A note from the School of Dramatic Arts’ Vice Dean and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

July 2020
The School of Dramatic Arts acknowledges that there is much work to be done to dismantle the system and culture of inequity that has prevailed for many years at the School, and to assure a safe environment of authentic belonging and community for our BIPOC students, faculty and staff. The following overarching action items and goals for the School have been established as we endeavor to stand for the principles of inclusivity and equity in our classrooms, on our stages and in the university at large. These actions were developed following the CommUNITY Forum focus groups, but this is a framework. We will continually amend and further define these actions with input from the community at our SDA Inclusion and Equity Committee meetings, which all members of the SDA Community are invited to attend. Additionally, we are developing specific action steps for each area and program in the School, as well as metrics of assessment.

Articulating these actions, and our commitment to them, is just the beginning. We must, as a community, participate in continuous open dialogue, be open to change — in ourselves as well as the institution — and exhibit perseverance. We have relied on many of our faculty, staff, students and alumni to shoulder this important work on their own for far too long, and we are long overdue to make crucial changes to the School. There is much to be done. Systemic change will not happen overnight, but through committed action, continued communication, as well as the support and voices of our community, we will see change.

Sincerely,

Lori Ray Fisher Vice Dean

Anita Dashiell-Sparks Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion