The OIA Anti-Racism Taskforce is back again for this year after a very brief hiatus in the early summer. Our group is so excited to continue our progress this year as we work on evolving our division to become increasingly inclusive and actively anti-racist. We will continue sending a monthly newsletter for staff to alert you of events planned specifically for our OIA team, relevant opportunities at Temple, and helpful community resources and news articles.
One of our collective goals within our "Professional Development Subcommittee" is for the entire OIA team to incorporate DEI and anti-racism education into our individual and departmental professional development plans. While this surely looks different for all of us in our various roles, with the start of a new semester and a new season, it is an excellent time to think about specific areas of growth. We also know that within our diverse team in OIA, we have a considerable breadth of expertise to share so we encourage you to think about where you may be able to teach or contribute. Please connect with me via email directly (Leah.Hetzell@temple.edu) if you have any ideas for programs or any information you would like to add to the newsletter.
Thank you so much for all your hard work to support our students and advance internationalization at Temple University and beyond. As international educators and global citizens, our commitment to anti-racism and DEI efforts is needed more than ever. Your engagement with this work is truly valued and appreciated. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Special thanks to our entire Taskforce for hitting the ground running during the busiest time of the year and particularly to Casey Santos and Marena Ariffin for crafting this edition of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Leah Hetzell
Director, International Student Affairs
Resources for Supporting Afghan Refugees in Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport welcomed nearly 2,400 Afghan evacuees to the U.S. last weekend and assistance is needed in a variety of ways. Here are some ways that you can help:
3. Check out the Nationalities Services Center has a resources page.
4. Refugees.org has a page with details for “Afghanistan Allies” and offers more specific guidance for families, particularly useful if you plan to work closely with the evacuees directly.
5. “The Wardrobe” (a clothing donation center) is running a clothing drive for Afghan evacuees. Details are available here.
PA House Bill Aims to Restrict Discussions Surrounding Racism and Inequality
On June 7, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly introduced House Bill: 1532 “Teaching Racial and Universal Equality Act”. Under the proposed bill, if Temple University were to entertain a discussion on systemic race or gender discrimination, the Pennsylvania Attorney General could “order the cessation of the transfer of Commonwealth funds to the violating entity or institution for the remainder of the fiscal year and for the entirety of the next fiscal year” (page 6).
Safe Zone Trainings - September 8 (Part I) & September 23 (Part II) This 3-hour interactive workshop is designed to create dialogue around gender and sexuality inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, this session will discuss key terms, history, intersectionality, and systems that marginalize these identities. Registration required.
AAPI Faculty & Staff Meeting - Monday, September 13, 12-1pm Join the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) faculty and staff affinity group for their first general meeting of the 2021-22 academic year! The meeting will be held via Zoom (https://temple.zoom.us/j/91726332722; Meeting ID: 917 2633 2722)
Join Temple Libraries for this conversation with Glenn Ellis about Black health in America, with a focus on revealing and reframing the history of medicine in Philadelphia.
If you have questions, suggestions or would like to get involved with the OIA Anti-Racism Taskforce, please contact Leah Hetzell, Director of International Student Affairs, at Leah.Hetzell@temple.edu.
Follow us to stay connected:
Temple University International Student Affairs
Office of International Affairs 1938 Liacouras Walk, 2nd floor
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Tel: 215.204.9562
Email: intl@temple.edu
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