The College of Arts and Sciences will host a Diversity Day in the Birmingham Central Room of the Bryant Conference Center Monday, Nov. 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The symposium, which is themed “Why Diversity Matters,” is open to students and faculty of all disciplines. Those who are interested can register at https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_encJEBeXBSv1shv.
In addition to a workshop and two roundtable discussions, the symposium will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. G. Christine Taylor, the vice president and associate provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as three research presentations from faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Ellen Spears, an associate professor in the department of American studies and New College, will address how involving students in historical research of racial discrimination is crucial to the work of promoting diversity. She will specifically discuss two of her recent projects on environmental justice and the Scottsboro trials of the 1930s.
Rachel Stephens, an assistant professor of art history, and junior Nadia DelMedico will speak about their research on the diaries of UA’s second president Basil Manly. According to Stephens, the diaries provide a rich and inclusive history about the daily operations at the University between 1837 and 1855, including everyone from enslaved people to faculty.
“We believe that knowledge of the history of slavery at UA is critical to UA student education and will enlighten a path toward greater diversity and inclusion on campus,” Stephens said.
Dr. Hilary Green, an assistant professor in the department of gender and race studies, will also speak about slavery at The University of Alabama and will discuss the development of an alternative campus tour that recognizes the contributions made by members of the University Drum Corp while contextualizing the institution in which the University Drum Corp and other enslaved people labored.
At the conclusion of the symposium, Green will take registrants on a campus tour titled “Hallowed Grounds: Race, Slavery and The University of Alabama.”
For more information about the College of Arts and Sciences Diversity Day, contact Dr. Roger Sidje at roger.b.sidje@ua.edu.