June 26, 2020 

In the coming weeks, we will be meeting with administration to present our suggestions. Sign this petition to let administration know that you stand with us! 

June 16, 2020

On June 10th, Father Leahy released a statement to the Boston College community affirming and acknowledging that Black Lives Matter. In this statement, he also outlined the structure for combating racism on campus. His actions do not go unnoticed, this is a great step in the right direction. As student leaders, we would like to accept his offer of providing advice and support in the creation of the Forum and related initiatives. In response, we have created a few suggestions we believe are essential first steps to making Boston College the inclusive, equitable, and just community we all know it can be. We hope the administration will strongly consider and support each proposal. 

In addition to the initiatives established by the administration, it is essential that student voices are heard throughout the process. Below is the aforementioned list of collective suggestions — with specific recommendations of ways in which they can be met by the administration.

We call for the incorporation of Black student leaders into the process of planning the “Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America” to serve as advocates for the students they represent. The diversity, represented by Dean Vincent Rougeau and supporting administrators, would be enhanced by a partnership with students who can provide key insights into the Black experience at Boston College. This incorporation, across varying interest groups, will serve as a critical bridge between scholarship, policy, and practice which will result in research-based solutions and initiatives.

Additionally, based on the current allocation to similar student formation programs, we want clear and transparent metrics regarding an institutional commitment to the Forum. Furthermore, we expect the Forum to remain a top priority in funding in the coming years. 

We call for a complete reconstruction of the cultural diversity core requirement, which mandates a class on racial bias, prejudice, and privilege. As is, the core requirement can be fulfilled by a number of classes considered inadequate in educating and providing an analysis of cultural identity and difference. Those who graduate from Boston College and lack the proper understanding of implicit bias, systemic racism, and privilege, are done a disservice. The vocation of being “women and men for and with others” cannot be completed with the current system in place.

We call on Boston College to punish all hate crimes and bias-related incidents that involve Boston College students in accordance with its own Discriminatory Harassment Policy as well as Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA. Furthermore, we call on the university to amend its Discriminatory Harassment Policy—which has not been updated since 2012—to reflect a zero-tolerance stance towards discrimination. Currently, sanctions for hate crimes and bias-related instances can include a letter of warning or a letter of reprimand. This remains the case even if it is determined that “discriminatory harassment has occurred.” These sanctions are insufficient for hate crimes, and therefore, must be amended to fit the harm caused. 

Additionally, we call on Boston College to advocate for social movements created by students. This begins with amending the policy regarding approval and support of demonstrations. In the past, Boston College has been quicker to sanction and/or punish organizers of peaceful demonstrations rather than the perpetrators of hate crimes. The truth of the matter is that some cases cannot wait to be protested. 

We call for the establishment of a working committee of administrators and students of the AHANA+ community that will meet on a consistent basis to ensure collaboration and continual progress made in regards to racial justice on campus. 

We call on Boston College to launch an external review of the Boston College Police Department and to end its contracts with every city and state police force. Additionally, it is essential to critically analyze how BCPD’s presence in Boston aligns with our values at Boston College.

Other universities have acknowledged their role in police violence and pledged to address it. On May 27th, the University of Minnesota announced it would cut ties with the Minneapolis Police Department. On June 10th, Berklee College of Music announced that it will no longer allow the Boston Police Department to use its facilities. It is time for Boston College to follow suit.

We believe the commitments outlined in Father Leahy’s letter, as well as our suggestions calling for student input and transparency, will allow for racial justice on and off campus. These initiatives create opportunities across the curriculum for students and faculty to engage in the scholarly exploration of racism, white supremacy, and imperialism through a range of disciplinary perspectives. They will also give marginalized community members a seat at the table to engage substantively, meaningfully, and sustainably with these issues. The aforementioned will not only improve Boston College for Black students, but for all who call the Heights home.

Signed by, 

African Student Organization 

BEATS

Black Student Forum

Cape Verdean Student Association

Caribbean Culture Club

Dominican Association of Boston College

FACES

F.I.S.T.S.

Haitian Association

PATU

Sexual Chocolate

United Front