Clark University

In response to the June 29, 2023 SCOTUS decision, the school released a statement saying “[we] unequivocally reaffirm Clark University’s commitment to bringing more diversity into our student body and building a community where our students – faculty and staff, as well – feel they belong and are empowered to succeed. This is core to who we are as an institution, as is our determination to overcome centuries of systemic racism that has been a barrier to higher education for historically underrepresented students.”

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.

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."

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."

On November 4, 2022, the school launched the Equity in Action initiative. This initiative was meant to “foster an anti-racist community.” As part of the program, an all-day conference known as “Advancing Anti-Racism Plans of Action on Campus” was hosted, which “featured workshops, hands-on activities, and opportunities to build community around such topics as nurturing inclusive classrooms, supporting BIPOC students in the STEM areas, centering Latinx and BIPOC students in the classroom, supervising staff of color, promoting equitable outcomes for first-generation graduates of color, and celebrating the transformative powers of affinity spaces.”

The school is “[committing] new resources to the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies (CGRAS), enabling it to more fully develop and enhance curricular offerings, offer professional development in conjunction with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), and support research related to anti-racist and decolonized academic practices.”

In 2022, a total of $320,000 in funding was given to various projects under the Academic Innovation Fund, which includes a program known as ALTAS. ALTAS involves “social justice projects undertaken by middle schoolers” spanning topics like microaggressions.

On November 4, 2022, $320,000 in funding was given to projects, including the “Justice to Jobs (J2J) program, which supports undergraduate students involved in DEI work and leadership experiences on campus.”

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.

The school has committed to “[enhancing] anti-bias and de-escalation training for campus police officers and employees.”

Clark University has ensured that "coaches and student-athletes have developed team-specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts and calls to action."

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning created an "Anti-Racist Pedagogy Repository" for faculty members.

On February 8, 2024, the school hosted an event called, “Love… What’s Race Got to Do With It?” This event was a part of the Difficult Dialogue program, which “is a student-run dialogue program focused on race and racism on and beyond campus.”

A library guide for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism was created. Some topics explored include “Power & Privilege 101” and “White Supremacy Culture.”

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."