26/06/2020

Following on from the GSA and YUSU statements released supporting Black Lives Matter, against institutional racism, and condemning racism and harassment in our student community, the Student Union’s host this online event to continue the conversation about race at the University of York student community.

The sabbatical team, student groups and local anti-racist groups will be conducting an open, safe, collaborative and empowering discussion so we, as part of the student community, can map out actions on how to build an anti-racist student community.

All students, particularly students from the black community, are welcomed to join the event and share their experiences and ideas. Are black students, and the wider BAME student community, represented in the student representation system at York? How does racism impact the student community? Do black students receive targeted and specialised support that understand their particular needs and experiences? How is your student experience impacted and shaped by race? Join us to map out this action plan!

The structure of the event will consist of:

1. Brief presentation from the Unions, including Union officers and student groups on anti-racist initiatives and projects, particularly this year’s ‘Diversifying and liberating York campaign’.
2. Smaller group discussions (Zoom ‘break-out’ rooms) around different thematics to reflect on how race intersects with our student experience in that particular theme: Representation, Community, Well being and Support, and Learning and Teaching.
3. A open discussion where everyone will share your views, perspectives and experiences and the main outcomes of your break-out sessions.
4. Presentation of some student/student groups and local anti-racist groups experiences.

If you would like to sign up to the event, please fill out your email address and what topic interests you most to discuss in a breakout room in this form:

For the open comments section of the event, please feel free to submit your own experiences with racism at York or any questions for the panel in advance via the form too. If you have any particular proposals to tackle racism in the students’ community and would like to represent in the discussion, please fill in the form or get in touch with Giang Nguyen, YUSU Academic Officer at academicofficer@yusu.org before Wednesday 12 noon 25.06.2020.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and contribute at the event itself.