What we Need to Thrive at UC Davis

A list adapted from “To Our Readers,” Beyond the Stats zine, Winter 2018

1) PERMANENT PLACE KEEPING:

One long term goal is to have a permanent space for BTS on campus.

2) RECOGNITION: 

We’d like our knowledge, life experience, resilience and value to be recognized in a way that creates more spaces for students like us to thrive.

3) CRITICAL STAFFING:

a. A mental health counselor versed in the type of trauma formerly incarcerated students often come with.
b. Admissions counselors identified that are also versed in the struggles and barriers formerly incarcerated students face.
c. Staff and administrators who support us, and are also sensitive to the potential needs formerly incarcerated students come with. 
 

4) IN THE CLASSROOM:

a. Classes on “criminal” individuals or behavior to reflect more than a biased opinion or biased research on what makes a “criminal."
b. We should feel that our communities and experiences are welcome in the classroom not judged by outsiders, misinterpreted, and misrepresented by a capitalist, colonial lens.
c. Support for formerly incarcerated students in each department, so we know who our members can potentially work with or receive support from per major. STEM support is particularly needed.

5) POLICY:

A quota for formerly incarcerated students in the name of equity and diversity.