The Faculty Senate Steering Committee

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Position Statement

So many important events happened at the end of spring semester, 2020, following Temple University's pivot to online teaching and remote learning, and in response to the world-wide pandemic and COVID-19.

The Faculty Senate was unavailable during summer recess during and immediately following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, the national protests to that murder in cities across the country, and subsequently, the senseless murder of protestors. The Faculty Senate Steering Committee (FSSC) had to wait until the beginning of this new academic year to begin these difficult conversations, but in light of the recent executive order from President Donald Trump banning the teaching, training and discussion of race and anti-racism in America, we would be remiss not to take this opportunity to say unequivocally that institutions of higher learning have to be bold and brave; that as faculty, we believe that knowledge and education supersede ignorance; and that the academy, like our world, is stronger when it is diverse, equitable and inclusive. The Faculty Senate Steering Committee will continue to advocate for and support teaching, training and advancement in diversity education towards continued progress at Temple University. Let it be known that we, the elected members of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee, strongly believe that BLACK LIVES MATTER!