Statement on Anti-racism and Diversity
2023 Update
Whereas, during its February 2023 meeting, the Board of Trustees participated in bias training, received and discussed a progress report on the goals set in its January 2021 statement on anti-racism and diversity as required annually and reaffirmed the January 2021 statement; and
Whereas the board also receives regular updates on the college BJEDI Plan (Belonging, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan) throughout the year;
Therefore, the board reaffirms its support of the college’s efforts to be an anti-racist, diverse and inclusive community.
Whereas, the board acknowledges the intersectionality of social justice work and fully understands that the road to creating an anti-racist and inclusive community is long and challenging, that there is tremendous work still to be done to ensure that no one is left out and that this work requires an ongoing commitment to listening, self-reflection and thoughtful action;
Therefore, the board condemns all forms of oppression, particularly recent attacks on LGBTQ+ rights; and
The board commits, both individually and collectively, to continue to make anti-racism and inclusion key priorities.
Whereas, the board further recognizes that a set of commitments to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion cannot begin without an honest assessment of an institution’s own history and present practices;
Therefore, the board fully supports the goals of the college’s “Acknowledging Our Past, Acting Now For a Transformed Future” project. This initiative, funded in part by the Mellon Foundation, will provide the foundation for further iterations of these commitments.
Adopted May 2023
Statement on Anti-racism and Diversity
The Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees recognizes the broad reach and effects of racism and injustice in all aspects of our lives and the disproportionate impact on our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty, staff and alumnae/i. We know that Agnes Scott College has made many strides in the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and in the transformative goal of eliminating structural barriers to equal treatment and opportunity on campuses and in our communities.
In 2020, this work was recognized when Agnes Scott College was selected by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) as one of 24 universities to host Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) campus centers across the United States in a national effort to eradicate racial hierarchies and eliminate social inequities.
We affirm the college’s mission and strides to create a humanistic, anti-racist and inclusive culture for BIPOC and other marginalized members of the campus community. We fully endorse and support the college’s commitment and efforts to continue cultivating a vibrant culture committed to anti-racism, justice, diversity and inclusive excellence for every stakeholder. We uphold the college’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
We further commit to make anti-racism one of the key priorities for the board’s and the college’s work and responsibilities for the coming year. Our pledge is to pursue a thoughtful plan of action in support of the college’s mission to further develop anti-racism strategies. As we reflect upon our body, we recognize the need to cultivate increased diversity in our membership and will do so. As such, the Board of Trustees will:
- Ensure that the candidate pipeline development, selection process, and orientation of new trustees are informed by anti-racist values, standards, and education.
- Ensure board work and decisions support the college’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion agenda.
- Commit to regular conversations, training, and learning about anti-racism actions.
- Report on our progress at the end of the year.
Adopted January 2021