If they are to achieve their mission, universities must aim for inclusivity and social justice. At UNL, academic advisors play a significant role in promoting curriculum and educational programs whilst advocating for the needs of our students. Recently, black college students at UNL and around the United States have begun to protest racial injustice.
The UNL Academic Advising Association wholeheartedly stands in support of the UNL students who are organizing events like the #BLACKLIVESMATTER rally and the #NotAtUNL campaign to raise concerns about racism on our own and other college campuses in the U.S. We recognize that black students and students of color face particular challenges on a predominantly white campus, and that some have experienced or witnessed first-hand microaggressions, hate-filled language, and other aspects of institutionalized racism. We wholly acknowledge the reality that such injustices thwart the mission of the university at large and, more specifically, create barriers to learning and student success.
This year the UNL Academic Advising Association annual theme is devoted to "Embracing Diversity and Social Justice in Advising” and our spring conference will incorporate student, staff, and faculty discussion of the language, daily actions, research practices, and philosophies on diversity and social justice that inform our work.
Echoing Chancellor Perlman’s statement of support as well as the Ethnic Studies faculty open letter on the UNL #BLACKLIVESMATTER rally, “collectively” we will work toward "campus-wide solidarity and support of our students as they pursue social justice at UNL”.
UNL Academic Advising Association Executive Committee