September 11, 2023
Conversation on Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling is Sept. 19
A “Conversation of Understanding” next week will look at the recent U.S. Supreme Court affirmative action ruling and its impact on higher education for underserved, racialized ethnic groups. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to join the live, virtual discussion at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The first of a two-part discussion, “SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling: Revisiting Race, Representation and Equity at SIU” will feature a panel of legal experts who will analyze the decision and its implications. The panelists will also discuss current efforts to revisit admission practices and reinforce SIU’s commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion. The second part of the discussion, in October, will focus on steps that can be taken to advance diversity and equity goals.
The meeting will be available on the SIU System’s YouTube channel.
A Q&A session will follow during which participants can use the YouTube comment section. Questions may be submitted before or during the event by email to doris.williams@siu.edu.
Participants will include:
- Dan Mahony, SIU System president.
- Sheila Caldwell, SIU System vice president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and chief diversity officer, who will facilitate the conversation.
- Camille Davidson, SIU School of Law dean.
- Cindy Buys, SIU School of Law professor.
- Mike Ruiz, SIU School of Law assistant dean for admissions and financial aid.
- Deborah Nelson, SIU Carbondale senior system counsel.
The Conversation of Understanding series began in June 2020 and is a series of virtual exchanges where students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members can share their experiences and thoughts on a variety of themes related to diversity, inclusion and equity. This is the first session for the 2023-24 academic year.
The SIU System President’s Office and the SIU System Diversity Advisory Council are discussion sponsors.