On Feb. 12, 2018, Father Mark Poorman released a university-wide announcement detailing several administrative initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion at the University of Portland. Of the major action items, the University has committed to formally recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day beginning in the 2019-20 academic year.
Martin Luther King day was declared a federal holiday on Nov. 2, 1983. Now, nearly 35 years later, the University of Portland’s formal recognition of this day comes at a time when our campus and nation needs the guidance of Dr. King’s dreams and ideals more than ever.
As student representatives, ASUP is dedicated to supporting the entirety of our student body and underrepresented groups through acts of solidarity and tangible actions. We fully support the efforts of the administration to recognize and honor one of our country’s greatest leaders. As part of the University’s core tenets of service and leadership, we want to reiterate the need for students to use this newly created opportunity to build an inclusive community at UP and beyond. Dr. King’s movement towards justice and equity deserves no less. ASUP encourages the University of Portland administration to strengthen their commitment towards diversity and inclusion through concrete action.
Sitara Nath writes on behalf of ASUP. ASUP can be contacted at asup@up.edu.
