Racial Justice Advisory Committee

Charge

In the Summer of 2020, WMU President Edward Montgomery charged Dr. Candy McCorkle, the Vice President of Diversity Inclusion, to lead the Racial Justice Advisory Committee. RJAC was convened in fall 2020 with more than 50 members, representing every Presidential cabinet member area, as well as appointed members representing faculty, staff, students, and alumni from the Western Michigan University community.

RJAC was given the following charge:

Be a catalyst for creating a more inclusive environment and equitable structures at Western Michigan University.

Four areas of focus

Identification

Use data and anecdotal evidence
Identify areas that contribute to systemic racism and racial inequity at WMU

Accountability

Create measures of accountability

Recommendations

Identify actions
Form and prioritize recommendations, identify responsible campus stakeholders

Anchor recommendation in existing research and/or best practice

Culture of Change

Identify actions the campus community can take to support the recommendations

Identify ways to incorporate existing research and teaching

RJAC was convened in fall 2020 with more than 50 members, representing every presidential cabinet member area, as well as appointed members representing faculty, staff, students, and alumni from the Western Michigan University community.