[Geoldept] Strike4BlackLives: Geology Discussion Tomorrow

[Melissa Rice]

Dear Geology students, faculty and staff,


As part of #ShutDownSTEM<https://www.shutdownstem.com/> and the #Strike4BlackLives<https://www.particlesforjustice.org/strike-details> tomorrow, I will be hosting a Community Office Hour in my capacity as the Faculty Community Ambassador, which I invite all Geology students, staff, and faculty to join:


Wednesday 6/10 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm: A community conversation facilitated by Geology Community Ambassador Melissa Rice

  *   Zoom, Meeting ID: 937 1566 1531

  *   Join by web using this link<https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/j/93715661531?pwd=NVROSUludk1POHVCWVdpQy9KSWZKdz09> (password: Geology)

  *   Join by phone here: +1 253 215 8782 (password: 774891)


My intent is to create a space for discussion and start the process of identifying concrete actions that our department can take to help dismantle anti-Black racism. Ideally, our conversation can lead to follow-up action during and beyond Academics for Black Survival and Wellness Week<https://www.academics4blacklives.com/>, which lasts from Juneteenth<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth> (June 19th) through June 25th.


I will also share info about the actions that are currently underway by faculty, the college, and WWU, which I realize have not all been communicated yet to students:

  *   The Community Ambassadors (CAs) are working with CSE to establish a scholarship fund to support Black students in STEM.

  *   WWU has established a Western Stands for Racial Equity Fund<https://www.vikingfunder.com/project/21314> to support Black students.

  *   The CAs are setting up a meeting with the University Chief of Police this summer to discuss campus policing protocols and to voice community concerns.

  *   The CAs are working with CSE to create compensated professional development for faculty. (We are always teaching in the context of a racist police state, even when there are not national protests. How do STEM faculty address this reality in the content of our courses?)

  *   Geology faculty have been signing and spreading this petition<https://www.change.org/p/geoscientists-call-for-a-robust-anti-racism-plan-for-the-geosciences> calling for geoscience societies and organizations to take concrete action against racism.


The Physics & Astronomy Department is also hosting a discussion tomorrow from 2:00-3:30pm, which students, faculty and staff are invited to join as well (see details below).


Why should we take time for these discussions tomorrow? From the #ShutDownSTEM<https://www.shutdownstem.com/about> website:


For Black academics and STEM professionals, #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM is a time to prioritize their needs— whether that is to rest, reflect, or to act— without incurring additional cumulative disadvantage.


Those of us who are not Black, particularly those of us who are white, play a key role in perpetuating systemic racism. Direct actions are needed to stop this injustice. Unless you engage directly with eliminating racism, you are perpetuating it. This moment calls for profound and meaningful change.


#ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM is the time for white and non-Black People of Color (NBPOC) to not only educate themselves, but to define a detailed plan of action to carry forward.


The #ShutDownSTEM site also has many resources<https://www.shutdownstem.com/racism-in-academia> that can be a starting point as we work to better educate ourselves about anti-Black racism in the geosciences, STEM and academia more broadly.


In solidarity,


Melissa Rice

Geology Faculty Community Ambassador


---

Details for tomorrow’s discussion in Physics & Astronomy:



Wednesday 6/10 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm. Student, staff, and faculty conversation facilitated by Physics & Astronomy Community Ambassador Dimitri Dounas-Frazer<https://cse.wwu.edu/physics-astronomy/dounasd>

  *   Zoom, Meeting ID 982 5286 9988

  *   Join by web using this link<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwu-edu.zoom.us%2Fj%2F98252869988%3Fpwd%3DSGpDSThYVG9VWFk3RzZkZ2RueE9pUT09&data=02%7C01%7Cricem5%40wwu.edu%7C806dbf7250bb4244c22508d80cc58300%7Cdc46140ce26f43efb0ae00f257f478ff%7C0%7C0%7C637273389724302205&sdata=bWwI1eAi5d9YUey76V1%2FCJ%2B2Q8wadzYmQEI3LYn5pyg%3D&reserved=0> (password: 1cArXa)

  *   Join by phone using this link<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwu-edu.zoom.us%2Fu%2FadgzM7tYad&data=02%7C01%7Cricem5%40wwu.edu%7C806dbf7250bb4244c22508d80cc58300%7Cdc46140ce26f43efb0ae00f257f478ff%7C0%7C0%7C637273389724312198&sdata=i7aZaBYU8GvDrhFyZmanQD1nZTOgcb4gCbI39Rpa2jI%3D&reserved=0> (password: 824990)

  *   Students studying physics, astronomy, geophysics, or planetary science or who otherwise feel affinity with physics or astronomy are welcome to attend.

  *





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