Drexel University

The university also said, "Two additional roundtable discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Drexel have also been created to expand on that topic, with the first, 'Towards an Anti-Racist University,' held on June 23."

The university's Anti-Racism Task Force recommended that the university should be, "Mandating anti-racism training for all members of the University community."

The university's Anti-Racism Task Force recommended that the university identify "solutions to improve the student experience for marginalized, particularly Black and brown, communities at Drexel by implementing rigorous anti-bias and anti-racist training in undergraduate curriculum and corporate training for co-op placements."

The Anti-Racism Task Force recommended that the university establish "a committee that would provide a roadmap for creating, implementing and reviewing anti-racist curricular standards across departments so they can perform anti-racism audits" and examine the "core curriculum to begin addressing need for anti-racist pedagogies across departments and eliminate inequalities in academic success." The task force also recommended that the university add "DEI-related requirements to accompany math, science and English general education requirements" and "a Drexel Student Core Competency focused on diversity, equity and inclusion that includes anti-racism and cultural competence."

The university announced that "faculty and professional staff are required this year to complete a new Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) enterprise learning module to explore and identify ways to advance the University’s Culture of Inclusion and Belonging."

For faculty "engaged in community-facing research," the task force recommend that the university develop "protocols and training...with clear anti-racist principles and values."

22 Faculty Projects received (in total) $100,006 in research grant funding for “Racial Equity Projects.”

Launched the Racial Equity Project research grant for the “eradication of racism in this country.”

The Rapid Response Research & Development Fund funded 22 projects focusing on a wide variety of topics related to racism. Six will be used to internally audit racism at Drexel.

The university has received a $9 million donation to establish a center studying racism and public health.

The university announced, "Drexel University will officially establish and name a new center on racism and health as The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements and Population Health Equity," which will be housed in the Dornsife School of Public Health. As part of this initiative, the university hired a center director.

The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity was established with an aim to "provide the platform and organizational infrastructure to advance collective anti-racism scholarship, training, and action."

The university will conduct a review of campus police budget and practices. Drexel will no longer donate to the Philadelphia Police Foundation.

Drexel's police review is now complete. The university said, "We have now moved from study and review to implementation."

Some additional steps the Anti-Racism Task Force will take include "creating a DEI Advisory Council at the University and sending out a University-wide climate survey."

The university held "six different roundtables that reflected the themes of the ARTF recommendations," such as "Fostering a Culture of Anti-Racism Through Learning and Education" and "Addressing Potential Biases in Recruitment."

The Office of Equality and Diversity held an event titled, "Ending Environmental Racism: Understanding Social Forces, Fighting Local Battles." The description reads, "What is environmental racism? How can scholarly and activist approaches help us take action to win the battle for equity and justice and keep toxic pollutants out of bodies and environments?"

The Office for Equality and Diversity held an event titled, "Covid-19 & Structural Racism: The Impact On People Of Color In Academic Medicine." The description reads, "In this session, we will examine the interplay between structural racism and the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on People of Color in academic medicine, including those in leadership positions." Among other things, participants will, "-Discuss the impact of racism, bias, & microaggressions on People of Color in academic medicine."

The Office for Equality and Diversity held an event titled, "Working Through Social Identities Towards Empathy And Inclusion." The description reads, "This workshop aims to explore the interplay between individuals' unique social identities and others as part of a team and any campus group. Activities will focus on personal/interpersonal education and self-awareness, and will explore topics on dimensions of identity, continuum of racial identity development, bias, microaggressions, etc. We will use scenarios and other activities to identify how these emerge in our interactions with each other. Participants will engage in activities that enhance empathy and inclusion."

The Counseling Center has a resource page titled, "Coping With Racial Trauma, Discrimination, And Biases." The website has "Anti-racism And Ally Resources," such as the 1619 podcast and "How White People can be Allies."

The university announced, "A formalized and centralized approach to policy across the University with a specific focus on DEI was approved by the President’s Cabinet and will be housed in the Office of Compliance, Privacy and Internal Audit. The recruitment of a policy administrator who will put a DEI lens on existing and new policies and procedures is in process. The policy administrator will support the formation of a Policy Council that will include students, faculty and professional staff and kick-off the newly approved policy review and comment process. A new policy management system will serve as the vehicle for this shift in the University’s approach to policies."

The university announced, "The Provost’s Office is currently reviewing applications for the new position of Vice Provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which will ensure a continuing focus on DEI work in regards to academics and faculty recruitment, retention and advancement." Additionally, the university also said, "Many colleges and schools have appointed associate deans for DEI and, along with administrative offices, have also formed DEI committees, which are now brought together by Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusive Culture Patience Ajoff-Foster, PhD. These DEI partner meetings ensure there is alignment between OED and the academic and administrative units."

The Anti-Racism Task Force recommended that the university facilitate "group sessions focused on mutual racial identity concerns that include students, faculty and professional staff to share in safe spaces," launch "a social media campaign that draws attention to racial trauma and destigmatizes stress and adversity across the University," and offer "supplier inclusion training and awareness to members of the University community to highlight business opportunities and partnerships with the local minority-owned business community."

The Anti-Racism Task Force recommended that the university hire "a Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion whose focus is on faculty diversity, inclusion and belonging."

Anti-Racism Task Force (and its 11 committees) have replaced Columbus Day with “Indigenous People’s Day.”

University's VP and Chief Diversity Officer committed to make Drexel an "antiracist organization" by 2030. University will focus on "recruiting and retaining more faculty, staff and students of color; demonstrating commitment to equity through University investments; and embedding antiracism in pedagogy and evaluations. "

During 2021 Convocation, one speaker said that now it was the time "to address those forms of oppression and advance health equity and anti-racism by partnering with a wide and diverse range of experts and execute anti-racism principles and scholarship both on and off campus."

Drexel will now observe Juneteenth as a University holiday.