About Our Program
Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics is committed to supporting the College's mission to "equip students to think deeply, live honorably, and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times". In light of events that have challenged race relations in the U.S., discussions about race and equity can be exasperating and taxing on those who experience oppression. Likewise, allies often struggle with how to support communities of color and underrepresented populations.
Navigating the road to equality can often be complicated and athletes have been among those on the forefront of calling for social change. The Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics developed a training program known as R.E.S.T. Area for Athletes (Race & Equity in Sports Training). The purpose is to create safe spaces for coaches, administrators, and student-athletes to develop the skills necessary to address racial inequalities.
The R.E.S.T. Area for Athletes curriculum aims to address racial disparities in three key ways: (1) creating opportunities for dialogue on race within a team environment, (2) using sports as a platform to create antiracist climates on college campuses, and (3) advocating for the dismantlement of systematic racism in college sports. Those who complete the training will be encouraged to not be bystanders in racial injustice and use what they learn to promote equity and inclusion.
Agnes Scott Athletics Resolution for Race Relations
There has been much discussion, demonstrations, and statements made about the maltreatment of Black citizens in the United States and racial inequality. In addition to standing in solidarity with those who desire fairness, equality, and justice for all people, we, Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics, plan to take action to ensure our athletic activities represent these values. As a result, we have created a resolution for race relations for Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics and it is as follows:
WHEREAS
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Agnes Scott College is an institution of higher education that "strives to be a just and inclusive community that expects honorable behavior, encourages spiritual inquiry and promotes respectful dialogue across differences";
Participation in and attendance of intercollegiate athletic events at Agnes Scott College is a privilege afforded to a diverse community of athletes, administrators, donors, and fans;
The federal and state governments have failed in protecting its citizens from racial inequality and race relations in this country have improved minimally since the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
Systematic and institutionalized racism in education, industry, and society still exists in this country to keep persons of color oppressed and minimize their contributions to society.
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BE IT SO RESOLVED
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1) Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics will not tolerate acts of racism committed by members of the athletic teams, athletic personnel, volunteers, donors, and fans;
2) acts of racism, such as hate speech, weaponizing the police in non-emergency situations, social media activity, overt acts of racism and discrimination, will be swiftly addressed and are cause for dismissal from the team or loss of the privilege to participate in or attend sporting events;
3) as an institution of higher education with a duty to promote learning, all personnel including student-athletes will engage in continuous dialogue with the community and receive training on race relations;
4) Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics will not compete against other institutions who do not have a commitment to racial equality;
5) Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics will not do business with companies who do not have a commitment to racial equality and will amend all athletic facility use contracts to reflect our intent to promote racial equality in our spaces;
6) Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics will not employ staff, whether full-time, part-time, volunteer or contractual, that do not have a commitment to racial equality and acts of racism will be grounds for dismissal;
7) contributions of racial and ethnic minorities will be equally celebrated and memorialized in the history of Agnes Scott Athletics, the Hall of Fame, and other award and recognition opportunities; and
Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics urges the campus community, alumnae, the City of Decatur, the USA South Conference, and all external stakeholders to stand with us in solidarity to ensure our athletic activities are inclusive, respectful of all persons, and space where racial and ethnic minorities feel safe to play.
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Our Partners
