Responding to #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM

To the deans and department heads:

I’m writing to make sure you aware of the nationwide #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM day planned for this Wednesday, June 10, to enable education, action, and healing on racism and other forms of injustice.

The Institute and I are supportive of this effort. I encourage you to consider taking part in ways that work within your unit. We are hopeful that this day will allow transparent conversations about racial bias that contribute to meaningful action.

More information about #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM is available on the organizing website, along with resources and a guide for taking part. Some units across MIT have already been planning activities for Wednesday (Chemistry is an example).

You will be hearing more in days ahead about how the Institute as a whole is approaching action on racism, inclusion, and healing. We will count on all of you to take part in that effort, and Wednesday’s action is one way to start.

Marty

Martin A. Schmidt, Provost