The Mustang Solidarity Pledge

THE MUSTANG SOLIDARITY PLEDGE

At Stevenson we pride ourselves on diversity and realize its importance and power in the University as well as in the world beyond our campus. Although discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, religion, social class, or disability are not new, we must stand together now more than ever to eradicate discrimination, even in the most subtle forms. The Stevenson community is re-committing itself to ensuring that students, alumni, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds are seen, heard, and valued. We are grounding this commitment in our current institutional values and setting a new precedent for equity, the quality of being fair and impartial when it comes to status, rights and opportunities, as a determinate of success for current and future members of the Mustang family.

The Mustang Solidarity Pledge reminds us that diversity, equity, and inclusion require ongoing work and self-reflection on the part of university leadership, administration, faculty, staff, and students. This work and reflection encourages us to realize our own biases, to educate ourselves and others, to challenge the norm, to address discriminatory acts and words, to speak out in support of marginalized groups, and to celebrate the differences that make our community stronger.

We are united as a community against hatred and injustice.

Recognizing the inherent human dignity of all members of the SU community, I pledge to:

• Listen to the struggles and experiences of all students, faculty, staff and community members with the goal of addressing and resolving any on campus issues related to discrimination.
• Respond to the struggles of our fellow community members with empathy, compassion, and validation.
• Educate myself about discrimination based on identity, specifically toward the Black, LatinX, Indigenous, other racial and ethnic, faith-based, disability, and LGBTQ+ minority communities.
• Encourage and participate in open, rigorous, and respectful dialogue with those with diverse perspectives and across disciplines.
• Consider what more I can do to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at Stevenson and beyond.
• Respect and honor the inherent dignity of every Stevenson community member regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, religion, social class, or disability.

Stevenson holds no place for hate, discrimination, or mistreatment in any form. The voices of our students, faculty, and staff are critical in our journey to make the Stevenson campus more equitable. By signing the Solidarity Pledge, I demonstrate my commitment to upholding these expectations for myself and the Stevenson University community.