UC launches Space Research Institute
March 5, 2021
The University of Cincinnati has launched the interdisciplinary Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration as part of Research2030, UC’s 10-year strategic plan for research.
Dear members of the University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences family,
Since March our lives have been dramatically changed. The coronavirus first, the economic crisis that ensued and finally the protests that denounce the repeated abuse of Black American citizens have laid bare the structural and systemic injustices that continue to impede our progress as a nation; a nation whose foundational motto, e pluribus unum, suggests the melding of the many into a unity where freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are open to all.
Significantly, each of these crises has shown that systemic injustice continues to target certain populations. Though the coronavirus does not choose sides, rates of contagion and access to care mean death rates have disproportionately affected minorities and racial or ethnic groups. Similarly, the economic downturn has had a much broader and deleterious impact on underrepresented communities. Finally, vividly exposed by media and alert citizens, the abuses and killings perpetrated by the police and vigilantes at the expense of Black bodies have laid bare how far we are from achieving the goal of a just society.
Until now, the College of Arts and Sciences had yet to release a statement on these matters, even as we witnessed indignation in the days following the death of George Floyd and the protests that ensued. Though some did not understand why, we chose to remain silent, because it was important to pause, listen, reflect and make concrete plans for how we must be and do better. Statements that are not supported by concrete plans for action risk being performative and do not contribute to the mission of creating an anti-racist, inclusive community, especially when there are many in our college and university whose experiences belie such statements.
Dean Valerio Ferme, University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences
Today, we publicly express the college's commitment to anti-racist practices. We do so cognizant that we are not better than others; instead we acknowledge our shortcomings and want to use our past failures as motivation to advance our mission and vision as a truly inclusive community. The time is past when we assuaged our consciences by hiring and enrolling quotas of underrepresented group X, Y and Z. Though well-meaning and well-intentioned, we have not been inclusive. We have expected our faculty, staff and students of color to speak their truths and for their truths, while saddling them with being the standard-bearers for entire ethnic, gendered and disability nations.
We want to recommit ourselves to laying bare the foundations upon which much of the systemic unfairness of our social and cultural practices rests. This is heavy lifting that cannot be done only by repeating the things we have done before, just in greater quantity. It is not, nor can it only be about how many diverse faculty, staff and students enter our college and about how much money we throw at the "problem."
It has to be about how, when underrepresented colleagues join us, we make them know that their cultures, emotions, histories, societies are ours too: for sure, African-American culture, history, and literature should be taught in specific courses; yet, all cultures, histories, and literatures gain in depth, empathy, and understanding when studied from the viewpoint of Black experience. Similarly, we cannot hide behind the factual perception that certain scientific fields are immune from the vagaries of race, because a race perspective can inform how privilege determines the origins of our investigations.
Dr. Littisha Bates, Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Partnerships, University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences
Our work began when the college made the commitment to hire of our first associate dean for inclusive excellence and community partnership, Littisha A. Bates, even before the current crises enveloped our country. At that time, we also asked all units in the college to discuss, explore, and summarize what inclusive excellence means for them. These are cornerstones, upon which we will edify our building, a building that, incidentally, already has some bricks in place, as detailed below. These efforts mark the beginning of the strategic planning, goal setting and action for the college which we initiated this year. In addition, we have added more action items directly inspired by the listening sessions held with A&S faculty and staff over the past weeks. We publicly share them in an effort to keep us honest and accountable.
We are committed to being an anti-racist, just college where we all are heard, feel safe and valued while being collectively accountable for our culture.
March 5, 2021
The University of Cincinnati has launched the interdisciplinary Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration as part of Research2030, UC’s 10-year strategic plan for research.
March 4, 2021
It was a true Cinderella story. Competing for the first time in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, the University of Cincinnati beat out 36 other teams to win the 25th annual APPE competition. UC bested teams from Stanford University, Northwestern University and West Point, among others. “Shock, delight and pride,” Daniel Mattox, team coach and graduate instructor in philosophy, described his reaction. “It was unexpected that we kept winning, but I was delighted by the team’s efforts. They are so utterly brilliant and hard-working, and I’m so proud of everything they accomplished.” Organized by the UC College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Philosophy, the team qualified for the national competition in the Central State regionals last November. Participants on the UC team included Emma Duhamel, Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies major; Dom Duponty, Philosophy and Chemistry major; and Caitlin Powell, Philosophy and Spanish major.
March 2, 2021
Event: March 23, 2021 7:00 PM
Attend a virtual reading by Pulitzer-prize winning poet Tyehimba Jess. He joins UC as the March 2021 poet-in-residence for the Department of English.