Dear Mizzou Community,

The events of the past few weeks have been both heartbreaking and jarring. The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade, to name a few, cause us deep and searing pain, and IDE recognizes the ongoing trauma inflicted on our students, staff, faculty, and alumni. We stand with our community against racism, transphobia and other forms of systemic oppression manifesting throughout the country.

Many members of our university community have reached out to IDE for resources to support and enhance discussions with students and colleagues, or opportunities to educate themselves on the underlying issues that led to the protests nationwide. IDE has compiled a list of suggested books, articles, movies and podcasts, along with a self-guided curriculum entitled, “Race, Racism, and the American Experience.” We also have a resource on Facilitating Discussions. These resources should help those who wish to broaden their perspectives and learn more about identities different from their own. We encourage you to engage with these resources by watching, reading, listening and learning.

IDE has also been providing support to students, faculty and staff, and in collaboration with President/Interim Chancellor Choi and Provost Ramchand, have been meeting groups to discuss your needs, your hopes for the future, and fielding your questions about our progress toward true inclusion at Mizzou. We will continue to engage our community in meaningful conversations that result in further actionable items.

You have asked for transparency and authenticity in our work. You have also expressed that we have not clearly communicated our successes, and our future plans. We hear you and will do better! We look forward to sharing explicit ways we have been, and continue to, address the needs of our campus community.

MU Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity