HHSOM Demographic Data Press Release

For immediate release:

HHSOM Publishes Demographic Data, Plans for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

In June 2020, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music affirmed its belief in justice and equality, committing to “work tirelessly to ensure that everyone at the HHSOM is equally welcomed and valued [and to] promote these ideals to the local and global communities that surround us.”  This was not unique; statements and reaffirmations saturated news, emails, and social media.  Today, although the news cycle fervor has passed, the need for action has not. 

We acknowledge that those words ring hollow without frequent communication and demonstrable action. Living out our beliefs for justice and equality requires grappling with systemic barriers.  Those barriers often slow the system itself.  We are an institution of higher learning and we are committed to learning about ourselves, with humility and openness.

That learning includes understanding our populations.  We are pleased to open a new part of our website dedicated to demographic information--information we commit to examining and updating annually.  This data was prepared by our Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).  It is an important demonstration of the HHSOM’s leadership within our campus community by meeting goals set by the Beyond Baldwin Steering Committee and endorsed by the Franklin College Faculty Senate.1

The HHSOM will provide additional updates from the DEIB Committee in the coming weeks.

1See Statement A, approved during the Faculty Senate meeting on 8 December 2020, and jointly signed by the Mary Frances Early College of Education Faculty Senate.