It's time we all took a stance

Black lives matter. That’s it. 

They always have and they always will. 

Simply condemning doesn't suffice. Talk is cheap. We have to do more. As the Vice President and Dean of Admission at Tulane University, I am starting the creation of the following action plan to help combat systemic racism. It begins today. It is a start and one of many initiatives that our university and division will implement:

1. Scholarship and Aid: I will support President Mike Fitts and other campus leaders to raise funds to significantly increase the amount of scholarships funds available to students who demonstrate leadership in racial equity and justice or diversity initiatives at Tulane or their high school. I am committed to increasing the number of full-tuition Louisiana Excellence Awards we offer. 
2. Anti-Black Racism Training: This starts with education. Our entire team will go through training in the coming months so we are educated on how to combat racism. Learning that not being racist doesn't equal being anti-racist is just the beginning. I am mandating this for every member of our team.
3. Community Outreach: New Orleans is one of the most diverse communities in the entire world. While we have made progress, we still have a long way to go in achieving diversity. I will be appointing a task force with members of our division to review, analyze and create a plan that supports Black students from our community and their families as they begin their search for higher education. I am looking for leaders across the three departments who will commit to this mission
4. Open Dialogue: I want to hear from you. Some of you have already reached out but I would like to hear from you about what our institution and more specifically our division can do to fight systemic racism that exists in society today. I welcome you to write to me directly with your thoughts and ideas.

This plan will evolve as I talk to more people across our division, institution and community. 

I am resolute in my commitment to fight systemic racism. I urge each and every one of you to join me, President Fitts and the entire Tulane community in this fight. I have heard people often lament that they can't change the world. The reality is that you can change your world. You just have to start somewhere.