Dean's Message - September 14, 2020
Dear GSBS Community,
Welcome back to classes in these unsettled times. As we continue to learn each day of new deadly injustices committed against members of our Black communities - including Daniel Prude and Jacob Blake, as well as so many others - we are angered, frustrated and stressed. These tragedies strengthen our commitment to becoming an anti-racist school and demonstrate that now is the time for action.
As you may know, there are efforts at all levels including departments and programs, GSBS, TUSM and the University. All understand the importance of this mission. The University has established five workstreams: institutional audit and targeted action; campus policing; public art; compositional diversity; and equity and inclusion. At TUSM and GSBS we will coordinate with the Tufts-wide workstreams. Within GSBS, we have established an anti-racism working group and aligned its tasks with the university’s workstreams. This group is working on defining what being an anti-racist institution looks like, developing and implementing action items toward realizing our pledge, holding GSBS accountable and communicating our progress to our community.
One early action item is this year, all GSBS BIPOC students will be funded to attend SACNAS and/or ABRCMS through the recently initiated GSBS DEI fund. Fortunately, given the virtual nature of the meetings this year, many of our members will be able to take advantage of the great workshops and networking events at these national meetings. There will be many more action items as the Anti-Racist Working Group defines its priorities. As we embark on this long journey toward our aspirations, I believe it is important to not forget to find joy where you can. I was pleased to see that the City of Boston declared September 12th to be Black Joy Day. I hope some of you took advantage of these performances and events to celebrate Black culture with joy. Thank you all in helping us become a more diverse, welcoming, just, inclusive and equitable institution.
Best,
Dan Jay