During a public presentation on November 18, 2024, as part of Memorial University’s Provost search process, Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Jennifer Lokash denied abuse allegations of the Vice-Provost (Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism) Dr. Delores V. Mullings.
A student stated that during an October 2024 presentation by the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Office (EDI-AR), Mullings spoke about the lack of support and exclusion the EDI-AR office faces at Memorial. She also spoke about the lack of support she receives as the sole black woman in Memorial’s senior administration. Mullings also shared her experiences of being excluded twice from high-profile events oriented around women in leadership at Memorial. The student said they witnessed this exclusion firsthand at a Board of Regents meeting in the summer, where Mullings’s expertise on equity and anti-racism was disregarded.
The student asked several questions: “Do you recognize this pattern of exclusion as racism? Can you provide any explanation as to why the sole black woman in leadership was excluded from these events? If you are to continue holding this position, how can the students feel confident you will not allow this type of exclusion to happen again under your watch?”
Lokash responded that she cannot acknowledge that Mullings, in her role as Vice-Provost, has been excluded. She said Mullings received lots of support from the university, as well as mentoring and working with individuals both at and beyond the university. She said Mullings is involved in decision-making at various key times, and the narrative out there that she is somehow not being included just doesn’t line up with what her experience has been.
Lolash said the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism are areas of priority and commitment for her, and she recently participated in a consultation session on anti-black racism that was led by Mullings.
She stated, “You know, there’s great work happening in that space. We have signed on the Scarboro Charter. We’re developing strategies around that to respond to the calls to action in the Scarboro Charter… and that is the future direction of this university.”
Lokash apologized that the perspective has developed that Mullings has been excluded but that it is not true. She said EDI-AR is vital to the university.
She concluded, “I think there’s a lot of work we can still do. I by NO means want to say that we are perfect. We have a lot of work and learning and development to do in order to truly be an inclusive community. So that’s how I would respond to that.”
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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