Reaching out to Black Graduate Student TAs, RAs, Postdocs and Sessional Lecturers

A message from the Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus:

Dear Black Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Sessional Lecturers,

As Co-Chairs of Dalhousie’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus (DBFSC), we are reaching out to
Black individuals at Dalhousie that are currently employed in sessional, TA, and postdoctoral
positions at Dalhousie to introduce DBFSC and determine interest in meeting with a few
members of DBFSC Executive in June 2019 to discuss how the DBFSC can provide support in
addressing concerns around equity and inclusion in the workplace and on campus,.

The mission of DBFSC is to promote a greater sense of community, advocate progress, and
maintain ongoing support for Black faculty, staff and students at Dalhousie University in an
effort to enhance cultural diversity within the University and support the academic mission of the
institution. Our mandate is:

• To serve as a voice for the concerns of the Black communities at Dalhousie University,

particularly faculty and staff, to the Board of Governors, the Senate, senior administration
and others as appropriate;

• To advise the President regarding matters related to the Black communities on campus;
• To support the academic and professional development of Black faculty and staff at

Dalhousie University;

• To advocate for the recruitment and retention of Black faculty at all ranks and Black staff

at all administrative levels to promote equity and to ensure that representation at
Dalhousie University is at or above the levels required by the Federal Contractors
Program; and

• To work with relevant others at Dalhousie University, including the various bargaining

units, to ensure and maintain equitable treatment in promotion, job opportunities, and a
work environment that is free of discrimination and racial tensions.

There are two categories of membership in the DBFSC: Members and Associate Members.
Members include faculty and staff at Dalhousie University who self-identify as Black and wish
to join. Associate members include all faculty and staff at a University in Nova Scotia who self-
identify as Black and wish to join. Associate members have a voice but cannot vote.
To indicate interest in meeting with DBFSC Executive, please contact dbfsc@dal.ca or reach out
to one of us below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

With best regards,

Ingrid Waldron, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University
Co-Chair (Faculty), Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
Email: iwaldron@dal.ca
Phone: 902-494-4267

Amina Abawajy, Education Advisor, Human Rights and Equity Services, Dalhousie University
Co-Chair (Staff), Dalhousie Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
Email: am461841@dal.ca
Phone: 902.494.7704