This is an opportunity for the iSchool to stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for reform and to increase the faculty’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. While we value the statement the iSchool has made, we believe that further resources and support can better amplify the faculty’s sincerity for equity, diversity, and inclusion within our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community especially during a time when they need it most.

We believe that there are pressing items that need to be addressed that will help speak to the concerns of our students, such as:

• A banner across all iSchool website pages that links to the iSchool’s statement on the recent protests, as well as available resources for students affected such as group discussions.
• The permanent creation of BIPOC financial aid, and heightened BIPOC scholarship awareness.
• Recognition of the mental stress that this situation can cause, and provision of accommodations for students experiencing emotional distress such as: paid note taking made available for classes, encourage professors to provide extensions, and ensure lectures are recorded.
• Data from the iSchool’s partnerships with other organizations (e.g., co-op) and information about whether the iSchool will be working to partner only with those that are speaking out about anti-Black racism.
• Cultural competency training for all staff to create a safer learning and community environment.
• Hiring a full-time, student-approved, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator for the iSchool so that the burden of labour no longer has to be fully performed by students who are offering their input and consultation. No longer ask the students who are vulnerable, who hold far less power than their faculty counterparts, to do the bulk of this work.

This initiative is a combination of the efforts of students and alumni involved in Master of Information Student Council (MISC), Diversity Working Group (DWG), Museum Professionals of Colour (MPOC), Accessibility Interests Working Group (AIWG), Indigenous Connections Working Group (ICWG) and multiple concentrations within the iSchool.