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Clark University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
3 Maywood Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01610
Phone
(508) 793-7431
Email address
admissions@clarku.edu
School Information
"Clark was founded in 1887 as the first all-graduate institution in the country. Today, Clark promotes a rigorous liberal arts curriculum within the context of a research experience that addresses challenges on a global scale" (Source: https://www.clarku.edu/). The total enrollment is 3400 and the student to faculty ratio is 9 to 1. This university offers 30 degrees.
General Information
Clark University has responded to the events surrounding George Floyd by enacting numerous anti-racist initiatives. A few years ago, the school received a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for developing "inclusive pedagogy." More recently, the university has plans to implement anti-racist teaching for Fall 2021. Additionally, the university is looking to disarm campus police and engage in police reform. All first year students are required to take anti-racist training. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • Starting summer 2020, all first year students, athletes, and student leaders are required to undergo anti-racism training.
  • Peer learning assistant training included diversity and inclusion training as of October 2020.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • Clark University states that "every undergraduate is required to complete a course with a Diversity and Inclusion attribute."
  • One of Clark University's DEI initiatives is to implement anti-racist teaching as of June 2021.
  • The university is working to "hold events and workshops around decolonizing the curriculum and anti-racist pedagogy."
Disciplinary Measures
  • Clark University has ensured that "coaches and student-athletes have developed team-specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts and calls to action."
Program and Research Funding
  • The president allocated $1 million toward DEI initiatives in the school.
  • In 2017, Clark University established the D'Army Bailey Diversity Fund "to provide financial support for campus initiatives and academic endeavors that advance and help sustain an inclusive, engaged campus."
  • The university offers a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program which "supports cultural competency and awareness-building for staff, faculty, and graduate students."
  • On June 13, 2016, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation gave Clark University a $620,000 grant for "introducing 'Problems of Practice' courses into all humanities majors" in order to "support the introduction of inclusive and innovative pedagogy through courses focused on problems of practice."
Re-Imagining Policing
  • As of July 2021, Clark University is looking to "reduce the presence of armed officers in public and residential spaces on campus" and disarm campus police.
Resources
  • The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning created an "Anti-Racist Pedagogy Repository" for faculty members.
Symbolic Actions
  • As of September 2020, "the Faculty Steering Committee will prioritize issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion."
  • On March 18, 2019, Clark University brought in an expert on critical race theory for a guest lecture. Tara J. Yosso from UC Riverside was hosted due to the Gurel Endowment gift which funds the guest lecture.
  • Clark University has released many statements discussing the events surrounding George Floyd, including the statement made on May 30, 2020. The president and president elect stated, "We are horrified by the cruel and unjust killing of George Floyd, by the grave other recent incidents of violence against black men that it mirrors, and by the deeper issues in our society that it reflects." The leaders added that, "Our community must stand united against racism and injustice. We must not be silent."
Last updated July 26th, 2022
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