Dear Father Poorman, Provost Medina, and Assistant Provost Contreras,
Within the span of three weeks, three women of color at upper ranks at the University of Portland have resigned, including the only woman of color on the President’s Leadership Cabinet. Given the stated commitment to antiracism in the June 12, 2020 email the three of you addressed to the University Community, and the Board of Regents’ ongoing investigation into allegations of racism, sexism, and tokenism in UP’s upper administration, we feel that the manifestation of this commitment requires urgent attention as it relates to University leadership. The Holy Cross mission refers to the ubiquity of “networks of privilege, prejudice, and power” and emphasizes that “disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act.” We are at a critical juncture at University of Portland, and appropriate action is imperative.
In addition to bringing unique perspectives into university decision-making, the inclusion of women of color at high levels of administrative power promotes an atmosphere of inclusivity for faculty, staff, and students of all identities. We have confidence that you recognize this, given the July 17, 2020 response from Fr. Poorman and select members of the President’s Leadership Cabinet to the QTBIPOC student petition, which noted, “we acknowledge the particular value of ensuring that the University’s leaders reflect a wide array of perspectives and backgrounds.” We appreciate how this sentiment falls in line with the University’s Objective D in Vision 2020, to “infuse our entire community with a sense of internationalization and diversity.” Human Resources and Institutional Research especially require directors who have demonstrated a commitment to equity and intersectional justice in order to improve our recruitment, retention, and reparation efforts at UP.
Community members of both historically privileged and historically marginalized identities see women of color in distinguished positions as proof that University of Portland values diverse perspectives across disciplines. The combined abrupt departures of Sandy Chung, J.D., Liz Lee, Ph.D., and Trang Lam sent a dispiriting signal to the University community about the value the University places on inclusivity as a whole as well as the quality of the administration’s decision-making going forward.
We call on University leadership to prioritize its commitment to antiracism through recruiting and hiring women of color who are devoted to equity and inclusion into roles with real institutional power. The now-vacant positions of Vice President for Human Resources, Vice President for Financial Affairs, Director of Institutional Research, and Associate Vice President of Land Use and Planning present prime opportunities. It would be appropriate to apply an equity lens that draws on both professional and lived experiences. We hope that in addition to hiring women of color, the University leadership takes tangible steps to prepare itself to be a welcoming community for these new hires. As Fr. Poorman and others acknowledged in their response to the QTBIPOC student petition this summer, “diversity isn’t worth much unless the voices of diverse leaders are heard and valued.” Additionally, we believe that Ms. Chung’s departure presents an opportunity to finally disentangle Human Resources from Title IX, which is an obvious conflict of interest in terms of whom each office is designed to serve. We reiterate prior calls for the establishment of a separate Title IX committee headed by an individual without primary obligations to the Office of Human Resources.
As the three of you asserted on June 12, we need intentionality and full community buy-in to live out our ideals. You observed that to do anything less than committing to the cause of anti-racism “would be to shirk our responsibilities and betray our calling as people of faith.” We are confident that you meant these words as a guide for University actions rather than as mere platitudes. We assert the urgency of recruiting, hiring, and retaining women of color with a stated commitment to and record of equity and inclusion at the upper ranks of the University as a necessary step towards fulfilling the University of Portland’s commitment to antiracism outlined by Fr. Poorman over the last year.
Yours sincerely,
Shelby Covington, Staff and Alum
Louisa Egan Brad, Faculty
Laurie Dizney, Faculty
Anna Van Winkle, Alumnus/Alumna
Bobbi Zaman, Faculty
Jane Scott, Faculty, Parent of a student/Alum
Jenna Sulecki, Current Student
Paris Schaefer, Staff
Rachel Wheeler, Faculty
Alex Robbins, Staff and Alum
Alejandro Santana, Faculty
Vail Fletcher, Faculty
Logan M. Ridenour-Starnes, Current Student
Olivia Bormann, Staff
Hannah Harrison, Current Student
Deirdre Katz, Faculty
Terence Favero, Faculty
Kelly Brown, Staff and Alum
Heather Carpenter, Faculty
Dr. Lauren Alfrey, Faculty
Giannina Reyes-Giardiello, Faculty
Mikelle Kelly, Current Student
Sarina Saturn, Faculty
Tshombé Brown, Staff
September Nelson, Faculty and Alum
Emanuel Costache, Staff, Current Student
Renee Crowgey, Faculty
Sam Barrett, Current Student
Natalie Davis, Current Student
Marileisi Castillo, Current Student
Mellanie Muller, Staff and Alum
Betelhem Kefle, Current Student
Camryn Hughes, Current Student
Elena Roberts, Alumnus/Alumna
Rachel Hu, Current Student
Kathryn Lampe, Current Student
Gabby Mota, Current Student
Dulce Sanabria Garcia, Current Student
Elizabeth Chvilicek, Current Student
Aishani Saha, Current Student
Chantal Hummel, Current Student
Lily Bosaz, Current Student
Destiny Kramer, Current Student
Devonna Begay, Current Student
Natalie Goodpaster, Current Student
Kathryn DeVries, Current Student
Bibiana, Current Student
Rebekah Nishida, Other
Cindy Garibay, Current Student
Megan Breen, Current Student
Gabriela Hernandez Duran, Current Student
Ruby Bailey Farnsworth, Other
Samantha Hamilton, Current Student
Adeline Paguirigan, Current Student
Sarina Klein, Alumnus/Alumna
Liz Frick, Current Student
Chelle Plaisted, Alumnus/Alumna
Christine Burchinal, Current Student
Elizabeth Ekhause, Current Student
Jenna Janke, Current Student
Ariadna Hernandez Santos, Other
Alyssa Jensen, Current Student
Rebecca Cole, Current Student
Olivia Zilavy Pailthorp, Current Student
Simrin Singh, Current Student
Emily Hosoume, Current Student
Brooke Niemer, Current Student
Tori Zottarelli, Current Student
Emily May, Current Student
Taylor Gonser, Current Student
Isaiah Datu Saluta, Current Student
Jazryn Nagum, Current Student
Sydney Livingston, Current Student
Meg, Current Student
Quinn McCray, Alumnus/Alumna
Andrea Angeles, Current Student
Prarthna Chona, Current Student
Carlene Beaton, Current Student
Kali Tagomori-Lai, Current Student
Hana Minaee, Current Student
Madison McLaughlin, Current Student
Erica Bailey, Faculty and Alum
Meghan Powers, Current Student
Jennifer Fitz, Current Student
Brooke Welter, Current Student
Lexi Turner, Current Student
Mary Markham, Staff, Current Student
Taylor Cole, Current Student
Siena Di Sera, Current Student
Haley Tuckner, Other
Hannah Pickens, Current Student
Grace Carossino, Current Student
Eileen Ryan, Current Student
Megan Lacy, Current Student
Maggie Loft, Current Student
Elli Souza, Current Student
Madeline Barker, Current Student
Hana Ferris, Current Student
Madeline Lopez, Current Student
Jacob Ortiz, Current Student
Sophie Downing, Current Student
Lindsey Smith, Current Student
Anna Yrjanson, Current Student
Hazel Drymon, Current Student
Grace Wallace, Current Student
Erin Currie, Faculty
Nathan Rhodes, Current Student
Whitney Botsford, Current Student
Quincy Jackson, Other
Natalie Chapman, Current Student
Megan Meckey, Current Student
Margaret Blommer, Current Student
Olivia Nomura, Current Student
Sydney Gardner, Current Student
Liset Morales, Other
Jaclyn Wataoka, Current Student
Joshua Swidzinski, Faculty
Jeffrey Meiser, Faculty
Dave Turnbloom, Faculty, Current Student
Lauren Berger, Ph.D., Faculty
Juyoung Choi, Other
Liam McDonough, Current Student
Callahan Shelley, Current Student
Courtney Campbell, Other
Nhatalya Pagtakhan, Current Student
Mary Clyde, Current Student
Taryn Ligot, Current Student
Elizabeth Guarino, Current Student
Mia Lindsay, Current Student
Mauricio Paz, Current Student
Jenna Brandt, Current Student
Kate Harder, Current Student
Mary Kate Machi, Current Student
Kristin Sweeney, Faculty
Norah Martin, Faculty
Will Oliver, Current Student
Maria Spong, Current Student
Sage DeFreitas, Current Student
Rebecca Ly, Current Student
Elli VanBrabant, Current Student
Rachel, Current Student
Emma Riedel, Current Student
Anna Wood-Gaines, Alumnus/Alumna
Gregory Hill, Faculty
Camille Vezinet, Current Student
Kaitlyn Bakkensen, Current Student
Bailey Davis, Current Student
Phuocan Nguyen, Current Student
Ben Mattern, Current Student
Bryan Dennis, Staff
Sam Winston, Current Student
Drew Gibson, Current Student
Sara Lindorfer, Current Student
Callie Hogan, Alumnus/Alumna
Alondra, Other
Sophia Litterski, Current Student
Connor Heffernan, Current Student
Nancy Seamount, Parent of a student/Alum
Soleia Quinn, Current Student
Halina Wyss, Faculty and Alum
Alice Gates, Faculty
José Velazco, Staff
Mary Seamount, Other
Monisha Gonzales, Other
Holly Barrett, Other
Christin Hancock, Faculty
TriQuang Nguyen, Current Student
Rosie Riley, Current Student
Daniela N Perez Vargas, Current Student
Jen Symons, Ph.D., Faculty
Jen Lovejoy, Faculty
Hunter Coward, Staff
Philip Vue, Faculty
Emily Bonney, Staff
Lyndsy Manz, Staff
Natalie Nelson-Marsh, Faculty
Tyler Wagner, Staff, Current Student
Ian Parkman, Faculty
Hannah Highlander, Faculty
Stephanie Michel, Faculty
Anne Rasmussen, Staff
Hans E Nordstrom, Ph.D., Faculty
Andrew Eshleman, Faculty
Sally Burnside, Staff
Christopher Lee, Faculty
Sarah Sterner, Faculty
Tara Prestholdt, Faculty
Brad Franco, Faculty
Heather N. Lubay, Faculty
Christie Engesser Cesar, Faculty
Katie Richardson, Staff
Matthew Daily, Staff, Current Student
Deana Julka, Faculty
Andrew Downs, Faculty
Abigail Van Vleet, Staff, Current Student, and Alumnus/Alumna
Carolyn James, Faculty
Katie O'Reilly, Faculty
John White, Faculty
Genevieve Brassard, Faculty
Anne Pitsch Santiago, Faculty
David De Lyser, Faculty, Alum, and Current/Former student parent
Heidi Senior, Faculty
Susan McDaniel, Faculty
Craig Swinyard, Faculty and Alum
Joseph Hoffbeck, Faculty
Chris Hallstrom, Faculty
Gregory Pulver, Faculty
Niki Schulz, Faculty
Laurie Laird, Staff
Susan Murray, Faculty
Nick Kanno, Current Student
Raphaelle LeBlanc, Current Student
Carlos Fuentes, Current Student
Susan Bonde, Faculty, Staff
Audrey Fancher, Staff
Amanda Hernandez Michalski, Alumnus/Alumna
Lucía López, Current Student
Suzie Wyss, Staff
Salvador Orara, Faculty, Staff
Katie Danielson, Faculty
Laurie Tull, Staff
Bonnie Parks, Faculty
Molly Hiro, Faculty
Elizabeth Jones, Staff
Amber Vermeesch, Faculty
Rebekah Hanson, Faculty
Jeannie Songer, Alumnus/Alumna
Kathy Briggs, Faculty
Nicole Leupp Hanig, Faculty
Kowkie Durst, Faculty
Janet Banks, Faculty, Alum, and Current/Former student parent
Anita R. Gooding, Faculty
Michael R Prendergast, Faculty
Peytynn Kubo, Current Student
Angelica S, Current Student
Nina Jensen, Current Student
Matthew Wallace, Staff
Ryan Kenton, Faculty
Tammy VanDeGrift, Faculty
Sam Holloway, Faculty
Enzo Alfonso, Current Student
John Haek, Faculty
Dr. Lezlie Cross, Faculty
Tim Doughty, Faculty
Teresa Do, Current Student
Patrick Murphy, Faculty
Elisa Majors, Staff
Jon Stanfill, Faculty
Kevin Jones, Faculty
Elizabeth Aguilera, Staff
Christina Chrestatos, Staff
Mathew R Kuhn, Faculty
Andrew Nuxoll, Faculty
Andrew John Wardenaar, Faculty and Alum
Jared Rees, Staff
Sophie E Charles, Staff
Sarah Maines, Faculty
Christine Weilhoefer, Faculty
Leslie Tjia, Current Student
Montana Hisel-Cochran, Faculty
Laura Dyer, Faculty
Grace Adam, Current Student
Blair Woodard, Faculty
Maria Echenique Ph.D., Faculty
Alexa Dare, Faculty
Sharon Delcambre, Faculty
Corey Pressman, Faculty
Sarah Nuxoll, Staff, Current Student
Emma Castillo-Gonzalez, Current Student
Christina Ivler, Faculty
Clayton Hartmann, Staff
Isabel Velez Alumnus/Alumna
Diane Sotak, Faculty
Lizz Schallert, Faculty
Amanda Kobayashi, Current Student
Shawn Records, Faculty
Shaz Vijlee, Faculty
Cheyenne Magno, Current Student
Lars Larson, Faculty
Paula A. Tower, Faculty
Casandra Esparza, Staff and Alum
Andrew Guest, Faculty
Maureen Briare, Faculty, Alum, and Current/Former student parent
Beatriz Itzel Cruz Megchun, Faculty
Jeff Gauthier, Faculty
Jakob Kotas, Faculty
Maya Sellier, Current Student
Carol Dempsey, Faculty
Sharif Morton, Current Student
Brian Els, Faculty
Caery Evangelist, Faculty
Molly Johnson, Alumnus/Alumna
Amelia J. Ahern-Rindell, Faculty
Amanda Richter, Alumnus/Alumna
Suz Barratt, Alumnus/Alumna
Jeff Brown, Staff
Deborah Macey, Faculty
Brian Guerrero, Faculty and Alum
Dann L. Pierce, Faculty
Nicole Bestard, Alumnus/Alumna
Bruce Conkle, Faculty
Katie Scally, Alumnus/Alumna
Kimberly Rishe, Alumnus/Alumna, Other
Amanda Perez, Alumnus/Alumna
Kelsey Robison, Alumnus/Alumna
Gilbert Resendez, Alumnus/Alumna
Meme Ranken, Alumnus/Alumna
Georgia Arnautou, Alumnus/Alumna
Hannah townsend, Alumnus/Alumna
Steve Mayer, Faculty, Parent of a student/Alum
Regan Murphy, Alumnus/Alumna
Bohn D Lattin, Faculty
Jeff Kerssen-Griep, Faculty
Chloé Tanega, Alumnus/Alumna
Paige Hall, Faculty
Monica Perez, Alumnus/Alumna
Colleen McCormixk, Alumnus/Alumna
Jarid Rother, Alumnus/Alumna
Isabelle Soule, Faculty
Matthew Warshawsky, Faculty
Eli Goldwyn, Faculty
Amy Beadles-Bohling, Faculty
Sabrina Legaspi, Alumnus/Alumna
Jessica Montoya, Alumnus/Alumna
Carolina Cortes, Current Student
Zach Simmons, Faculty
Tiffany Ng, Current Student
Bryan Rookey, Faculty
Tate Harris, Current Student
Eric Anctil, Faculty
William Barnes, Faculty
Jim Axling, Staff, Alum, Parent of a student/Alum
Kourtney Nelson, Alumnus/Alumna
V. Dakshina Murty, Faculty
Elaika Celemen, Alumnus/Alumna
Alyssa Cole, Alumnus/Alumna
Jessica Murphy Moo, Staff
Don Norton, Faculty
Gordon Williamson, Faculty
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