The Stanford CIO Council (CIOC) and the Stanford People of Color in Technology (POC-IT) affinity group agree that Stanford IT must play an active and accountable role in addressing systemic racism at Stanford. They have released a joint statement of Solidarity and Commitment to Action that focuses on shared goals around building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive IT Community.
The statement condemns a history of discrimination and inequality against Blacks and other marginalized groups. It also puts actions around the words by introducing a plan that strengthens and expands recruitment programs, addresses factors that impede staff retention, expands leadership programs, and increases representation and opportunities for all Blacks and other people of color who come to work in the CIOC units.
Putting action behind mere words
Among other initiatives, the commitment to action includes a plan to:
- Market open positions in places where Blacks and other people of color look for jobs and opportunities
- Require representation of Blacks and other people of color on all CIOC interview panels or search committees for positions of salary grade K/L or higher within the organization
- Expand the Stanford IT Experiential Development Program (EDP) pilot to the Stanford POC-IT community
- Provide Blacks and other people of color with the opportunity to be sponsored by CIOC members to help them build the skills they need to move up the career ladder
“Recent events have put a new focus on injustice, inequality, and racism. We’re excited to partner with the CIO Council to present a plan that will lead to more equal opportunities within Stanford’s IT community, and advocates for Stanford to become a local and national leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Rodney Carter, UIT computer information systems analyst and POC-IT program lead.
Learn more
- The CIO Council (CIOC) is committed to investing in, building, and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community of technology experts at Stanford.
- POC-IT is a university-wide affinity group that works to increase the representation of Blacks and other people of color in technology roles at Stanford.
