A coalition of students release a list of demands titled “Student Community Statement: 8 Demands for Transformative Change,” which called for a number of actions to make the campus more supportive of Black and Indigenous students of color.

“UT must now act on this public commitment by taking an active role and listening to students. Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) student leaders should be at the forefront of these conversations.”—the statement reads.

To answer the outpouring of requests from colleagues on how to better support the university’s Black community, Leonard Moore, then vice president for diversity and community engagement and George Littlefield Professor of American History, offered his History of the Black Experience course online at no cost throughout the months of July and August. More than 1,700 faculty and staff participated in the course.

In July 2020, UT Austin President Jay Hartzell announces a series of actions to promote diversity, inclusion and equity and to more fully support Black students on campus.

“During the past month, I have listened to scores of students. I went into these conversations understanding that UT has worked hard to become a more diverse and welcoming place. I came out of them realizing there is still more work to do — and this starts and ends by creating an environment in which students are fully supported before, during and after their time at UT.”—Jay Hartzell, UT Austin President

Under the leadership of Vice Provost for Diversity Ted Gordon, the Provost Office launched a new Early Career Fellowship Program, bringing in 26 postdoctoral researchers who are all working to bridge systemic inequities in areas such as public health, education, housing and more. The new program was created in an effort to recruit, develop and retain world-class faculty members who bring more diversity to the university’s research and teaching missions.

As part of the series of actions announced by President Jay Hartzell in July 2020, the university allocated a multimillion-dollar investment from UT Athletics’ revenue to worthy university programs, including student outreach and recruitment efforts that impact students from underrepresented communities in Dallas, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley. The Youth Engagement Center (pictured here) is one of several programs to receive $1 million in university funding.

A statue honoring Julius Whittier, UT’s first Black football letterman, was unveiled in the north end of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 27.

“We celebrate Julius Wittier today for his pioneering role as Texas Football’s first Black letterman, his academic pedigree and his professional achievements.”—President Hartzell stated in a tweet.

Several university leaders including President Jay Hartzell and Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. LaToya Smith participated in the ‘State of Black UT,‘ a three-day event hosted by the Black Studies Collective that explored the work UT has done, is doing and needs to do to create an inclusive campus.

In partnership with Texas Athletics, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) launched the LEAD Initiative to engage student-athletes in philanthropic work with nonprofits across the state that serve underrepresented populations. This new initiative was made possible by the university’s multimillion-dollar investment from UT Athletics’ revenue to worthy university programs.

On July 15, Landmarks, the university’s public art collection and program, unveiled Sentinel IV at the renovated site of the former Anna Hiss Gymnasium. The sculpture is the first work of public art by a Black woman artist to be acquired by Landmarks, and it is also the first on our university campus.

“Simone Leigh’s sculpture is an offering that can begin conversations. I hope it promotes a space where various histories can be told, and different voices can be heard.”—Andrée Bober, Landmarks founding director and curator

The university’s Center for Community Engagement opens the new John S. and Drucie R. Chase Building to the public—offering a host of university resources (grant writing, community advocacy and more) to the Austin community. Located in the historic Robertson Hill neighborhood in East Austin, the building was designed by Texas’ first licensed Black architect—and UT’s first Black School of Architecture graduate—John. S. Chase. University and community leaders will celebrate the grand opening at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 23.