Blue Ribbon Task Force on Islamophobia

Blue Ribbon Task Force on Islamophobia

SDSU President Adela de la Torre announced in April 2024 the expansion of the existing Islamophobia and SWANA/MENA Task Force into a Blue Ribbon Task Force. Members of the new Blue Ribbon Task Force on Islamophobia will include students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members. 

Purpose and Activities

The task force's objectives include:

  • Reviewing and recommending improvements for policies and practices to identify and mitigate instances of Islamophobia on campus.
  • Collaborating with Inclusive SDSU/CREDIT Process to develop a protocol for responding effectively to incidents of Islamophobia in alignment with our commitment to inclusivity.
  • Assessing opportunities to integrate education on the experiences of those who are MENA, Arab, and Muslim across the curriculum to increase awareness and understanding among students, faculty and staff.
  • Providing recommendations for enhancing the onboarding processes for students, faculty, and staff to create a supportive and safe environment for MENA, Arab, and Muslim students.
  • Identifying recommendations for improving campus climate and promoting cultural diversity, including amplifying the accomplishments and contributions of SDSU's MENA, Arab, and Muslim students, faculty, and staff.
  • Offering recommendations for increasing awareness of campus-wide events celebrating MENA, Arab and Muslim cultures, histories and diversity.
  • Producing an annual report on support for and incidents impacting MENA, Arab, and Muslim community members, as well as the activities of the task force (to track progress and inform future initiatives).
  • Engaging with a broad range of campus and community stakeholders to gather insights and suggestions for recommendations on combating Islamophobia and also Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Arab and Anti-Muslim discrimination toward enhancing support for MENA, Arab, and Muslim community members.

Nomination Process and Contact Information

San Diego State University is seeking volunteers to serve as members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Islamophobia. This site contains all information needed to self-nominate or nominate a candidate to serve as a member, along with the actual nomination form.

Nominations will be accepted via the online form through July 1, 2024.

Should you have any questions, contact Randy Timm, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, at [email protected], and Tonika Green, Associate Vice President for Campus Community Affairs, at [email protected].

All members of the SDSU community can nominate themselves or another individual to serve as a volunteer member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. 

Desirable characteristics for members of the task force include the following:

  • Demonstrate expertise and understanding of the nuances related to culture, traditions and experiences of MENA, Arab and Muslim communities.
  • Maintain trauma-informed practices as important frameworks for being receptive to the specific needs of community members who have experienced harassment and discrimination.
  • Recognize that issues or challenges individuals face are structural, institutional, statewide, and national, and need to be addressed at all of those levels.
  • Understand the need to work together and across backgrounds, beliefs and religious practices to address these issues.
  • Balance transparency with confidentiality when addressing the specific concerns of individuals. 

Each nomination must include the nominee’s name, contact information, and a statement of interest that includes information about interest in serving as a member, topic expertise, and/or relevant experience.

SDSU has called for nominations to identify qualified individuals to serve on the task force. Campus and community members will be asked to nominate individuals who demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusivity, fostering understanding, and addressing issues related to Islamophobia and campus climate.

Members will be appointed by the university’s senior leadership in consultation with relevant campus organizations and community groups. Appointments will be prioritized for those with content expertise and/or who have studied or researched the lived experiences of MENA, Arab and Muslim peoples. 

The task force will consist of 12-15 members, including faculty, staff, students, community members, and allies, who will serve one- to three-year appointments. 

July 1, 2024.

The selection of task force members will take place beginning in July, with a nomination and application process that will continue through June and July. Members of the task force will be announced in August 2024. The task force will commence its work beginning in September of 2024 and will meet regularly to fulfill its objectives. The task force is expected to produce its first annual report by May 15, 2025.

Task Force Members

To be announced. 

University Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger or needs immediate help, call 911. If you are not in immediate danger but still need support, San Diego State University is here to help you. If you or someone you know has experienced harassment or discrimination, you can report the issue and also connect with support and guidance, to include confidential support.