#ShutDownAcademia on June 25, 2020

On June 25, 2020, one month after the killing of George Floyd, we invite you to participate in our own UCCS version of #ShutDownAcademia.

Background:

This movement originally began as an initiative of STEM academics around the nation to pause “business as usual” and start practicing a lifetime of actions that are anti-racist and eliminate the perpetuation of systemic racism. It is rooted in the mission of Black Lives Matter “to struggle together, and to imagine and create a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive.” Earlier this month, many science journals, professional associations, and universities participated; and in case you missed it, we invite you to stand in solidarity in this fight with our own local version on June 25, 2020.

What does this mean?

For most, this means we “shut down for a day; build better tomorrows” with no research, no meetings, no grading, no business as usual. Instead you are making a commitment towards education, action, and healing. For others, it means continuing your social justice research, teaching, and advocacy and considering ways to apply your expertise to our UCCS community.

We hope you are compelled to pause your typical academic activities to focus on real change efforts at UCCS. To intentionally educate yourself in the ways that academics do best – with books, articles, films, podcasts, discussions, and other ways of knowing that will help you develop a clear plan of action to enact in your spaces - within your labs, studios, classrooms, committee meetings, hallways, homes, and more.

How do you prepare?

June 25th marks the day that we map out our action plans for sustained visible vigilance and accountability to eradicate anti-Black racism and other forms of injustice. Together, we can all do better. The list below is just the very beginning of the resources available. Plan now by gathering your resources and clearing your schedule for June 25th. But remember, don’t stop here. The goal is to use this day as a foundation for further action.

Brought to you in partnership with Faculty Assembly, the Office of Research, and the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Compilation of resources by #BlackLivesMatter, #ShutDownStem, and the American Society for Microbiology.