Wednesday’s official launch event for the Mosaic Project’s Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) highlighted the progress Washington University has made in diversity-related efforts and brought to light more detailed hopes for future work around inclusion on the Danforth Campus.

Held in Umrath Lounge, about 50 students, administrators, faculty and staff were in attendance for the event, which touched on everything from the newly formed committee to form a Center for Diversity and Inclusion at the University to plans for a prayer room in Olin Library.

Provost Holden Thorp, Vice Chancellor Sharon Stahl and members of the Mosaic Project team spoke in recognition of the successful launch of the BRSS, which happened Monday afternoon.

But they stressed that they are far from finished, and they hope the system will spotlight current weak points in how the University addresses issues that come to light.

“The first step in choosing the things we want to achieve when it comes to equity and inclusion is making sure that all our processes work well,” Thorp said. “Having a system like the BRSS that works and that we can rely on is incredibly important in making sure we get information where it needs to go and that we respond in the way we need to respond.”

“A lot of times, people think that doing the right things in this area is about our philosophy and reading the right things, but sometimes it’s just about getting the right things on the list and getting them done,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Mosaic Project emailed its monthly newsletter to approximately 30,000 people, with a link to external consultant Dr. Lori Patton Davis’ report about the state of diversity and inclusion at the University. Davis is the associate professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the Indiana University School of Education.  

“This report is not altogether glowing about Washington University. There are some critical things in there,” Thorp said. “I think the fact that we’re posting that report, which I did on the recommendation of Sharon [Stahl] and Rob [Wild] enthusiastically, is kind of a turning point in our receptivity to having the kinds of difficult conversations that we need to have.”

In her report, Davis noted, “There is an overwhelming perception that while diversity is espoused as an institutional value, it is not an institutional priority that is given sufficient attention. WU has a great deal about which to be proud, given its numerous rankings and accolades, but upon further analysis, the institution is not lauded, ranked, or considered to be a model in relation to diversity and inclusion.”

Senior Michele Hall echoed Davis’ statement, noting that Tuesday’s email did not draw a new audience to Wednesday’s event.

“As the provost mentioned at the beginning of this event, the [Mosaic Project] email was sent to 30,000 people, yet the people in this room are the usual suspects, the ones that always go to these kinds of events,” Hall said.

“Hopefully, we’ll get a lot more usual suspects in the room because we’ll all become them,” Stahl responded. “That’s a very optimistic view, but I think we’re all committed to trying to find ways to make that happen.”

In addition to celebrating the efforts of the people behind the BRSS, the event featured several announcements about additions to the University. Stahl officially confirmed the much-discussed Center for Diversity and Inclusion, announcing that a search committee has been commissioned to scout for a director and location for the center. Senior Vivek Ashok, Professor in the School of Law Adrienne Davis, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Students Rob Wild are chairing the committee.

“The very core of what our task force was tasked with doing was to collect conversations and talk with various students, faculty and staff as individuals and organizations to figure out…what we really need and want in a center for diversity and inclusion,” junior Seiko Shastri, co-chair of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion task force, said.

In addition, Wild announced that a stand-alone diversity program will be added to freshman orientation in the near future. And in response to an open letter from the Muslim Students Association from last fall, Thorp announced that plans are underway to put a prayer room in place in Olin Library by fall 2014.

The Mosaic Project “is putting the conversation on the table. Not only students, but staff and faculty understand that this is a conversation we have to have,” Alfreda Brown, Human Resources project manager for diversity, said. “The only way we’re going to have progress, we’re going to have to have very difficult conversations. That’s not to say that we won’t disagree, but we’re hoping at some point there will be a common theme that can bring us all together.”

Dean of Students Justin Carroll said he felt the Mosaic Project had already benefitted the community by promoting awareness of a variety of issues.

“I think it’s great that it’s been a process that has involved students, faculty and staff together because you don’t see a whole lot of things like that on campus. It’s unfortunate what caused us to do it, but I think the results are really promising,” he said.

Sophomore Jonathan Williford, member of the BRSS marketing team, said he hopes the BRSS will pave the path for future development.

“I think that [the BRSS] is going to give people a place to go, which is something that is certainly needed,” he said. “This is not a one-size-fits-all measure that’s going to fix everything, but I think it’s the first in a long series of baby steps.”