Historical Audit on Slavery Response: Actions Steps by Timeline

Due to COVID-19, the timeline for some action steps were adjusted. See below for new projected dates for the:

Seminary library renaming
Academic conference in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Howard University
Academic conference in Liberia on the topic of the legacy of the American Colonization Society

Now or within academic year 2019-20

Include the history of Princeton Seminary and the findings of the historical audit in the various orientations to the campus – for students, faculty and staff, and the board of trustees
Expand opportunities for faculty training and ongoing development and enrichment in pedagogies that embody cultural humility
Highlight lectureships focused on African American perspectives: the Geddes Hanson Lecture, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture, and the Prathia Hall Lecture
Join the Universities Studying Slavery consortium of other institutions of higher education that are conducting this research and ongoing work
Establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and regularly report progress to the Board of Trustees

Within one year (by Fall 2020)

Provide up to 10 new annual Francis Grimke scholarships, valued at the cost of tuition plus an additional $15,000, for students who are descendants of slaves or from underrepresented groups
Designate one doctoral fellowship annually as the Peter Paris Fellowship, with a stipend valued at $5,000 above the current doctoral stipend, for students who are descendants of slaves or from underrepresented groups
Begin a search for a full-time director for the Center for Black Church Studies
Develop a mechanism for members of the faculty to engage in a peer review of their syllabi in light of the issues raised in the historical audit (i.e., white privilege and Eurocentric normativity)
Create offerings through Continuing Education that explore the legacy of slavery in America and make the findings of the historical audit available to the broader church
Form a committee to explore relationships with Liberian churches and educational institutions

Within two years (by Fall 2021)

Name the Princeton Seminary library for Theodore Wright
In partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Howard University, co-sponsor a conference in Washington, D.C., on the topic of slavery and higher education
Enhance programming of a Center for Black Church Studies as a center for ongoing critical theological research and engagement on the legacy of enslavement, as well as a means of enhancing the formative experience of our students. This will include hiring a director and support staff.
Name the Center for Black Church Studies for Betsey Stockton
Provide up to 10 new annual Francis Grimke scholarships, valued at the cost of tuition plus an additional $15,000, to students who are from underrepresented groups
Integrate into the first-year curriculum for every master’s student sustained academic engagement with the implications of the historical audit for theological education and theological imagination
Include a required cross-cultural component as part of the curriculum for M. Div. students. This would include an international travel course or a cross-cultural experience in the United States
Through The Farminary Project, develop learning opportunities for current students and prospective students to pursue the restoration of brokenness between the church and the land
Develop a recruitment initiative to identify, attract, and enroll African American students
Support the leadership development of African American alumni through learning opportunities to equip for ministry and through enhancing connections within the alumni network
Designate a second annual doctoral fellowship as the Peter Paris Fellowship

Within three years (by Fall 2022)

Enhance the design of the Theodore Wright room in the library to become an engaging space for study and to include exhibition space to educate the campus community and all visitors about our history
In partnership with a Liberian university, co-sponsor a conference in Liberia on the topic of the legacy of the American Colonization Society
Support ongoing efforts of community development organizations in Princeton that promote education, affordable housing, and access to fresh food
Provide up to 10 new annual Francis Grimke scholarships (30 scholarships in total), valued at the cost of tuition plus an additional $15,000, to students who are from underrepresented groups
Designate a third annual doctoral fellowship as the Peter Paris Fellowship

Within four years (by Fall 2023)

Designate a fourth annual doctoral fellowship as the Peter Paris Fellowship

Within five years (by Fall 2024)

Hire an accomplished scholar whose research and teaching will give critical attention to the legacy of slavery and the African American experience and ecclesial life and continue efforts to recruit faculty of color in all areas
Develop programming to learn from and support African American faith communities through the Center for Black Church Studies
Designate a fifth annual doctoral fellowship as the Peter Paris Fellowship (five fellowships in total)

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