Wednesday’s University Council meeting included the introduction of a proposed amendment to rename the group’s Committee on Diversity and Equity, as well as a report on Penn Dining.
The agenda for the Oct. 22 meeting in Houston Hall included the proposed renaming of the “Committee on Diversity and Equity” to the “Committee on Belonging” — which would require a change to the Council bylaws. The event opened with remarks from Penn President Larry Jameson, who discussed the “meaningful” role of Penn Dining across the University.
The meeting’s discussion of the committee renaming was met with significant opposition from student representatives.
College sophomore Kaison Wills — who serves as the political chair for Penn’s Association for Gender Equity — stated that “removing diversity and equity from the committee’s name is not a neutral act.”
“It’s a signal that the University is willing to distance itself from the very principles of diversity, equity, inclusion that marginalized students fought for and relied on for decades,” Wills added. “This is not just a name change. It’s a retreat motivated by fear and will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the entire community.”
Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs Joann Mitchell explained, however, that “existing legislative and legal changes have necessitated some of the changes.”
The amendment recommends the removal of key words such as “diversity” and “affirmative action” from the committee’s description. The committee ultimately voted to postpone the final decision on the amendment’s approval until the Council’s next meeting.
“This is a hugely important and impactful topic, and one I think we would all benefit from thinking and talking more about,” Eric Feldman, the past Faculty Senate chair, said of the postponement.
Vice President of the Division of Business Services Michael Scales said that more than 6,000 students are on meal plans this academic year.
“On average, we serve 10,000 meals a day in our residential retail locations,” Scales added. “Last year, students and guests completed over 2 million dining transactions, each one more than just a meal, but a chance to connect.”
He also mentioned that “student satisfaction” regarding dining options is “on the rise.”
Following Scales' remarks, Penn Dining representatives described recent initiatives and projects to make campus dining a more inclusive experience for Penn students.
At the end of the meeting, representatives were given the opportunity to submit personal concerns to the rest of the Council. During the open forum, individuals discussed the tenure status of part-time lecturers, federal research funding, and gratitude for Jameson’s rejection of the White House’s compact.
