"In the Summer of 2020, the Social Justice Committee was formed as a way to provide a platform for our student-athlete leaders to have a space not only speak out about the social injustices happening around us, but also to provide them an opportunity to work with the DAPER senior leadership team in order to take action against social injustice. The Levitch Leadership Laboratory (L^3) staff is so thankful that Maddie Sullivan, L^3 Practicum Intern, has taken the lead role in being the liaison between our student-athlete leaders and the DAPER senior leadership team." - Brooke Kalman
Over the course of the past year, the Social Justice Committee has been working on a number of projects and has set out numerous goals in order to make DAPER, its staff and its student-athletes a diverse place and have a better understanding about what diversity, equity and inclusion is all about.
This committee will lead the anti-racism charge for all DAPER student-athletes and will be tasked in meaningful dialogue surrounding the issues of racism and social justice. Through this meaningful dialogue the committee will be tasked with creating a set of action items that they want DAPER to work towards.
Members of the Social Justice Committee: Sienna Williams (Basketball), Haley Samuelsen (Softball), Laura Rosado (Swimming & Diving), Laura Kitch-Peck (Field Hockey), Kirsi Rajagopal (Cross Country/Track & Field), Dylan Ryan (Volleyball), Eva Anderson (Soccer), Emily Scherer (Sailing)
How the Committee Was Formed
"It was an opportunity to learn, grow and try to institute change alongside other passionate student-athletes. We saw that there were gaps and problems within the athletic department in regards to social justice issues, so I think being able to come together with other student-athletes who have a passion for this and try to come up with innovative ways to make a change was important for me. One thing I always wanted to do was not be complacent and continue to learn and continue to ask questions and this setting has given me the opportunity to do that." - Haley Samuelsen
Major Projects the Committee is Working On
Work with the DAPER staff and all varsity teams to have every student-athlete register to vote and have all practices and games cancelled so that they can go vote on Election Day.
16 teams were at 100% voter registration in November 2020.
22 teams were at 75% or higher voter registration in November 2020.
Partner with the L^3 Community Service Committee led by men's lacrosse senior Eric Pence to engage with the Boston Red Sox Foundation.
The goal would be, when able, to bring minority students and underprivileged kids on campus to play games and participate in activities with the MIT student-athletes.
The Formation of the Coalition of Black Athletes
Future Goals for the Social Justice Committee
5. Create an athletics orientation/gateway event to change exclusivity within DAPER in order to reach more people on campus and gain a bigger sense of belonging within the community.
6. Invite minority and underprivileged kids on campus, when allowed, for a field day to show that all types of kids that they can be a part of the community at MIT and attend school in the future here.
