Chief Diversity Officer Rafael Zapata’s annual diversity report was released in a community-wide email on Sept. 8. 

In the email announcing the report, the Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., spoke directly to Black people and other people of color in the Fordham community, writing: “While no single institution is capable of curing these social ills, I promise you that Fordham is committed to doing its part to combat racism and anti-Blackness.”

The report begins by highlighting the university’s accomplishments prior to the beginning of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, including a partnership with the Bronx Book Festival, work with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council, and implementation of a test-optional admission policy.

In a section titled “The Work Ahead,” initiatives that are currently underway were laid out, including DEI training, a series of events covering race, and plans for anti-racism training within specific schools and departments.

Zapata ended the report by reminding the Fordham community of the urgent need for racial justice. 

McShane also said in regard to Fordham’s action plan, “We will not be able to address every issue before us in the 2020-2021 school year: there is simply too much to accomplish in a single academic year. But we will devote all the resources we can—both in funding and staff time—to this very important work.”

This is a developing story; check back for updates.