The Arts and Sciences Deans’ Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism is in the process of solidifying its membership of faculty, students and staff, according to Eva Badowska, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In an email sent for the recruitment of faculty and staff to the committee on Oct. 20, the arts and sciences deans said the committee’s purpose is to “counsel A&S Deans on matters pertaining to the A&S anti-racism and social justice agenda and its implementation.” 

Badowska said the deans received nearly 50 expressions of interest in the committee from faculty and staff, five to seven of which will serve on the committee, along with two student representatives from each arts and sciences school. This consists of students from Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH), Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and one administrative staff member from each of the four deans offices, which includes the offices for all three schools as well as the office of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. 

“In its initial period, the committee will help the Deans develop an anti-racist and social justice action plan for the short and long term,” the document reads. Another key component of the committee’s agenda is the coordination of anti-racist initiatives across academic departments and programs. 

The committee will “keep all parties informed and inspired, and liaise with the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer and the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Council,” it reads. 

A Fordham News article from Oct. 16 addresses a meeting held by the deans of arts and sciences in which they discussed the plan for the committee.

Laura Aurrichio, dean of FCLC, noted the impact of student testimonials of racism on campus through the Instagram pages of Black at Fordham and Let’s Talk About It Fordham. 

“These social media posts were a wake-up call,” she said, as quoted in the article. 

The document created for recruiting faculty and staff says those faculty and staff members selected may serve up to three years on the committee, with students serving for one year. The committee will also elect its own chair, a tenure-line faculty member, with the option of electing additional co-chairs, it reads.

Badowska said a final committee structure will be announced before the end of the semester.