Stetson University Commitment Statements

Commitments to Racial Justice and Equity

Updated Dec. 16, 2020

2020 has been a year of constant change and at times it seemed each week brought new personal, political and community challenges. In and of itself COVID-19 was challenging enough, but in May 2020 the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police officers sparked national and international protests. Black Lives Matter, the movement, the hashtag and the words, exploded again in social media. It should be noted that Black Lives Matter was started in 2013 as a hashtag that took on a power of its own and was created following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin. That acquittal came in a Florida courtroom not more than 20 miles from Stetson. 

As part of expressing their commitment and support for their students and colleagues, below are the racial justice and equity statements from individual departments, offices, divisions, colleges and schools at Stetson University.

Alphabetical Links

Career | CCE | Chemistry | COAS | COL | Communication | Counseling | Creative

duPont-Ball | Economics | English | Environmental | Latin American

Philosophy | Residential Living | Sociology | Writing

Bonner Program

We carry heavy hearts following the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery, and the many lives that have been taken at the hands of the police in protest of these deaths across the country. We acknowledge that systemic oppression and violence against black and brown bodies in the United States has persisted for centuries, and we commit to deepening our fight against these systems that endanger the lives of black and brown people in our community. More about the Bonner Program.

Center for Community Engagement Statement

On June 19, 2020, we join communities in DeLand and around our country to celebrate the day that the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last people still enslaved in the United States in Galveston, Texas in 1865 – the holiday of Juneteenth. As we know too well, though, the absence of slavery has not guaranteed the presence of justice for Black and Brown people in our country. More about Community Engagement.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry strives to create a learning environment that supports diversity of thoughts, capabilities, and perspectives. Everyone has a life filled with different challenges and experiences. The faculty in the department appreciate this and embrace the diversity of our students. More about the Department of Chemistry. 

College of Arts and Sciences Statement of Commitment to Racial Justice and Equity

The College of Arts and Sciences holds the following to be unequivocally true: Black Lives Matter. The unbearably long line of Black lives lost to blue violence in recent histories, such as George Floyd, Sandra Bland, and Tamir Rice, as well as those lost to blue-sanctioned violence in the more distant past, such as Emmett Till, Carol Denise McNair and Dick Rowland, have ignited an empathic firestorm among people from all races and ethnicities. More about the College of Arts and Sciences Commitment to Equity. 

College of Law Antiracism Resolution

The Stetson University College of Law faculty and Diversity and Inclusion Committee recognize the ongoing, systemic and perpetual racial and societal injustices, which have been in place since the establishment of this country. More about the College of Law Resolution.

Department of Communication and Media Studies, Pledge of Commitment to Racial Justice

The Department of Communication and Media Studies continues to be enraged and heartbroken by the systemic racism in our communities. We extend our solidarity with Black and brown students, staff and faculty at Stetson University…More about the Department of Communication Commitment to Racial Justice.

Student Counseling Services Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Student Counseling Services staff are trained in building their own cultural competence to be able to work with students of different identities, ethnicities, values and beliefs, by providing an unbiased and non-judgmental perspective. We strive to promote equity and inclusivity through our work with students, and by providing support and advocacy for their diverse needs. More about the Student Counseling Services Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Creative Arts Department Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Inspired by our colleagues in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies, the undersigned faculty and staff members of the Creative Arts Department want to publicly affirm our support for the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement. More about the Creative Arts Department Statement of Solidarity with BLM. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: duPont-Ball Library

This is a living document and will evolve as we continue to assess our progress. We recognize that these issues will require continuous and constant work. Our current duPont-Ball Library Strategic Plan (2019- 2023) embraces an Inclusive Environment as one of the foundational commitments that support our entire plan. More about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the duPont-Ball Library.

Department of Economics Statement of Solidarity on Commitment to Racial Equity

Inspired by our colleagues at Stetson and around the world, we, the Department of Economics, agree that Black lives matter and strongly support the Black Lives Matter movement. We are mindful of the stories of racism experienced by faculty, staff and students on our campus. More about the Department of Economics Statement of Commitment to Racial Equity.

English Department Commitment to Anti-Racist Practices

The faculty of the English Department acknowledges the pain and harm caused by racism and racist incidents in the Stetson community, especially as revealed in this summer’s “Let’s Talk Racism” virtual meetings. We recognize that as a predominantly white, Southern, private institution, Stetson University is obliged to address and correct racism on our campuses. More about the English Department Commitment to Anti-Racist Practices.

Department of Environmental Science and Studies

We, in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies, share this statement to affirm, unequivocally, that Black lives matter. We, like many of you, have been devastated by the recent killings of Black Americans – those we know about and those we do not – as well as the stories of racism experienced by faculty, staff and students on our own campus. More about the Department of Environmental Science and Studies Solidarity to BLM.

Latin American and Latino Studies Program Statement

We declare our solidarity with the ongoing protests, grief, and justified rage against acts of racist brutality. We share this statement to affirm that there are individuals who identify as AfroLatinx, AfroLatino, AfroLatina, AfroLatin American or Afro-Caribbean who also experience anti-Black racism. More about the Latin American and Latino Studies Statement on Racial Justice.

Department of Philosophy Pledge of Commitment to Racial Justice

The Philosophy Department at Stetson University stands with the American Philosophical Association’s condemnation of all forms of racism. More about the Department of Philosophy Pledge of Commitment to Racial Justice.

Residential Living and Learning

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice: Our Commitment to You as a Resident

We believe in and are committed to the advancement of human rights and to each other, which requires an appreciation of difference, transformation of oneself and an understanding of both one’s own culture and the culture of others through their personal experiences. 

Department of Sociology and Anthropology Pledge of Commitment to Black Lives and Racial Justice

We, in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, share this statement to affirm, unequivocally, that Black lives matter. The horrible events leading up to, and, including the deaths of George Floyd and many other Black men, women, girls and boys at the hands of law enforcement and legal officials are unacceptable acts committed in the communities they were sworn to protect. More about the Department of Sociology and Anthropology Pledge of Commitment to Racial Justice.

Writing Program Antiracist Statement

The faculty of the Writing Program acknowledges that writing instruction in English is bound to formations of power, privilege and identity. As writing instructors, scholars and program administrators, we are often expected to teach and evaluate writing in ways that give prestige to dominant, "unraced" dialects of English. More about the Writing Program Antiracist Statement.