Biology DEI Committee's Statement On Incidents in Xavier Hall

Statement Issued Saturday, Feb 20, 2021: At Boston College, we strive to create an inclusive community of excellence. How can students in our community learn, engage and thrive when they feel threatened, harassed and targeted in the very places where they live? We are disappointed, sad and angry about the racist harassment that has been occurring in the MLE floor of Xavier Hall. This is unfortunately just one particularly egregious example of the agressions, exclusions and inequities that occur far too frequently within our community. Such events have disproportionately negative effects on our students who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC), and the toll of overt and systemic racism within our community is substantial and unacceptable. As a committee and a department, we extend our support and stand with everyone affected, directly and indirectly by this incident. The members of the DEI committee, and many members of the Biology administration and Faculty are available to talk with students and all community members about any concerns. We will work together to create a safe and welcoming environment. Faculty have put together resources for addressing racism on campus, which may be found here. Bias motivated behavior and incidence can always be reported here, and the Office of Student Conduct may be reached at 617-552-3470 and our Biology Diversity and Outreach homepage may be found here.

 

 

 

 

The Biology DEI Committee

 

(Sarah McMenamin, Emrah Altindis, Kari Jensen, David Burgess, Suyen Espinoza Miranda)