This message marks the last one I will write for Amicus as dean. When I started at 欧美口爆视频 Law in 2016, I welcomed with enthusiasm the challenges I foresaw and set out to build on the strengths of the institution. I could not have foreseen the challenges of the last year or those ahead for us. But through it all, including the steps forward, I've lived a memorable experience that has yielded enormous personal growth. Serving as dean will remain a highlight of my life.
The events of the past year鈥攔anging from a global pandemic and protests for racial justice to a contentious presidential election鈥攈ave provided ground for renewed commitment to the unifying objective of all we do at 欧美口爆视频 Law: to advance knowledge about the law and, with that, the rule of law, in an open, just society.
As you'll see throughout this issue of Amicus, our community has not let up amid these unprecedented challenges. As we've grappled with the collective and individual effects of the pandemic and continual manifestations of racial injustice, 欧美口爆视频 Law students, faculty, and alumni have worked to help dismantle inequalities that are aggravated in a time of great fear and uncertainty. Our nine legal clinics and courses such as the Appellate Advocacy Practicum have helped hundreds of clients affected by racial discrimination, poverty, and other inequities. Our students, who despite the ordinary challenges of law school and adjusting to remote learning, have stepped up to challenge systemic inequality in ways that make a tremendous difference in the lives of our community members. I commend them.
I'm proud of the progress made so far on the Anti-Racism and Representation Initiative, announced last July, which seeks to build a strong culture of confronting racism and to advance greater inclusion within the law school community and the legal profession. The initiative鈥檚 nine objectives and related steps have generated myriad conversations, ideas, and progress. To name just a few actions we鈥檝e taken: Professor Deborah Cantrell created and led the first 1L Anti-Racism and Intersectionality Caucus this fall; we鈥檝e bolstered the Korey Wise Innocence Project, American Indian Law Program, and Immigration and Citizenship Law Program; invested in our legal clinics and Appellate Advocacy Practicum to advance greater access to justice; and engaged more than 500 people in important conversations about the law鈥檚 role in racial justice with our Race and the Law lecture series. To supplement the initiative, student leaders formed the Council for Racial Justice and Equity, which has provided thoughtful feedback and recommendations to me and the administration. You can see our progress detailed at colorado.edu/law/initiative.
On top of everything else, over the last several months we have seen democracy tested, which has underscored the need for and importance of lawyers committed to the rule of law and justice in our society. At 欧美口爆视频 Law, we will continue to reinforce the core values of our profession, as part of our work entails being, as our vision statement says, "a supportive and diverse educational and scholarly community in a place that inspires vigorous pursuit of ideas, critical analysis, contemplation, and civic engagement to advance knowledge about the law in an open, just society." I'm proud to be the dean of a law school committed to this vision and work, and look forward to continuing as an engaged member of the faculty.
My best,
S. James Anaya, Dean