Gerontology Program Racial Justice Statement
October 26, 2020
The Gerontology Program at the University of North Carolina Charlotte recognizes that systemic racism is a very real threat to the well-being of all age groups. We recognize that the cumulative effect of a lifetime of daily systemic racism results in daily microaggressions, reduced economic security, greater threats to mental and physical health, violence, and a distrust of institutional resources, among other things.
The Gerontology Program acknowledges its complicity in systemic racism and is working to understand and address this on an institutional level.
As an interdisciplinary program, we commit to the inclusion of diverse voices in all conversations related to student and faculty well-being, curricular decisions, and community partnerships. Here are a list of the steps we have already begun to take to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for ALL of our Gerontology students:
1. We have submitted curricular changes which include centering our Minorities and Aging Course in the primary minor electives. Once approved, this will go into effect Fall Semester 2021.
2. We have submitted curricular changes which will reframe and rename our foundational graduate course in the certificate program. Current Issues in Gerontology will become Current Issues in the Diverse Experiences of Aging and will use an intersectional lens. This course is taught annually and will be available Spring Semester 2022.
3. While we have long standing relationships with various community agencies, many of whom serve largely racially diverse older adult populations, our partnerships with these agencies can be tenuous in difficult economic times. COVID, in particular, has resulted in differential access to our experiential learning across community partners. We have received a grant for technology funding through the CARES Act as a way to bring all of our community partners back into full participation.
4. We are committed to increasing student diversity within our programs.
5. We are committed to recruiting a diverse affiliate faculty to teach and mentor our students.
Through these efforts and continued focus on and response to our programmatic complicity, we aim to create a space where all students, faculty, and community partners can feel safe, valued, and welcomed in their relationship with UNC Charlotte Gerontology.
On behalf of the Gerontology Program Executive Committee.
Please direct questions to Dr. Cynthia Hancock, Gerontology Program Director.