OSU community members,
I write to invite you to join me on Wednesday, June 10, in a national daylong initiative to support Black students, faculty, staff and community members within Oregon State University and at U.S. colleges and universities.
Entitled #ShutDownSTEM, this effort importantly seeks to shine a light and help eradicate racism in American higher education and STEM programs.
As a university community completing spring term final examinations, thesis defenses, papers and projects, I encourage each of us to find time to participate in this movement. Each of us can pause to reflect on the injustice, violence and racism that has been seen across America; to reflect on — and listen to — the voices of anguish and protest that we have heard since the horrific May 25 killing of George Floyd by police in Minnesota; and to reflect on and commit to take action to provide real and lasting changes providing justice, safety and equality for the Black community throughout the university, in STEM and all OSU programs, in our communities and workplaces, and across the nation.
Together, let’s make Wednesday, June 10, about listening and altering the course of America. Such community opportunities have occurred the past two Sundays with peaceful protests in downtown Corvallis. And they occurred in a community gathering in front of the Memorial Union Monday night when hundreds of students, OSU employees and community members served as peaceful and diverse voices for real change.
Here are ways that you can help change higher education by engaging in #ShutDownSTEM:
- Visit the #ShutDownSTEM website for ideas to engage in demonstrations, and for suggested activities and reading materials regarding racism in higher education and American society.
- Create your own plan to help make a difference for the Black community and share your plan with others. In turn, ask others what plans they may have.
- Share your plans and thoughts in social media posts, letters to media editors and with university and elected officials.
- Share and retweet posts you see from OSU community members regarding #ShutDownSTEM.
- If you are a faculty member, consider how to incorporate justice, equality and efforts to end racism in your teaching for future terms.
- Support Black students, faculty and staff who continue to grieve, hurt, feel angry and are exhausted by what has transpired … and is still occurring across our nation.
Wednesday, June 10, is but one day and by itself is not enough. But by participating in initiatives such as #ShutDownSTEM, each of us can serve the future by helping to initiate lasting change.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ray
President