Campus Climate

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• Message from Chancellor Black
• Organizational Structure
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  • Campus Change Team
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• Model for Change
• Tool to Achieve Change
• Strategies and Actions
• Definitions of Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice
• Climate Surveys
• Campus Events and Programs
• Related UMD Offices and Programs
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• State and National Resources
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• How to Report Incidents that Undermine and Degrade the Campus Climate
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• Office of the Chancellor Home

Message from Chancellor Black

To Members of the UMD Campus Community,

It is with pleasure I announce that UMD has joined with 14 Duluth community organizations as a partner in the UnFair Campaign, a major anti-racism effort focusing on the role white people can play in addressing racial disparities. The UnFair Campaign will raise awareness about white privilege in our community, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that result in fundamental, systemic change towards racial justice. Developed in Duluth, the UnFair Campaign launched on January 24, 2011 at a news conference where I joined Mayor Don Ness and representatives of other campaign partner organizations.

With the tagline “It's hard to see racism when you're white,” the campaign will heighten attention to white privilege and encourage dialogue through posters, billboards, the campaign’s website, public workshops, guest speakers, community reads, films, and facilitated discussions. For more information about the initiative and for a list of community events, please visit: http://unfaircampaign.org.

UMD is sponsoring activities on campus. Tim Wise, author of Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and other books, was on our campus on February 16 for an evening lecture. He also met with students, faculty and staff through a series of group conversations.

Another opportunity for you to participate is to attend the spring semester film series that launched on January 30, with Mirrors of Privilege, Making Whiteness Visible, and extends through April 30. For a complete listing and for other events both on and off campus, please visit: unfaircampaign.org.

The UnFair Campaign’s goals are fundamental to the change we are working to achieve at UMD. Our Strategic Plan provides the framework for realizing a learning and working environment that reflects the values of equity, diversity, and social justice.

The first step is recognizing that racism and inequality exist. It is hard to see racism when one is white because it is difficult to understand the inequality around you when you are not subjected to daily acts of discrimination and intolerance. As the problems are ingrained in the fabric of our society, advancing equity, diversity, and social justice requires persistence and long-term work. I am committed to stay the course and work with you until we reach our goals. I look forward to participating with you in the UnFair Campaign’s activities, both on and off campus.

Your ideas, comments and feedback are welcome here: uchange@d.umn.edu

Chancellor Lendley "Lynn" Black