Welcome to The University of Texas at Austin's Black Faculty Staff Association!
We serve as a unified voice to university administration about the concerns and needs of African-American faculty, staff, and students on campus. Take a look around and get to know us - we'd love to connect with you!
BFSA Exec Board response to the Universities report on the "Eyes of Texas"
The Executive Committee of the Black Faculty Staff Association is committed to fostering an environment on the UT campus that welcomes and values Black faculty and staff. We understand that as Black leaders on the Forty Acres, we have both the responsibility and privilege to support Black students, create a deep sense of belonging, and to ensure their success on campus and beyond. It is through this lens of fostering and uplifting that we make a statement on the difficult conversations taking place regarding the “Eyes of Texas”.
As Black people, we know that American history has been documented and told in ways that erase our experience, our bodies, and in many cases, the truth. We recognize the hard work that the Eyes of Texas Committee conducted to provide the Longhorn community the results of their extensive research. We recognize that the song has different interpretations and for some brings about fond memories of community and school spirit, yet it is also rooted in a racist history. This history must be acknowledged, weighted similarly to that of the report’s findings, and owned as a part of the university’s history.
BFSA is an integral part of the campus community. We are leaders, we are scholars, we are advocates and we are activists. Given the university’s stated commitment to improving diversity, equity and inclusion on campus, it is our hope that BFSA will be included in continuing conversations around the recommendations in the report, with the goal of holding the university accountable.
In solidarity,
Your BFSA Executive Committee
