Oakton Community College pledges to take steps to end racism on campus
After months of discussions, Oakton Community College in Des Plaines has pledged to eliminate racism and other types of oppression on campus by changing policies and classroom lessons, among other steps.
The one-paragraph declaration reads: "Oakton is an anti-racist, inclusive, transparent institution; invested in and accountable to the communities we serve. We are committed to transforming all curricula, policies, structures and practices to dismantle and eliminate racism and other forms of oppression so all members of our community thrive. Through reflection, empowerment, and accountability to anti-racist people of color, we model the socially just and equitable transformation that we want to see in the world."
The Oakton board approved the statement Tuesday night. It's part of ongoing efforts at the college to advance equity and racial justice, a memo indicates.
The project was inspired by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, which has encouraged community colleges across the state to consider adopting such proclamations, Oakton spokesman Stephen Butera said.
After discussing the issue in December and January, the board handed the task of developing a statement to an employee group dedicated to fighting racism, Butera said.
"We believe adopting an official anti-racism statement will ultimately assist Oakton in progressing toward improving equity and racial justice," he said.
Advancing racial justice will be a priority in Oakton's next strategic plan, which now is being developed, Butera said.
One goal of that plan, Butera said, will be to remove barriers to education for students from historically minoritized groups.
Elsewhere in the suburbs, Elgin Community College adopted an equity statement in 2019 that, in part, says the college "believes intentional and meaningful inclusion of diverse experiences, backgrounds, and social identities in all aspects of the institution is a moral imperative which deepens and enriches the educational and workplace experience for everyone."
The Grayslake-based College of Lake County is developing a statement, a spokeswoman said. It already has statements on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Harper College in Palatine doesn't have a formal anti-racism statement, but it does have official stances on diversity and equity as well as social justice programs for students and employees, a spokeswoman said.
The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn implemented an equity plan in 2019 to ensure equitable access to teaching and learning.