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The conditions for blacks on campus are improving and yet in some areas stagnant, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) President Lakesha Butler, PharmD. 

Butler, clinical professor in the School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy Practice, was one of several individuals on program during the SIUE State of the Black Union, hosted by the BFSA, on Thursday, Feb. 6 in the Morris University Center. The inaugural State of the Black Union included a report of facts and figures, panel discussion, racial caucusing and one-year action plan development session. 

“The State of the Black Union is an opportunity to understand and acknowledge the challenges, to celebrate the victories and work towards greater campus transformation,” said BFSA Board Member J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership. “I am encouraged, because we are working for the betterment of SIUE, and we are doing good work.” 

“I want to thank those who had the vision for this State of the Black Union – BFSA Vice President for Staff Tarsha Moore and BFSA Board Member Dr. J.T. Snipes,” Butler said. “Additionally, I would like to thank Chancellor Randy Pembrook for genuinely supporting black faculty, staff and students at SIUE.” 

“As we have our conversation today, I want us to consider where we have come from, and where we need to go,” said Pembrook, during the welcome. “There are areas where we have made tremendous progress in the organizations that have been formed and the strategic planning that has gone on. There are situations and things in place now that are better than they were two, four or 10 years ago.” 

“I appreciate the work that is going on. Strategic planning is incredibly important. If you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t know if you have arrived,” he continued. “I also want to thank Prince Wells, Anthony Cheeseboro and Lakesha Butler for their leadership with BFSA, and I recognize what the organization has meant to the campus since I’ve been here. From your conversations today, I want to hear your concerns and figure out ways to continue making progress.” 

Snipes and Tarsha Moore, assistant director in the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI), presented “SIUE State of the Black Union,” which looked at black figures in such categories of grades, hiring and retention.  

A brief look at some statistics:

• There were 255 African Americans who earned degrees in FY18, compared to 244 in FY17
• There were 43 black faculty in FY18, with two new faculty hires, compared to three new hires in FY17
• There were 323 black staff in FY18, compared to 307 in FY17
• There were seven black executive administrators and managers in FY18, compared to three in FY17

During a panel session, problems with racial equity and challenges for fostering racial inclusion were brought to light. Participants discussed possible solutions to improve hiring practices, tackle a lack of black faculty, increase student connection with allies and boost social justice competency skills within departments.

Proposed solutions included:

• Strategic hiring for faculty and staff
• Strategic planning/transparency/accountability in professional development and advancement
• Innovation grant to incentivize the individuals doing the work
• More contact with and training of middle managers in matters of equity, inclusion and welcoming work spaces
• Mentor and develop student impact scholars
• Racial ally training

“I’m looking forward to coming back next year,” said Moore, “to see the changes and improvements that we will have made this year.” 

For a complete list of Black Heritage Month events, visit Black and Unified.  

Photos:
The SIUE Black Faculty and Staff Association hosted the inaugural State of the Black Union on Feb. 7. 

Dominic Dorsey, director of the Office of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS), leads a caucus for black students about concerns, issues and solutions. 

Bryan Jack, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Historical Studies, leads a white caucus to discuss racial equity concerns, issues and solutions.