As the spring 2021 semester comes to a close, several ETSU faculty members reflected on summer and fall plans for equity and inclusion on campus.
Keith Johnson, vice president for Equity and Inclusion, spoke about several ongoing projects in the ETSU Office of Equity and Inclusion, one of which is the climate survey.
“That’s going to give us an opportunity to address some of the kinds of issues that typically happen when people are displeased in an environment,” said Johnson. “We might find also in the climate survey that there are some areas on campus who are doing a pretty good job in terms of social justice.”
Johnson also spoke of the second part of the Committee for 125 Chapter II initiative and its equity and inclusion component in terms of staffing, budget and strategic goals and plans at ETSU.
There will be an Equity and Inclusion conference in September, which includes a student track.
“A lot of our sessions will deal with social justice,” said Johnson.
Daryl Carter, director of Black American Studies, spoke about equity and inclusion efforts in the ETSU College of Arts and Sciences.
“We are going to take a very broad view of equity and inclusion issues,” said Carter. “We want everyone to have a deep sense of belonging, our faculty, our staff, our administrators and students here in the department.”
Carter also spoke of the development of ways to measure success in terms of equity and inclusion.
“There’s a number of things that we’re working on going forward,” said Carter.
Carshonda Martin, director of the Multicultural Center, reflected on the purpose of fighting for social justice.
“I believe that it’s going to take the overall campus to be involved in social justice in a way that will make a systematic change,” said Martin. “Fighting for social justice is something that is needed on our campus.”
Martin, Carter and Johnson all agreed that social justice requires a continued mindful effort towards improvement.
“It really affects everyone,” said Martin. “The efforts of social justice and the movements that have happened for decades are making sure that everyone has a voice and is treated fairly.”
