On Monday, December 14th, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) President James Smith announced the President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion's inaugural members.
#EMU President James Smith announces inaugural members of President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. #TRUEMU https://t.co/we9bdoAU0Y
— EMU News (@emunews) December 14, 2016
The new 14-member commission is tasked with recommending and undertaking systematic campus climate studies, including one on the campus racial climate. The group will also recommend how to make the campus more inclusive, according to the press release.
More from the release:
"President Smith added, 'Recent acts of hateful vandalism on our campus strengthen our resolve to ensure that Eastern is a welcoming and inclusive campus for all people regardless of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.'”
Professor of Africology and African American Studies Ronald Woods will serve as the committee's chair, or committee leader. Associate Professor of Leadership and Counseling Devika Dibya Choudhuri will serve as the committee's vice chair.
The commission, which Smith announced November 1st, was created in part to "ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, employees and visitors, regardless of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability."
This initiative comes following two racially-charged incidents. In September and October, EMU discovered racist graffiti around campus, spurring various protests.
For more coverage, make sure to check out WEMU's interview with Woods.
— 89.1 WEMU (@WEMU891) December 14, 2016
