Declaration Against Racism
June 4, 2020
As the executive leadership of the Indiana University Alumni Association, we share profound concern about the divisions in our society. The senseless murder of George Floyd and other innocent people of color reflects a legacy of hatred, systemic racism, and violence that must be broken.
We stand with the Black community and all people who have endured abuse, discrimination, and mistreatment. Your lives matter.
This is a declaration of our shared commitment to ensure the Indiana University Alumni Association is an even more inclusive, supportive, and welcoming community where discrimination of any kind is not tolerated. As leaders, we want to make clear:
- We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind based on age, ancestry, citizenship, color, gender expression, gender identity, genetic material, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.
- Any form of bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threat — whether verbal, physical, or visual — based on any of these characteristics is a form of discrimination. Whenever we witness these acts, we will call them out and intervene.
- We commit to cultivating a culture where employees and volunteers feel safe to express themselves, share creative and intellectual work, and take independent action to deepen our collective capacity to be even more inclusive, welcoming, and self-aware of implicit bias.
- We do this in good faith and with positive intent, listening and adjusting as we gain insight from the course of action outlined below.
Building on the good work of the staff and volunteers who came before us, we commit to four specific actions. We will report our progress to the Board of Managers and Executive Council on a regular basis so we are accountable and transparent.
- We will educate and orient ourselves to be even more authentic, effective advocates and allies of diversity and inclusion with greater self-awareness of our inherent biases.
- We will require our staff and volunteers to participate in programs designed to deepen our awareness and capacity to act in even more inclusive and welcoming ways.
- As we develop IUAA content and programming, we will create opportunities bring to light these issues to generate greater awareness and dialogue.
- IUAA policies, practices, and culture will be re-examined to eliminate any implicit bias and unconscious discrimination.
We hope these efforts boost the IUAA’s capacity to amplify the many voices in the chorus of IU alumni and friends who oppose discrimination and share in our desire for the Alumni Association to have a culture of belonging where all feel included, supported, and welcomed. In so doing, we can empower and inspire IU alumni to be a force for good in the world.
Signed by the Senior Management Team
- J Thomas Forbes, Chief Executive Officer
- Patricia Riveire Stumpf, Senior Executive Director
- Kelly Carnahan, Executive Director of Marketing
- Sarah Pike, Executive Director of Finance
- Rebecca Keith, Executive Director of Governance
- Mary Bonk, Vice President for Advancement Technology