October 28, 2015

Dear Members of The Irate 8,

On behalf of the University, we want to thank you for raising these very important issues of diversity
and inclusion, as well as for your commitment to positive change. We recognize the time, intellect,
and energy you contributed to produce a comprehensive document that brings new and long-standing
issues to our attention, as well as proposed strategies to build a more diverse and inclusive university
community. We recognize your leadership in stepping up, speaking out, and making your voices
heard.
Given the sensitive nature of these issues, we believe you deserve more than simply an exchange of
documents, but a real commitment on the part of the university to work with you and other
stakeholders to address the important concerns you have raised.
The relationship were developing lends itself to a more suitable medium for dialogue; one in which
we can listen, review, explore and respond to each item together.
Many of the issues you raised are complex, require ongoing effort, and are part of a broader agenda
for the university. We look forward to continuing our meetings with you to provide insight and
action, in an effort to make real change. We will need ongoing work sessions that will allow us to
collaboratively and effectively make progress. We will reach out to find additional times to connect.
As a demonstration of good faith, and in response to some of the issues you raised:
1. The Community Advisory Council was recently formed to assist in police reform issues at
UCPD. After addressing these reform issues, some members of this group will transition to
work with the Presidents Diversity Council in reviewing and recommending strategies
related to diversity matters involving our students, faculty, staff and suppliers;
2. We are actively assessing the entire area around the AACRC site as part of the universitys
master plan. We commit to working with the leadership in the Division of Student Affairs,
AACRC program staff, you and other students to evaluate the program and campus needs as
part of this work. This effort could result in the expansion and/or renovation of the existing
facility;
3. We are committed to providing additional resources for programmatic, student-oriented
diversity and social justice programming. We look forward to working with you to develop a
detailed proposal with specific goals and outcomes for increased funding;
4. We will reconvene the UC Foundations Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council to assist
with diversity fundraising initiatives that will include the AACRC; and
5. We are exploring the creation of a cultural competence curriculum and will enlist the support
of a cadre of individuals, inclusive of faculty who will be key in driving this change.

An affirmative action/equal opportunity institution

We understand there is still much work to be done. Beyond the conversations, we need your
continued involvement in helping us transform the university. We are truly on a journey toward
Inclusive Excellence and this represents the next step.
Sincerely,

Santa J. Ono, PhD

President

Bleuzette Marshall, PhD

Chief Diversity Office

An affirmative action/equal opportunity institution