From the President's Desk
Message from the President: Membership of the President’s Anti-Racism Task Force
Today I am very pleased to announce the membership of the President’s Anti-Racism Task Force (PART). The list of members constitutes a very talented group of individuals from the Acadia community and beyond. I am very grateful to all those who have agreed to participate in this important process, and I look forward to seeing the work of the Task Force commence very soon.
The members of the PART are as follows:
- Marjorie Lewis, University Chaplain - Co-Chair (Internal)
- Patricia McCulloch, Black Educators Association (Valley Office) - Co-Chair (External)
- Zabrina Whitman, Coordinator, Indigenous Affairs - Vice-Chair
- Robert Ffrench Board of Governors
- Melinda Daye Board of Governors
- Elder Joe Michael - Indian Book, NS
- Martin Tango, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
- Claudine Bonner, Faculty of Arts
- Jennifer Tinkham, Faculty of Professional Studies
- Spencer Boersma, Faculty of Theology
- Fikayo Kayode, President Black Student Society (BSA)
- Haneesha Relwani, President, Acadia International Society (AIS)
- Leah Creaser, President, Indigenous Student Society of Acadia (ISSA)
- Soyini Edwards, Diversity & Inclusion Representative, ASU
- Dale Keefe, Provost and VP Academic
- Laura Robinson, Dean of Arts
- Christine (Luckasavitch) McRae, Acadia Alumni Association, Whitney ON
- Kerry Deveau, Director, Human Resources
- James Sanford, Executive Director, Student Services
- Paulo Santana, Black Student Navigator
- Polly Leonard, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Kevin Dickie, Executive Director, Acadia Athletics
- Alexis Mackey, Acting Coordinator, International Student Advising/Wong International Centre
- Patrick Difford, Director, Safety and Security staff
Administrative Support will be provided by Ian Murray, Executive Director, Office of the President and Natalie Weekes, Executive Assistant to the President
As described in the announcement of August 1, the main purposes of Task Force will be to:
- define the nature of systemic racism at Acadia;
- identify the causes and the barriers that prevent us from eliminating systemic racism at Acadia;
- identify ways to promote removing the causes and dismantling the barriers; and
- address how Acadia’s educational and research mission can contribute more effectively to the broader societal advancement of anti-racism, inclusion, and diversity.
The Task Force will present recommendations to me for an action plan by which Acadia can become an anti-racist community and make lasting contributions to the elimination of racism in society at large.
Thank you again to all those who have agreed to be members of the Task Force, and a special thank you to our co-chairs and vice-chair for agreeing to take on the critical roles of leading the Task Force in its deliberations. Special thanks also to Elder Joe Michael for agreeing to bring his wisdom, experience and guidance to the work of the Task Force. The entire Acadia community is grateful, and we look forward with anticipation to the important work that will come from this initiative.
Best wishes,
Peter
Dr. Peter Ricketts
President and Vice-Chancellor
Acadia University
Contact
Office of the President & Vice-Chancellor
15 University Avenue
Acadia University
Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6
president@acadiau.ca
902-585-1218