VCU news

Dear VCU Community, 

As we continue into the Spring 2017 semester the Office of the President and Division of Inclusive Excellence wish to share a few key updates.

Follow Up to the President’s Forum on Social Justice and Spring Climate Survey: Presentations and discussions on feedback from the fall Presidential Forum on Social Justice as well as the findings from the 2016 survey on campus climate will take place on Tuesday, February 7th from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. in the Baruch Auditorium, Egyptian Building (MCV Campus) and Wednesday, February 8th from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Commons Theater, Student Commons. 

Leadership: During 2017, Dr. Rosalyn Hobson Hargraves will serve as Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and will provide on-campus leadership for the Division of Inclusive Excellence during Dr. Allison’s ACE Fellowship at the University of Maryland College Park. 
 
DACA: President Rao and his senior leadership team fully support the federal DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and our students who are enrolled at VCU under guidelines approved by the state Attorney General. All of our students contribute uniquely to the fabric of this community and deserve the opportunity to engage in educational pursuits that advance their careers, their families and our society. 

President Rao has signed the Pomona statement that calls for DACA to be upheld, continued and expanded. He joins more than 600 other college presidents who pledge to proactively advocate for DACA and our undocumented immigrant students.

We do not yet know the incoming administration’s plans regarding DACA. In the meantime, we will monitor developments related to DACA and consider the legality and appropriateness of university actions to support and protect our students.  We also will continue to advocate that the promise made by the U.S government to afford rights and opportunities to young people brought to this country as children is kept. 

VCU Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan: The work on VCU’s new Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan continues. The Council for Inclusive Excellence and Equity is integrating feedback received as part of the public posting and anticipates presenting the plan for approval to the Board of Visitors during spring of 2017. 

Building Inclusive Communities (BIC): Education sessions designed to support our efforts to become a more engaged and inclusive campus community will continue through VCU’s Building Inclusive Communities programming. For upcoming training dates, please see the BIC website. 

Office of the President