I am writing this message to you out of love and concern. I am a Badger Engineer and I have a lot of love for the College of Engineering, my classmates, and my educators. I am a black Badger so my time at UW-Madison has been very difficult at times because of the color of my skin. I would like to leave this school to be a better place for black students. The University needs to make serious changes to show a commitment to effective change on campus. Time and time again, you have asked black students to come forward and report instances of racism. Racism at UW-Madison is not just an individual problem; it is in fact institutional. 

UWPD is funded by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In order to keep black Badgers safe, I urge you to:

• suspend the use of paid administrative leave for cops under investigation. If the officer is exonerated through an independent investigation, pay leave retroactively. Access to paid administrative leave lessens the consequences of use of force, and presumes the right of police to use violence at all
• withhold pensions and don’t rehire cops involved in excessive force. It reduces the ability of police forces to move around or re-engage cops known for their use of violence 
• require cops to be liable for misconduct settlements. It creates pressure for police to be accountable for their actions, at least financially, and limits legitimacy of police violence as inevitable
• withdraw participation in police militarization programs. Weapons training and expos are used to scale up policing, military-style action under the guide of increasing safety. 

In order to better support black students on campus, I urge you to: 

• increase funding towards the Multicultural Student Center, The Black Cultural Center, and other organizations and resources on campus that benefit black students.
• increase hiring of black faculty. Black students are more likely to succeed in college when they are taught by black professors. 
• Develop new metrics for success. Stop using only numeral diversity in admissions or graduation rates as the primary metrics for progress. Instead, put a greater focus on the racial climate on campus and student feelings of belonging and attachment to the institution. 
• include anti-racist narratives in the curricula of all students and training for all faculty. The Wisconsin Idea has taught me that education should be more than about just one's self. UW-Madison has the opportunity to denounce white supremacy campus-wide through training. I recognize that not everyone arrives to this campus with the tools/knowledge to be anti-racist. As the institution, it is your role to step in and create an environment where black people can feel safe.
• Hold staff and tenured professors accountable. If a student comes forward who has experience racism, respond promptly and take action.