Mischaracterizing variety efforts on the College of South Florida (letter) — science weblog

To the Editor:

I write in reference to the February 3, 2022 article entitled, “Shouting Down an Empty Hallway.” In distinction to the mischaracterization within the article, throughout my presidency on the College of South Florida (USF), we demonstrated a deep dedication to variety, fairness, and inclusion. 

As examples, my administration took particular actions to succeed in the next milestones:

• The incoming class for autumn 2021 confirmed a rise of 16% in Black college students, 3% in Hispanic college students, 14% in Asian college students and 17% extra college students who self-identify as two races or extra (first time in school undergraduates).  These positive aspects had been achieved whereas sustaining practically 40%, of Pell grant eligible college students.
• Secured a $60,000 grant from the Helios Basis to strengthen recruitment of Black undergraduate college students.
• Met repeatedly with the Black Worker Steering Committee (BESC), the Black Management Community, the Tampa Group for Black Affairs, Mayor’s Hispanic Council, and the Latin Group Advisory Council.  I additionally actively supported the Asian American and Pacific Islander Affiliation by advising them and becoming a member of their occasions. 
• Elevated the function of Vice President for Institutional Fairness to membership in USF’s Government Management Council.
• Created the brand new place of Senior Advisor to the President and Provost for Range and Inclusion.
• Appointed the Interim Vice President for Institutional Fairness, which subsequently led to nationwide, regional, and native awards for USF such because the Increased Schooling Excellence in Range Award, the Not Alone Range, Fairness, and Inclusion Award, and the Hispanic Heritage Orgullo Award.
• Supported creation of the Range, Anti-Racism and Fairness (DARE) Dashboards to set and observe variety targets relating to pupil, college, and employees information.
• Reorganized administrative processes to enhance the efficacy of investigations of gender-based violence on our campuses and help for victims of such violence.
• Allotted $500,000 to create USF’s Anti-Racism Analysis Initiative.

Reflecting the impacts of our actions, in a letter dated July 27, 2021, members of the BESC expressly acknowledged my “sustained dedication to variety, fairness, inclusion, and anti-racism . . .”  The BESC letter went on to state:

“Your deep perception in fairness and social justice, grounded within the Rules of Group, has led USF to extraordinary achievements in a comparatively quick time frame. You harnessed your brave management by collaborating with campus companions and significantly BESC. These partnerships have laid the muse for a future journey during which variety, fairness, inclusion, and anti-racism might be paramount to USF’s future aspirations and success. Thus, we’re appreciative of your genuine, moral, and transformational management.  You’ve got made USF a greater place by your stellar management and dedication to fairness, variety, and inclusion.”

Throughout my presidency, we took concrete steps that mirrored my lifelong dedication to welcoming people from all backgrounds.

—Steven C. Currall
Professor and Former President
College of South Florida