We’re sharing a message to the broader Oxford alumni community, penned by Christine Fairchild, Director of Alumni Relations, addressing recent social events in the US and worldwide.
17 June 2020
Dear Oxford alumni,
We have all been deeply moved by the shocking truth of George Floyd’s recent killing. The protests associated with the events in Minneapolis have echoed across the world and filled our TV screens, whilst the streets of London, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford and beyond have been occupied with the voices of people demanding change.
The University’s leaders have been acknowledging the impact of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests and has reaffirmed its commitments to anti-racism, but more importantly they have been engaging with, and listening to, students and staff. I write to you today to share the University’s statement on anti-racism published on Monday, which contains links to various open and detailed letters back to students about their concerns, demonstrating our commitment as an institution to shine a bright light for a more just and tolerant society, and laying out a number of actions, including:
- Launching a University fundraising initiative for scholarships for black students.
- Using a University-wide consultation on our Racial Equality Charter to review our progress and targets, whilst also undertaking a review of all our Equality and Diversity training.
- Setting up an access track to meet the specific needs of BAME students wishing to apply to Oxford.
- Supporting targeted initiatives led by individual colleges and departments.
This comes with our best wishes and more importantly, our commitment to supporting a culture of acceptance and respect.
Sincerely,
Christine Fairchild
Director of Alumni Relations