two sets of announcements. more on the way.

[Bill Maurer]

  Dear social sciences faculty, lecturers, staff and grad students,

  Two big sets of announcements today. Now, some of you already know parts
  of the first bit of news, but I wanted to share with the whole group. I
  am delighted to announce the following new department chairs, who begin
  their service on July 1:

  Leo Chávez, Anthropology
  Belinda Campos, Chicano/Latino Studies
  Louis DeSipio, interim chair, Political Science
  Simone Chambers, Political Science (as of 7/1/21)
  Judy Stepan-Norris, Sociology

  It's quite a dream team, and I couldn't be happier. Almost all of the
  formal announcements have gone out, but not all--so while this is old
  news for some, it's a sneak peek for others! Please join me in thanking
  outgoing chairs, Kim Fortun, Louis DeSipio, Jeff Kopstein, and Matt
  Huffman for their amazing service.

  Second: In these times, it helps to get a shot in the arm. No, not a
  vaccine yet, but something that will help inoculate our future generations
  against anti-Black racism and other forms of bias, and equip them to fight
  injustice and structural inequality. I am happy to report that today,
  the Samueli Foundation cut a $150,000 check to support our Diversity,
  Inclusion, and Racial Healing Ambassadors program (DIRHA). This is
  the first tranche of a previously announced $300,000 commitment--but
  now the funds are confirmed and on their way, and just in the nick of
  time. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. For
  those who are unfamiliar with it, DIRHA was formed in response to the
  Charlottesville violence of 2017. It brings workshops, mentorship and
  curricula on diversity, race and racism, religious diversity, immigration,
  gender and sexuality and other topics to the area high schools. Our
  undergrad students in the program receive training and then serve as
  mentors/ambassadors. This support will ensure that DIRHA can continue
  to reach thousands of Orange County's high school students.

  There will be more news like this to come! And we'll also be announcing
  some new initiatives as well as structural enhancements to some of our
  existing programming soon (tomorrow I hope), as part of a broader set
  of changes to address systemic racism. Stay tuned.

  Thanks for all that you are doing. I know it's been a long, long
  quarter. It's almost finished.

  Bill

  PS Also Ginger, deciding to read Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor's Race for Profit...