We Stand Together

Release Date: Jun 5, 2020

Dear IBIO Community,

The Department of Integrative Biology (IBIO) reaffirms its support for Black students, faculty, and staff in our community, as well as for all minorities who have been victims of discrimination congruent with the statements expressed by President Stanley and Provost Sullivan, as well as Dean Duxbury and Associate Dean Sisk. The murders of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia are only the most recent examples of unjust and intolerable state-sanctioned violence that disproportionately targets Black communities. In this moment of extreme pain, it is important that communities such as ours acknowledge our responsibility and commit to the work necessary to achieve social equity and justice. We need to listen to Black voices, examine the ways that we might have been indifferent to or complicit in the systemic racism that enabled this violence and actively work to replace that system.

The IBIO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee was created in Fall 2019, in part to help the department do the difficult, uncomfortable, and painful work necessary to confront racism as a community. Looking inwards in these moments is necessary but not sufficient; we must reach out and we must do better.

In order to address these issues, the DEI committee has (1) developed a website for DEI resources for our students, faculty, and staff; is currently (2) surveying our staff, students, and faculty to determine the prevalence and sources of bias in our department; (3) scheduling anti-bias training for our faculty, staff, and students; and (4) continuing to examine ways we as a department can combat racism and other forms of discrimination. Beyond these initial actions, the committee is here to hear your concerns, support you, and provide resources for you to better navigate this moment in your classrooms, communities, and homes. Please feel free to reach out at any time at IBIO@msu.edu or submit your feedback anonymously.

Sincerely,

Thomas Getty, Dept. Chair
IBIO DEI Advisory Committee
Diana Bello-DeOcampo
Isabela Borges
Gideon Bradburd
Janet Hershberger
Mariah Meek
Katie Oeschger