Leadership, Community And Values Initiative
VISION & VALUES
Why Diversity is a Core Value
Emile Pitre, Associate Vice President for the Office of Minority Affairs, recently completed the University-produced video, In Pursuit of Social Justice: An Oral History of the Early Years of Diversity Efforts at the University of Washington.
A strong desire to capture one of the defining moments in the history of the University of Washington led to my involvement in the development and production of the UWTV documentary, “In Pursuit of Social Justice.” The film centers on the May 20, 1968 takeover of President Charles Odegaard’s office by members of the UW Black Student Union and others.
Those of us involved in making the film felt it was important to document that it was the grass roots efforts of Black students and a multiethnic group of activists that led to significant changes at UW. These changes served as the impetus for transformation that opened doors of opportunity to people of color and other low-income students. It was a group of Black students and their supporters who started a transformation that continues to be a catalyst for change in curriculum, diversity of faculty and staff, climate and other areas that promote inclusiveness. A transformation that has led to the adoption of diversity as one of the six core values of this tri-campus institution.
I am pleased that our story is now recorded and will be available to be shared with students, parents, alumni, faculty, administrators and the community. View the story at UWTV.
