Editor’s Note: This letter does not reflect the views or opinions of The Daily Barometer.
Dear all,
On the eve of the “sunsetting” of OSU’s [Oregon State University’s] nationally-recognized Social Justice Education Initiative (SJEI), I am writing to encourage you all to celebrate the living legacy of SJEI Program Director and Senior Associate for Social Justice Learning and Engagement, Jane Waite. Jane has changed the lives of thousands of Oregonians, including OSU faculty, staff, and students; members of our Extension and Tribal communities; and school children across the state. Below is a quote from one of the 336 statements of support collected re the SJEI and Search Advocate programs that speaks to the transformative impact of Jane’s work at OSU and beyond:
“Since it began, SJEI has transformed how thousands of OSU community members understand and engage with social justice principles. Unlike generic diversity training, SJEI’s grounding in Oregon’s specific historical context creates authentic understanding that translates into meaningful action. The program’s workshop series has built genuine capacity for curiosity, communication, self-awareness, and leadership across departments and roles. After participating myself, I feel more confidence in cross-cultural communication and an improved ability to navigate complex conversations about identity and equity. This transformation extends beyond individual growth, creating a more inclusive campus culture where diverse perspectives are valued and leveraged for institutional excellence.
SJEI provides the cultural competency and historical context necessary for OSU to fulfill its land grant mission authentically. As Oregon’s flagship public university, we have a responsibility to serve all Oregonians effectively, which requires understanding the complex historical and social factors that shape our communities. SJEI’s “more curiosity, less judgment” approach creates the relational foundation necessary for genuine collaboration across difference. The program directly supports OSU’s strategic goals by building the leadership and communication skills that enable our diverse community to thrive together and tackle complex challenges collaboratively.
Losing SJEI would eliminate one of OSU’s most effective tools for building the cultural competency and inclusive leadership skills our community needs. Without this program, we risk losing the capacity to engage meaningfully with Oregon’s diverse communities and to create the inclusive environment necessary for all students, faculty, and staff to succeed. The program’s unique approach to connecting historical context with current challenges cannot be easily replicated through other diversity initiatives. We would lose the institutional knowledge and expertise that Jane Waite and her team have built, along with the trust and relationships that make this sensitive work possible.”
Despite our community’s significant and ongoing efforts to shine the light of shared governance on deliberations about the future of SJEI and the Search Advocate program, OSU leadership has not heeded our calls for action, and Jane Waite and SJEI will cease to be a part of OSU after (Oct. 16). If you haven’t already done so, please consider sharing your thanks for Jane’s lifetime of transformative service with her directly at [email protected]. Her legacy at OSU will live on with those of us privileged to have learned from her fierce and caring leadership.
Thank you, Jane; and thanks to all of you who support her.
Jenny Engels, Ph.D. (she/her)
Associate Professor of Teaching