Centering Racial Justice in Our Work
Social justice is a critical pillar of sustainability. We are committed to dismantling the systems that perpetuate oppression, racism and violence towards people of color. We stand with communities of color in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. We encourage our community to join us in getting active and continuing to educate ourselves on anti-racism and social justice.
Sustainability would not exist without social justice. It is part of the triple bottom line. The Office of Sustainability is a team of many who works towards these goals.
Racial Justice: The systematic fair treatment of people of all races that results in equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone. All people are able to achieve their full potential in life, regardless of race, ethnicity or the community in which they live. Read more here.
Environmental Racism: the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards placed on people of color.
Environmental Justice: the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
As part of the Office of Sustainability’s commitment to making Bentley a more welcoming and just place, we participate in various initiatives throughout campus that achieve this. Bentley Office of Sustainability staff participate in several campus task force’s.
Fair Trade Task Force:
Facilitated by the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE), the Fair Trade Task Force is committed to advancing ethical consumption and global social justice on campus. The Task Force supports Bentley’s pursuit of becoming the first Fair Trade Certified business university in the United States by promoting awareness of fair trade principles, collaborating with campus partners to increase the availability of fair trade products, and organizing educational events that highlight the impact of consumer choices on global communities. Through these efforts, the task force fosters a culture of equity, sustainability and responsible citizenship.
Indigenous Learning Steering Committee:
The Indigenous Learning Steering Committee is charged with facilitating the development of ongoing co-curricular learning opportunities to raise awareness about Indigenous histories and lifeways, deepen respect for Indigenous cultures and values, and build relationships with Indigenous people and communities.
Physical Accessibility Task Force:
The charge of the Physical Accessibility Task Force is exploring the physical accessibility experience of our community members and visitors. The goal is to enhance the educational and work experience of the community and further advance the equitable physical access of our campus. The Task Force will identify barriers and explore solutions through performing an audit of current facilities, visiting comparable peer institutions if/when necessary, and consulting with experts in fields such as disability, facilities management and physical accessibility. The goal is to move Bentley forward in the advancement of physical accessibility of our campus.