Following the example set by UNLV in its Commitment to Diversity, the UNLV Writing Center staff recognizes that institutional racism exists at the individual and systemic level. Racism in educational settings results in inequalities that have negative impacts on student success and retention. It functions both consciously and unconsciously, and it is important that we regularly check our biases and privileges. Through that work, the Writing Center staff want to learn and grow in order to elevate the voices of marginalized individuals.

As such, we wish to outwardly state our pledge to value the linguistic, cultural and racial diversity of every writer and writing consultant. Below we list our beliefs and the actions we are committed to taking to make the Writing Center an inclusive space for the exploration and exchange of ideas in thinking, writing, talking, and learning.

We believe:

• The Writing Center is a space where ideas of social justice and antiracism can be fostered and discussed. It should be an equitable and welcoming learning environment.
• Because the Writing Center represents UNLV, it is important that we stand with the policies and decisions focused on diversity and inclusion made by the university administrators and the students.
• Linguistic diversity should be valued in all aspects of academic writing even though we understand that students are expected to write within certain academic conventions.

We commit to:

• Making the Writing Center a safe space for all writers to converse about their ideas and writing.
• Acknowledging how our own skin color, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and countries of origin inform our experiences. Those of us who identify as white admit that we will not fully understand what and how acts of racism, including systemic racism, look and feel to those who are marginalized and most impacted by it.
• Being allies who listen to all marginalized students’ voices to better understand what they go through on a daily basis; who have cultural humility, awareness, and respect for others’ ideas and backgrounds; and who help all writers succeed in their writing tasks.
• Allaying fears and insecurities of international, multilingual and Generation 1.5 writers.
• Striving to create a call-in culture where individuals have the right to make observations and engage with change and work to hold the Writing Center accountable.

We will take action by:

• Training consultants on how to have meaningful conversations about marginalized students’ experiences as well as on providing writing-related resources helpful to these individuals.
• Collaborating with writers who are researching issues of racism and antiracism in order to learn together.
• Advocating for more transparent graduate assistant recruiting practices and locating new venues for hiring that will help the Writing Center create a more diversified staff.
• Revising resources and documentation to use inclusive language and minimize the use of standard academic English terminology to increase accessibility and representation.
• Displaying this document publicly on our appointment scheduling tools, website, social media platforms, and in the Writing Center physical space, as well as in internal training materials and policy documents.