Dear UA community,
I am writing to address widespread speculation and the resulting concerns over Rethinking Race and the plans for moving forward. Over the past week and more, multiple media outlets have reported on The University of Akron and our Office of Community Engagement, Opportunity & Belonging. It has resulted in a community member's op-ed and news coverage largely based on assumptions rather than facts. I appreciate that the Akron Beacon Journal published UA Board of Trustees Chair Lewis Adkins' recent perspective, which was shared with the campus community via Digest and Zipmail and via social media yesterday. I'd like to offer an additional viewpoint.
First, The University of Akron completed its annual week of Rethinking Race programming in Nov. 2024. There were never plans to host additional sessions or programs during the month of February or during this spring semester. Instead, offices across campus planned programming for Black History Month, all of which are carrying on as planned.
Second, the word "canceled" has been used by many to describe the status of the fall 2025 event. Rethinking Race was not canceled; it was not budgeted for. While we continue to exercise stewardship, monitor guidance and evaluate our programs in light of that guidance, no programs were canceled. In fact, the Office of Community Engagement, Opportunity & Belonging has recently informed me that the decision not to budget for Rethinking Race in its past form was made months before the University was contacted about circulating rumors.
Third, as a past co-chair of Rethinking Race, I offer my voice of support for the importance of the program's panel themes, the thought-provoking discussions and the dynamic keynote speakers. Simultaneously, I trust the UA leadership team to make programming decisions that best reflect the strongest programs and the best use of resources. While I was unaware until recent media coverage that the decision not to budget for a future Rethinking Race had been made, I nevertheless support the office's right to retool. The provost and I are aligned in our support for distributed decision-making and budget authority. In this case, November's Rethinking Race, in its then-current format, did not draw the attendance or campus enthusiasm it had drawn in the past. As such, the Office of Community Engagement, Opportunity & Belonging made the decision to revise its programming moving forward.
With these vital facts in mind, I hope our discussions, both on-campus and in the surrounding community, can reflect on our programming with honesty and integrity. The University does not wish to end conversations over this decision; rather, I am writing to encourage subsequent discussions to reflect the record accurately. While there are no plans to offer Rethinking Race in its past form in the years to come, there is certainly room for similar programs--ones that bring together panels of experts and provide forums for tough conversations. Most importantly, I can assure our close-knit community that The University of Akron remains committed to ensuring discussions that promote a safe campus environment and a universal sense of belonging.
Sincerely,
President R.J. Nemer
The University of Akron
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476, cboyd@uakron.edu