The UW School of Veterinary Medicine is steadfastly committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and supporting all of our students, faculty and staff. We are proud of the school’s efforts to advance these critical initiatives, but we know we can and must do better.
We encourage all in the SVM community to explore personal ways to understand and address racism and champion diversity, equity and inclusion. Listed below are a variety of resources to learn, listen and take action.
As the principles of inclusion from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, of which Dean Mark D. Markel currently serves as president, state:
We affirm the value of human diversity for the enrichment of the community and believe diversity fosters a climate conducive to success for all members of the veterinary medical education community.
We confront and reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, geographic, socioeconomic, and educational background or any other differences that have led to misunderstanding, hostility and injustice.
UW-Related Resource Links
- Statement from Chancellor Rebecca Blank (5/31)
- Statement from Patrick Sims, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion (6/1)
- Message from Wisconsin Alumni Association in Response to Racial Injustice (6/3)
- Message and Resources from SVM VOICE Executive Board (6/3)
- UW-Madison Programs and Services to Support Students, Faculty, and Staff
- UW-Madison Faculty and Staff Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- Resources for White Allies from the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement
- Addressing Racism, Equity and Diversity in the Sciences
- UW-Madison Multicultural Student Center
- UW Public History Project
- UW Ebling Library #blacklivesmatter resources for all
Resources from the Community
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice (Corinne Shutack)
- Anti-Racism Resources (Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein)
- 158 Resources for Understanding Systemic Racism in America (Smithsonian)
- An Essential Reading Guide For Fighting Racism (BuzzFeed News)
- This List Of Books, Films And Podcasts About Racism Is A Start, Not A Panacea (NPR's Code Switch)
- Discussing Racism With Children (Madison Metropolitan School District)
Letter from SVM VOICE Executive Board
To our community,
The VOICE (Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment) Club shows our support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Our mission is to promote awareness of and respect for the differences and intersectionalities among all individuals and communities in the field of veterinary medicine; to provide an environment that embraces diversity; and to promote student success (particularly of underrepresented students). In order to accomplish this, it is important that our community recognizes that Black Lives Matter and acknowledges their unique challenges. It is imperative that we all educate ourselves and continuously try to do better. We encourage dialogue, education, and empathy. (View the full letter and resources.)
"Each of us – particularly those of us who do not face the daily challenge of living amid inequity and injustice – must contribute to and lead the change that is needed. There are many ways to become more aware and involved."
Chancellor Rebecca Blank