The Center for Complexity
RISD
20
Where the Center Currently Meets the Conversation-Sparking Remarks Though not stated in the report itself, there are two elements to the SEI Action Plan — the stated goals of the administration, and the demands of B.A.A.D. in advocating for the Action Plan to begin. As an advocate for reparations within the RISD and greater Providence communities, the Center must also commit to understanding its relation to the demands of students, as laid out in 2016. This section is an evaluation of the Center for Complexity in its first year of practice, and how it complies to and/or expands on the Not Your Token demands as published by B.A.A.D.:
RISD Center for Complexity—As of 2019, does the Center address the demands of the Not Your Token protest organizers and participants? In their statement, B.A.A.D. and their allies demand… ...a mandatory global consciousness course for all students in order to make them responsible image-makers. The Center is... —— Not doing this with an aim towards RISD students. —— Not doing this within its pedagogical initiatives, namely its Strategic Design Program, though there has been a stated interest in incorporating principles of learning global consciousness. Has not yet prepared course supplements on the need-to-knows of global consciousness. ...that all faculty undergo adequate, regular, and thorough cultural and identity-based sensitivity training upon being hired as well as after contract renewals on a basis of one, three, or five years. The Center is... —— Not pushing for training for its faculty, staff, or student participants in a regular manner. The Complexity and Social Equity Research Fellow hired in 2019 developed some very low-level identity-based sensitivity training, but there were only two events and neither had follow-up nor full attendance. ...that there be an increase in outreach and support to both low-income students and students of color whether they be prospective applicants or currently enrolled. The Center is... —— Not increasing its outreach to support or invite low-income students and students of color to join the Center for Complexity formally or as critics. Six students of color have been employed at the Center, but four of these employees worked with the Strategic Design Program. There is a singular permanent staff member of color at the Center, with two