partners in Diversity.
- This year also saw the launch of the President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff Affairs. Under the leadership of Terrance Harris and Tenisha Tevis, the commission is working to advocate for the recruitment and retention of Black faculty and staff at Oregon State. To learn more about the commission and to become a member, please visit the website.
Finally, I invite you to learn about the many actions and initiatives reported in this edition of Taking Action. These actions represent the hard work and commitment of many faculty, staff and students across our community. These efforts move us closer to achieving our university-wide Inclusive Excellence strategic goals. To learn more about our progress and for a list of upcoming events, please visit diversity.oregonstate.edu.
I look forward to a time when we can sit across the table from each other, laugh and connect in the ways that celebrate our common humanity. Until then …
Charlene Alexander, Ph.D.
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer