St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees Resolution Denouncing Racism, and Supporting Equity, Safety, and Well-Being of Black, Brown, and Indigenous People and Those That Identify as LGBTQIA+

WHEREAS, St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and the Board of Trustees are committed to empowering students, expand minds, and change lives; and

WHEREAS, STLCC has a vision of being a national leader and model institution for inclusive and transformative education that strengthens the communities it serves through the success of all students; and

WHEREAS, STLCC has a core value of respect for all. At STLCC, we celebrate our diversity and will provide the necessary resources and supports to eliminate barriers to success and foster a more equitable future for all of our students; and 

WHEREAS, STLCC has stated equity, diversity, and inclusion as a theme under the 2020-2023 strategic plan, which includes clear goals and key performance indicators; and

WHEREAS, throughout our nation’s history, institutional, and structural racism and injustice have led to deepening racial disparities across all sectors of society and have lasting negative consequences for our communities and nation; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a disproportionate physical, mental, and financial toll on Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities; and

WHEREAS, STLCC stands with and supports students and staff that identify as LGBTQIA+; and

WHEREAS, Black, Brown, and Indigenous, community members continue to experience microaggressions, racial profiling, hate incidents, and racial bias in all systems they encounter, including our public college institutions; and

WHEREAS, historically, when Black, Brown, and Indigenous people have fought for a more democratic society, the lives of all people have improved and, conversely, each time barriers to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people's potential have been erected, our whole society has suffered; and  

WHEREAS, we recognize that discrimination, bias, and racist incidents against Black, Brown, and Indigenous students harm them mentally, physically, and academically; and

WHEREAS, our public institutions are facilitators of the limitless growth potential of all people, with a charge to instill in our students a belief that every person deserves to live with dignity, be valued for their inherent humanity, and be treated ethically; and        

WHEREAS, stating that Black, Brown, and Indigenous lives matter does not negate our commitment to all members of our community, but rather elevates Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, who have historically been oppressed by our society, and affirming that their lives, specifically, matter; and     

WHEREAS, these efforts are aligned with our strategic plan and the recognition that valuing the diversity that exists among our students, staff, and community members is integral to our vision; and

WHEREAS, we believe that silence and inaction perpetuate injustice, bias, and racism.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees stands firmly against bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in all forms, both institutional and individual; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees wishes to affirm its commitment to the well-being and safety of Black, Brown, and Indigenous community members and those that identify as LGBTQIA+ and let them know they are not alone;

1. We denounce discrimination, racism, and sentiments against Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. We will not tolerate racist treatment of any members of our community, and we will speak out against racism and systemic oppression in our society to help stop the spread of bigotry;
2. We will confront the biases in our own institution and actively engage in the challenging work of dismantling problematic practices that are limiting opportunities for our Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ students and staff.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that St. Louis Community College will continue to seek to work tirelessly and collaboratively with staff, students, and the community to dismantle institutionalized racism in our society; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees directs the College administration to have the College Diversity and Inclusion Council explore a recommendation to the Chancellor of adding June 19th, Juneteenth, as an official College paid holiday, when it falls on a Monday through Friday; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Diversity and Inclusion Council reports to the Board of Trustees quarterly as a part of the Strategic Plan 2020-2023 Theme Monthly Updates on other recommendations, initiatives, and progress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the College administration reviews the St. Louis Community College Police Department guidelines and practices to ensure such that do not treat all human beings fairly are banned from allowable use within the department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution is to be posted on the College website, to be emailed to all students, faculty, and staff, and an official press release is sent to all local media; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees declares that the lives of our Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ students, and staff matter. We as a Board are therefore committed to continuing to address systematic racism towards these groups of students and staff and will continue to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Adopted by the St. Louis Community Board of Trustees on this 25th day of June 2020.