Our Progress in DEI

Dear Members of the College of Fine Arts:

Due to various reasons, our engagement this semester felt limited. My hope and intention was to provide several updates about the inclusive work that has been completed over the past academic year and engage with community members in person before the end of the year. Since that is not possible, I would like to utilize this last correspondence for the 2021-2022 academic year as a combination of updates, acknowledgements and gratitudes.

First, I would be remiss not to mention the recent tragedies of the past few weeks with the shootings in Dallas, Texas, Buffalo, N.Y., and Laguna Woods, California. I am deeply distressed by the continued violence against minoritized members of society and recognize the toll it may have on our community - whether still in the Pittsburgh area or back in your respective neighborhoods. The anti-Asian and anti-Black violence that continues to escalate across our country is unconscionable and is not reflective of the morals or values our college aspires to engage in. Should you wish to speak with someone about these or any other challenges, please seek support.

Students are encouraged to connect with Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS). They also offer an Equity, Inclusion, and Mental Health page that highlights self-care resources specific to the BIPOC community. CaPS COPE services are also open to all faculty and staff who may need help navigating topics that may feel emotionally distressing. Please feel encouraged to utilize these resources.

Although things may seem discouraging, I want to share how encouraged I feel by the incredible efforts of our community. After working very closely with members across all five schools and the university, I can confidently say we have members who strive for inclusive excellence. For this partnership and your efforts, I thank you.

The diligent work of the DEI Committees at each respective school have collectively resulted in new programs, new initiatives, new hires, and curriculum shifts. The respective staff of BXA, Miller ICA, and the STUDIO have created new processes to foster inclusive and accessible resources for our community. MAM is now working more closely with our dean’s suite to improve our collaborative efforts. As a result of the great work of many members within CFA and the All-Gender Restroom Committee, two restrooms in CFA (CFA M107 and CFA 365) have been converted to all-gender restrooms. These single-user all-gender restrooms are equipped with changing tables, locks, menstrual product dispensers and disposal receptacles, and new signage. Lastly, the College of Fine Arts Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, composed of members from across the college, have completed phase 1 of our DEI Strategic Plan - a charge from President Jahanian for all colleges to submit. This plan, along with the previously mentioned successes, will be shared in draft form during our inaugural Professional Development Retreat, August 2022. The Professional Development Retreat will offer faculty and staff from across CFA an opportunity to commune and learn some of the best practices in inclusive education. This retreat will follow the inaugural Leadership Retreat, where all members of the dean’s suite, Heads and Associate Heads, as well as select community members will engage in inclusive leadership and management development.

At these two retreats, I will offer updates on specific projects and initiatives the university, college and I have been working on. Once school commences, I will hold sessions for the student body to update them on the status of the aforementioned, as well as a synopsis of the retreats.

As I have mentioned in previous messages to the College, diversity, equity and inclusion work is an iterative process. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging for all members – not just the minoritized, but for everyone. This is work that requires social responsibility and a collective effort so each member feels holistically experienced and valued. Your voices matter. Your presence matters. Change is inevitable, therefore it is not the destination; it is the vehicle we use to arrive at our destination - inclusion. We have work to do and my expectation is we do this work together. With new ways of engaging with one another and the return of in-person engagement, maskless activity, and new and returning programs, the new year is promising!

Again, I want to thank all the staff and faculty who engaged with me, supported our students, and ensured a successful academic year. Thank you to the students who held us accountable and demanded we be intentional in the direction change takes us.

Congratulations to the graduating class! You did it! I am so proud of your stellar accomplishments during an unprecedented time. You all are rockstars!

To the returning students, please continue to share your stories and hold us accountable. You have support. While it may not always feel that way, I promise you there are people here who strive to see you succeed.

The College of Fine Arts will continue to move forward in our inclusion efforts. We have made progress and will continue to do so. Do not lose hope and please take care of yourselves.

Wishing you all a restorative season.

In community,

Valeria J. Martinez
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
College of Fine Arts