Racial Justice Task Force Final Report - May 17, 2021
The President’s Special Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was created in 2020 by President Clark to examine the elements of policy, practice, and culture that are impeding racial equity at BSU, and to identify remedies and recommendations for corrective action. Some 70 members of our campus community have engaged in this thoughtful, necessary, often challenging, painful, and rewarding work. This Task Force's final report lays out many immediate and long-term steps Bridgewater can take towards becoming a more racially just, inclusive, and equitable community.
View RJTF Final Report (PDF) »
Twelfth Full Membership Meeting Summary — April 9, 2021
The Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held its twelfth and final meeting on Friday, April 9, 2021.
The six pairs of Subcommittee Co-Chairs gave brief high-level overviews of the findings and recommendations for their respective groups for President Clark and Provost Karim Ismaili.
President Clark and Provost Ismaili thanked the RJTF for their careful and focused attention to their charge for the past eight months, and look forward to receiving the final report from the RJTF in mid-April.
RJTF Co-Chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino also extended their deep appreciation for everyone who has contributed to the important work of the Task Force.
Eleventh Full Membership Meeting Summary — April 2, 2021
The Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held its eleventh meeting on Friday, April 2. This was an expanded meeting that included members of the six RJTF Subcommittees, for nearly 60 attendees.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino welcomed members of the Task Force and thanked them for their work and commitment over the past academic year.
The six pairs of Subcommittee Co-Chairs gave brief high-level overviews of the findings and recommendations for their respective group and initial feedback and reactions were shared via small breakout groups.
Tenth Full Membership Meeting Summary — March 5, 2021
The Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held its tenth meeting on Friday, March 5, 2021. The first half of the meeting featured updates from the six subcommittees, including data collection, analysis, findings and early draft recommendations. Provost Karim Ismaili attended the second half of the meeting to give an update on and participate in a discussion of issues relevant to the psychology survey.
Ninth Full Membership Meeting Summary — Feb. 12, 2021
At its ninth meeting on Feb. 12, 2021, the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) had presentations by BSU Police Chief David Tillinghast and Vice President of the Student Success and Diversity Division Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior. The balance of the meeting was an Open Forum for questions and discussion of issues relevant to the Task Force.
RJTF Update at BSU Town Hall — Feb. 4, 2021
RJTF Co-Chair and Senior Administrative Fellow for Civics and Social Justice Dr. Mary Grant gave an update on the progress of the RJTF during the Feb. 4, 2021 Town Hall meeting for faculty and staff.
Eighth Full Membership Meeting Summary — Jan. 29, 2021
The Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held its eighth meeting on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino welcomed members of the Task Force back for the Spring 2021 semester and thanked them for their work and commitment. They reviewed an updated Timeline for Spring 2021 and reviewed the format that the Subcommittees should use for their reports to the RJTF Co-Chairs. Each subcommittee gave an update on current status, including plans for data collection. The meeting closed with a review of upcoming meetings and racial justice events, as well as general questions and discussion.
Meeting Agenda »
Slides »
Spring 2021 Timeline »
Subcommittee Report Format »
RJTF Co-Chairs Update to BSU Board of Trustees — Dec. 9, 2020
RJTF Co-Chairs Trustee Davede Alexander and Senior Administrative Fellow for Civics and Social Justice Dr. Mary Grant gave an update on the progress of the RJTF to the Bridgewater State University Board of Trustees at its December 2020 meeting. Please refer to the presentation for a brief history of the process and progress of the Task Force and its subcommittees.
Seventh Full Membership Meeting Summary — Dec. 4, 2020
The seventh meeting of the full membership of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was held on Friday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via online meeting.
After welcoming remarks from the RJTF Co-Chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino, Shawn Flynn from the Division of Human Resources and Talent Management gave a data presentation on current Faculty demographics and recruitment and hiring practices. Each of the Subcommittee Co-Chairs also shared highlights from recent subcommittee activities.
Sixth Full Membership Meeting Summary — Nov. 20, 2020
The sixth meeting of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held on Friday, Nov. 20. featured progress updates from all six Subcommittees and two presentations.
Vice President Dr. Joe Oravecz presented on the racial justice work underway in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and Assistant Provost Dr. Jenny Shanahan presented on the ongoing racial justice activities within the Division of Academic Affairs Division. RJTF Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino acknowledged and thanked the members for their sustained work, including an informative set of written reports provided by each RJTF Subcommittee.
Fifth Full Membership Meeting Summary — Oct. 30, 2020
The Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) held its fifth meeting on Friday, Oct.30. This was an expanded meeting that included members of the six RJTF Subcommittees, for more than 60 attendees.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino welcomed members of the Task Force, thanked them for their work and commitment, and gave a brief overview of the mission, values, approach, and timeline for the Task Force and Subcommittee work. The attendees participated in several small group conversation to build community, focus the work of the subcommittees, and offer the opportunity for questions and discussion.
Fourth Full Membership Meeting Summary — Oct. 16, 2020
The fourth meeting of the full membership of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was held on Friday, Oct.16 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via online meeting.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino welcomed members of the Task Force and reviewed an updated timeline for subcommittee activities. Subcommittees were paired for discuss their progress and plans for data gathering and analysis. Task Force members also engaged in small group discussions about community and racial equity in relation to the work of the Task Force and BSU.
Third Full Membership Meeting Summary — Oct. 2, 2020
The third meeting of the full membership of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was held on Friday, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via online meeting.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino provided an overview of the focus and framing of the work of the Subcommittees, as well as a timeline for their work. The Task Force also received two presentations on key data that will be used to inform its work. Dr. Kate McLaren Poole, Director of Institutional Research at BSU, presented on the annual BSU Factbook and other data about students, faculty, and staff available through Institutional Research. Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior and Sydné Marrow presented on the findings of BSU Students of Color Student Success Focus Groups.
RJTF Subcommittees Announced — Sept. 25, 2020
There are six RJTF subcommittees, focused on the following areas:
Subcommittee 1: Curricula and Co-Curricula
Subcommittee 2: BSU Workforce
Subcommittee 3: Education, Training, and Continued Learning Opportunities for Faculty, Staff, and Students
Subcommittee 4: Investing In and Supporting Students
Subcommittee 5: Police and Public Safety
Subcommittee 6: Creating a Place for Ongoing Support, Problem Solving, Reporting Resolution, and Response
Learn more about the leadership, membership and focus of each subcommittee »
RJTF Subcommittee Charter »
RJTF Core Values »
We are profoundly grateful to the 70+ staff, faculty and students for their willingness to serve, as each of them offers tremendous knowledge and unique expertise that will advance the work of their respective subcommittees and contribute to the RJTF as a whole.
Second Full Membership Meeting Summary — Sept. 18, 2020
The second meeting of the full membership of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was held on Friday, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via online meeting.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino reviewed updates to the Core Values visual representation (based on feedback from Task Force members) and reviewed the timeframe for the work of the Task Force this fall. Members also received a tour of BSU’s new Racial Justice website.
The six subcommittees were presented and membership for Task Force members was shared, along with a subcommittee charter that will guide the work of all subcommittees. Additional faculty, staff and students are being invited to join the subcommittees and the full final lists will be shared next week. Data and policies already collected and assembled for use by the subcommittees were shared.
First Full Membership Meeting Summary — Aug. 20, 2020
The inaugural meeting of the full membership of the Special Presidential Task Force on Racial Justice (RJTF) was held on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. via online meeting.
Co-chairs Mary Grant, Davede Alexander and Carolyn Petrosino welcomed and thanked all members for serving. President Clark laid out the focus and mission of the Task Force. The co-chairs presented and led the Task Force in discussing the Framing Question, Core Values, Commitments and Time Frame for the work of the Task Force.
Members received information on the themes and calls to action that came from multiple online forums held with students, faculty and staff over the summer, which will be used to inform their work.
Subcommittees and a meeting schedule were proposed and the meeting ended with general discussion.