Solidarity with BERG — Point of Action #5: Require OHSU to do diverse outreach

To the BERG: Our union sees, recognizes and values the incredible leadership and perseverance of our Black colleagues at OHSU. We stand in solidarity with the BERG. AFSCME Local 328 has been reflecting as a union, and we recognize our ability to do much better.

As stated in our December 2020 letter to the OHSU Black Employee Resource Group, AFSCME Local 328 has committed to stand and bear witness to the BERG’s letter sent  to OHSU leadership and the board of directors on August 31, 2020, which called out concerns around OHSU’s racist practices, particularly those impacting Black employees. This month we address the first of the BERG’s 14 Points of Action, which is to:

Require broader OHSU outreach to a more diverse representation of colleges, universities, and feeder schools. Engage Black students in STEM beginning in middle schools through pipeline programs. Peer academic and healthcare institutions have created programs like this and OHSU should contact them for guidance on how to build similar programs.

There was once a time when OHSU had a more engaging relationship with the community.  High school students would work at OHSU after school, students from Benson Polytechnic High School’s Health Occupations program traveled to OHSU once a week and did rounds for a day.  Where is OHSU’s physical presence now?

In their response, OHSU mentions working towards broadening and enhancing pathway programs, but what is the end goal with these programs? There is a significant difference between being passively involved in some community programs and dedicating time, energy and resources to creating truly person-focused programs that will increase diversity at OHSU. If this is OHSU’s goal, how do they plan to accomplish that? What long-term objectives will be in place to ensure that the current smattering of programs can be transformed into a focused effort to become genuinely engaged with diverse communities to determine the way they want to be supported? It is noted in OHSU's response that requests were made to state legislators to increase funding for some programs - is there a way that the OHSU Foundation could be a partner in ensuring that funds were secured to create and expand programs that engage Black students?

In OHSU’s response to the BERG, it was noted that pipeline programs have not been successful. This raises important questions and considerations. Was the pipeline program staffed and funded properly? Did OHSU Administration throw its considerable weight and support behind it? We know that well-funded and organized pipeline programs, like the school-to-prison pipeline have been tragically successful for black students. At a university that claims to be attempting to do big and impossible things, we know that with the will, desire and dedication, a successful pipeline program is achievable.

Like a patchwork quilt that is comprised of various blocks stitched together, each having its own meaning, OHSU was once sewn into the fabric of the city.  Is OHSU committed to the metropolitan area in which it resides and what does the University bring to this quilt?

AFSCME Local 328 continues to hold the entire OHSU community accountable (including but not limited to members of our bargaining unit, OHSU leadership, students and researchers) to do their part — individually and collectively — in remaking OHSU into an anti-racist institution. In order for this to happen, we must all be accountable and demonstrate transparency. As such, we stand with the BERG and their call for OHSU to require broader outreach to a more diverse representation of colleges, universities, and feeder schools, as well as engaging Black students beginning in middle schools through pipeline programs.