| TO: |
Pepperdine Caruso Law Students
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| FROM: |
Dean Paul Caron
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| DATE: |
June 12, 2020
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I want to express my deep appreciation for your attendance at our recent Open Conversations held over the last two weeks. More than 300 people participated over the two events, and many of you have contacted me or the other deans and faculty members directly. You showed up, spoke out, and shared ideas on building a better future for our community.
Your voices matter, they are important, and we hear you.
Many of you have shared painful truths that we are called to face. Your testimony gives voice to the need to improve diversity at Pepperdine Caruso Law and create a better experience for our Black students and other students of color. Together with our faculty and leaders from all departments, I am implementing a plan to elevate these priorities and take action.
As I noted in my message on June 1, listening to each other is the first step. We hear you asking for:
- Increased diversity in our faculty and staff
- Increased diversity in our student body
- Institutional support for student organizations that promote inclusion
- Curriculum that addresses present-day inequities in the law
- A more inclusive and culturally competent law school community
- Increased opportunities to work for racial justice outside our law school
Our work begins at home.
As we move into the fall semester, I will announce the framework of our plan to confront racism and improve diversity and inclusion at Pepperdine Caruso Law. As a school, we are committed to addressing these concerns now and beyond the present moment. Our movement will be woven into the fabric of our community as an integral part of the experience for students, staff, and faculty; all with whom we work; and everyone we serve.
If you have not had the opportunity to do so, please review our website’s section on diversity. Chalak Richards, assistant dean for student life, diversity, and belonging, is providing resources for you to access at any time. When I announce our plan this fall semester, this page will house the details and information about how you can directly participate.
You make us better.
We have many more ideas to put into action, and we would love your help. Bring your voices to our events, share your feedback, stay in the conversation. And bring a friend. We are strongest when we work together.
As we close the books on our first fifty years as Pepperdine Law and begin our next chapter as Pepperdine Caruso Law, we will strive to give renewed meaning to the challenge set before us in Micah 6:8: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
