Accepted recommendations
Learn more about approved recommendations to date from the Task Force, now under implementation at UGA.
UPDATED: April 19, 2021
The University of Georgia has announced plans to create a diversity fellowship position to expand access to diversity and inclusion training on campus through the creation of a diversity educator position. The new role, funded by private dollars, will focus on building new programs to meet the growing demand on campus for participation in the institution’s popular Diversity and Inclusion Certificate program. The position was recommended by the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community.
With support from the University of Georgia’s Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity and Community, the School of Law and School of Public and International Affairs have established the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Lecture on Race, Law and Policy in honor of the late jurist, who was a trailblazer for the Black community in Georgia. The inaugural lecture is scheduled to take place Spring 2021 as a part of the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation at the University of Georgia.
In partnership with UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, UGA will pilot Reflective Structured Dialogue training for members of the UGA community. Training will address topics including race, ethnicity, and community. Reflective Structured Dialogue builds the capacity of communities and organizations to engage, live, and thrive despite their differences. By enabling people to have new conversations about the issues that matter deeply to them and remain in relationship, the approach creates a foundation for trust, resiliency and collaborative action. Following a successful pilot, leaders will consider opportunities to expand Reflective Structured Dialogue training to additional campus stakeholders.
At the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, President Jere W. Morehead has approved the installation of campus markers to recognize the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Located on the West Lawn of the Tate Student Center, this project will bring significant recognition to these important organizations.
Established in 1930, the primary purpose of the NPHC remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities. Throughout their history, these organizations have helped to build community among Black students at colleges and universities across the country.
The University of Georgia will create a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Student Advisory Board that will provide ongoing opportunities for students and University leaders to dialogue and work together to create a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all UGA students.
Convened by UGA Student Affairs, the advisory board will bring together student representatives from groups and organizations across the University—undergraduate, graduate, and professional. Together the Board will respond to updates, ideas, concerns, challenges, and opportunities in order to increase belonging, foster shared community, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at UGA.
As recommended by the UGA Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, the University of Georgia will dedicate $150,000 to pursue a public art project or projects that illustrates the vital importance of the University’s core values of diversity and inclusion. It is the intent of this project to inspire additional private support, future projects, and a larger culture of public art on campus that more fully reflects the great diversity, histories, accomplishments, and pursuits of all members of the UGA and local communities.
The University of Georgia will launch a new annual community read project, where students, faculty, staff, and community members will be invited to read a common book or text, and host or take part in classroom discussions and campus events.
The institution will introduce and provide numerous free copies of the chosen book or text, selected specifically to evidence critical questions related to race, ethnicity, and community and spark exchanges of diverse ideas. The community read aims to amplify the power of the written word to stimulate discussion across disciplines, introduce our community to a diversity of viewpoints, and foster engagement and common understanding.
As recommended by the UGA Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, the University of Georgia will launch a new speaker series to be held annually each spring.
The new series will address intersectional issues facing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across race, class, sex, and gender. The series will provide collective opportunities for invited speakers, including UGA faculty, staff, and community members, to share difficult and empowering experiences in their personal journeys and professional careers with the aim to inspire conversation and foster community.
The University of Georgia is relaunching a program to recruit more Latino and Hispanic students to enroll at the university.
“Padres e Hijos” (or Parents and Students) is an English/Spanish bilingual student recruitment program that brings a few dozen underrepresented but academically competitive high school seniors and their families to visit campus. Padres e Hijos, or Padres for short, aims to address the students’ interests in academic and campus life and provide practical information to help families support students who want to enroll.
With funding from President Morehead’s Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, the Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander Inclusive Community Award will be given to a faculty member who has contributed extensive efforts to promoting diversity, equity and inclusiveness at UGA. The award, to be housed in the Office of Institutional Diversity, will be presented annually at the Embracing Diversity Celebration.
With support from the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, the UGA Alumni Association will create a new graduate assistant position focused on the engagement of underrepresented alumni and alumni groups. The assistant will research and implement new programs and initiatives that build community, increase outreach and engagement, and foster new connections.
At the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, UGA has provided support to endow the Greek Life Diversity Award fund so that awards can be given in perpetuity. The awards recognize students who work to advance an inclusive living and learning environment within Greek organizations at UGA.
With support from the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, the Disability Resource Center will work to expand awareness and advocacy for disability issues in this 30th year since the passage of the Americans with Disability Act. This will create a broad platform for discussion of issues related to disability, empower students with disabilities, champion access on campus and in the community, and bring national speakers to campus to address disability as an aspect of diversity.
Diversity Training Module
At the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, campus leaders have begun exploring ways to implement a Diversity Training Module that would enhance understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This training would be offered to students and establish a baseline framework for living and learning in a diverse community.
Funding recommended by the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community will provide programming support for the LGBT Resource Center. As the center approaches its 15th Anniversary, these funds will enhance the offerings of the center and empower students to increase their resiliency.
A partnership with a local non-profit, Chess and Community, will promote STEM education in middle and high school students in the Athens community. Through the Pawn Accelerator program students will gain skills in robotics, 3D printing, and design thinking.