Inclusivity for all

Belonging and Equity

Taking Action Together

Gallaudet is taking action to eradicate racism through system transformation and personal growth to ensure Gallaudet is a place where all people feel safe and valued. Our work is evolving as we accelerate our efforts to combat racism and sustain our work for racial justice and equity.

Equity & Anti-Racism Statement

Racism has no place at Gallaudet University. Racism dehumanizes our BIPOC community members with audism and other-isms.

Gallaudet University recognizes that it is not enough to simply say racism is unacceptable from our community members or on our campus. Therefore, we are taking measurable steps to be anti-racist––actively advocating for racial equity and taking a firm stand against racial inequity.

Gallaudet University recognizes that community members are on a continuum of self-awareness, knowledge, and skills related to racial identity development, emotional intelligence, and the historical and societal implications of race and racism. We also recognize that racial bias can be unconscious or unintentional but still causes harm that needs repair.

Therefore, all members of our community are expected to act mindfully and intentionally, honoring the humanity of all, treating them with dignity and respect.

Gallaudet University continually develops and implements strategies that confront, challenge, and dismantle systemic racism within all departments, divisions, schools, and units.

Gallaudet University commits significant resources to anti-racism education, race-based research, and reform.

Gallaudet University students, faculty, staff, and board of trustees are obligated to report any actual or alleged instances of racism (2.28 Anti-Discrimination Policy).

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Video Transcript

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[Video presented in ASL and transcribed to English]

ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT

Racism has no place at Gallaudet University. Racism dehumanizes racially and ethnically diverse community members. Racism especially denies racially and ethnically diverse community members full access to their humanity. Racism intersects with audism and other -isms. Thus, racism contradicts and is incompatible with Gallaudet University’s mission and values.

Gallaudet University recognizes that it is not enough to simply say racism is not acceptable on campus or by University community members; therefore, the University takes measurable steps to be anti-racist––actively advocating for racial equity and taking a firm stand against racial inequity.

Gallaudet University recognizes that community members are situated on a continuum of self-awareness, knowledge, and skills related to racial identity development, emotional intelligence, and the historical and societal implications of race and racism. We also recognize that racial bias can be unconscious or unintentional but can still have an impact of harm that needs repair. All members of our community are expected to act mindfully and intentionally, honoring the humanity of all, treating them with dignity and respect.

Gallaudet University continually develops and implements strategies that confront, challenge and dismantle systemic racism within all departments, divisions, schools, units and, eventually, broader society.

Gallaudet University commits significant resources to anti-racism education, race-based research, and reform.

Gallaudet University students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees members are obligated to report any real or alleged instances of racism (Administration and Operations Manual, Section 2.28, Anti-Discrimination Policy).

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY’S COMMITMENT

Gallaudet University is committed to intimately and consistently engaging in anti-racism education and dialogue and developing anti-racism programming that centers on the needs of racially and ethnically diverse groups. As such, Gallaudet University commits to:

Promoting racial equity, belonging, cultural awareness, and cross-cultural competence through University policies, media, resources, recruitment processes, onboarding and orientation activities, training programs, and support services
Providing education and training that more clearly defines appropriate conduct for faculty, staff and students relative to racial equity
Investigating the effects of University policies, procedures, and actions on communities of color, while recognizing the complexities of intersectional identities
Designing courses and curricula and utilizing teaching methodologies that are racially, ethnically, and culturally responsive
Encouraging and supporting research and service learning activities that examine and call attention to racial inequity
Seeking to better understand and improve the experiences of students, faculty, and staff of color by centering and providing platforms for racially and ethnically diverse individuals and groups and allocating resources towards initiatives that actually enhance the lives of racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse groups
Using restorative practices to create a culture of accountability, build a healthy community, and foster positive relationships among the departments, divisions, schools, units, organizations, and broader society.

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Belonging and Equity Imperatives

We are grateful for all the students, faculty, advocates, and leaders who have come forward to express their very personal stories of pain and suffering and share their concerns and suggestions.

Our six imperatives guide our everyday choices. They set our sights on the future to make a better world and a better Gallaudet.

We will continue to listen to and engage black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community members, including the student, staff, and faculty organizations at Gallaudet and outside of Gallaudet.

Social Justice and Anti-Racism Leadership Development and Capacity Building

Gallaudet and EDI will collaborate with four consultant groups to support various aspects of anti-racism work, including anti-racism professional development on multiple platforms.
EDI developed a 3-5 year comprehensive strategic action plan that includes and prioritizes anti-racism planning and Multicultural Organization Development.
EDI continues to build capacity through talent assessment and skill development
The Social Justice and Racial Equity Collaborative is forming, and nominations are under review.
The University’s executive team has created an Anti-Racism Policy and Statement.

Improving Campus Experience and Climate

Various University divisions and units are collaborating to transform the Department of Public Safety–ensuring equitable practices.
The Office of Human Resources’ HR Transformation progress report, led by Ernest and Young, will be released in May 2021.
The Division of Student Affairs has developed a centralized bias incident reporting system now available on the Student Affairs website.
The University continues to share the stories of diverse students and staff on various platforms, nationally, locally and institution-wide.
The Office of Development continues fundraising for the Center for Black Deaf Studies and Kendall Division II.

Improving Student Experience and Sense of Belonging

Various campus divisions continue to host workshops and information sessions that provide information and resources for students of color.
The Greek Life Task Force launched in April 2021.
EDI continues to build capacity through talent assessment and skill development
Various campus divisions continue to plan, host, and support events, programs, and activities for Students of Color organizations.
We’ve opened the Students of Color Resource Center in 2021.

Creating Welcoming and Stronger Multicultural Learning Experiences & Research and Discovery Opportunities for Faculty and Students

The Office of Academic Affairs established a mentoring program between executive leadership, administrators, and faculty/staff.
The Office of Student Affairs continues to provide anti-racism training to students on multiple platforms and reporting hate/bias mechanisms.
Anti-racism, racial identity development, and diversity content are built into upcoming General Education course curricula.

Accountability and Investing in Our Anti-Racism Commitment

The University continues developing an Anti-Racism Plan Report Card that measures AR progress and aligns with University progress monitoring protocols.
The University collaborates with four consulting firms, two of which are historically underutilized BIPOC-owned businesses, for various initiatives related to anti-racism planning.
The Office of Research and Engagement continues to raise funds for research fellowships related to EDI initiatives and anti-racism planning.

Community Relations, Communications, and Admissions

The Office of University Communications (UC) has hired a Community Relations Manager to manage EDI communications and social media.
UC will continue to release new and updated content to the University’s website to reflect the diversity of its student body.
Various campus divisions facilitate numerous EDI and anti-racism educational sessions and dialogues for students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, and board members.

Complex. Diverse. Strong.

Students

Employees

Deaf / Hard of hearing

Diversity

new hires

Promotions / Reclassifications

You Belong. Let Your Voice Be Heard.

The Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion brings together Gallaudet students with a goal to understand, encourage, and support the inclusion and educational success of students who belong to underrepresented communities.

Belonging and Equity

Taking Action Together