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University of Chicago

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
5801 S Ellis Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone
(773) 702-1234
School Information
"The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government." The university enrolls over 16,900 students, has over 2,300 faculty, and offers 52 majors and 41 minors across its five divisions and six professional schools. (Source: https://www.uchicago.edu/about/)
General Information
The University of Chicago has taken steps to implement anti-racist program requirements, although whether these requirements are mandatory training or additional requirements for existing university programs is unclear. Additionally, the university promised to make additions to its curricula, but not specific changes have been announced. The University of Chicago is also considering the creation and funding of a "Department of Critical Race Studies". No mandatory Critical Race Training sessions are yet required of students. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Curriculum Changes and Requirements
Program and Research Funding
  • The University of Chicago is considering the creation and funding of a "Department of Critical Race Studies".
Resources
  • "The BA program in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that leads students to examine both the processes through which members of the human population have been constructed as racial and ethnic groups, and the political, historical, social, and cultural effects of this constitution. It trains students to think critically and comparatively about the varying ways in which race and ethnicity have been constructed in different parts of the world and in different historical periods. Focusing on conquest, subjugation, genocide, slavery, segregation, migration, and diasporas, among other related topics, CRES prompts students to examine the political, social, and cultural practices and institutions of minority or marginalized populations in colonial and postcolonial settings."
  • The University of Chicago offers resources on DEI in addition to hosting events on anti-racism.
  • The school offers Diversity Leadership Awards.
  • The school takes part in the Faculty Advancement Network in order to promote diversity.
  • The school has aided in creating a website of resources for "Inclusive Pedagogy."
  • According to an article released by the school on October 7, 2022, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division has a program, The Inclusion Menu, which “features an array of presentations related to diversity & inclusion education.”
Symbolic Actions
  • The school has created a Diversity and Inclusion Planning Toolkit.
  • In November of 2022, it was reported that Rebecca Journey, the professor of the course “The Problem of Whiteness,” had “postponed the course from winter to spring 2023.” This was in response to a great deal of backlash which started from a tweet posted by Daniel Schmidt, a sophomore. Furthermore, “the University defended the course, citing the Chicago Principles, a University tradition that upholds a commitment to free speech and the ability to debate controversial ideas.”
  • Concerning Daniel Schmidt’s tweet criticizing the course “The Problem of Whiteness”, Professor Rebecca Journey stated “This was a malicious attack not just on me as a teacher but on anti-racist pedagogy writ large” and, furthermore, “We can’t let the cyberterrorists win.” The professor is seeking disciplinary action against Schmidt.
  • In October of 2022, it was reported that “A University of Chicago student organization committed to 'racial justice' is hosting a meeting on race that is only for black, indigenous and people of color.” This event is named “Race @ Chicago,” a part of the Dis-Orientation 2022 program.
  • The University of Chicago has a program called Dis-Orientation which hosts events that “include a series of workshops and seminars including ‘Race at UChicago,’ ‘Policing and Gentrification at UChicago,’ a ‘White Ally Workshop,’ and a student-activist open house.”
Last updated April 2nd, 2023
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