Photo courtesy of Austin McCoy

Several weeks ago, the Residential College--SiD's administrative home--issued a powerful statement against racism in light of various recent campus incidents. As a program, we would like to thank the students, faculty, and staff who spent time crafting this message and express our full support in solidarity against racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and all other -phobias and -isms that occur on our campus and in the world at large. The statement is copied in full below, and can also be found on the home page of the RC's website.  

 

The Residential College stands in solidarity with all people who oppose the recent hate messages circulated at the University of Michigan.  

As a community and an academic institution, we strive to foster an environment that is diverse on various spectrums, including race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, nationality, religion, and (dis)ability status. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or abuse on the basis of any social identity, as we are dedicated to the vision that all students, staff members, and faculty members feel welcome and included in the Residential College, and have an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

Although we have always promoted diversity and inclusion in the Residential College, we also acknowledge that there is much progress to be made. We are currently taking steps to enhance our curriculum to better reflect the diversity of our community, as well as respond to the present social climate on a broader scale than the classroom. We acknowledge that every member of our community should be respected and recognized as both an individual with distinct experiences, and as a member of social groups that may have benefited from or been disadvantaged by historical or modern social inequalities.

We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and with all members of our community who have ever felt targeted or discriminated against due to social inequalities. We will be continuing to hold open forums and spaces for discussion regarding campus climate, and keeping our community informed and aware of progress that is taking place and needs to take place.

We firmly believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to educational excellence and the advancement of society.

In Solidarity and Strength,

The Residential College

Please feel free to use and share the following resources:

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the University of Michigan

Intergroup Relations

Counseling and Psychological Services

Wolverine Wellness