Commentary

DEI Runs Deep at the University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • January 19, 2023
  • University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services

How deep does wokeness run at the University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services (UNHCHHS)? Do No Harm found out – and the results should raise concern in the minds of New Hampshire taxpayers.

UNHCHHS offers numerous degree programs in several health sciences at its Durham, NH campus, including social work. In response to a public information request, Do No Harm received two course syllabi from the Department of Social Work: Race Equity in Health and Human Services (SW630) and Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice (SW840).

Because learners will “examine their own experiences of both privilege and oppression,” the Race Equity in Health and Human Services course material provides them with a trigger warning before listing the course objectives.

Figure 1. From the Race Equity in Health and Human Services syllabus.

While students are being prepared to understand how racism and oppression has an impact on their personal and professional lives, Race Equity in Health and Human Services assists them in the development of “anti-racist strategies.”

Figure 2. From the Race Equity in Health and Human Services syllabus.

Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practices is described as a “foundation course” to increase awareness of multi-factorial “aspects of oppression directed at Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC).” Future social workers examine the theoretic concepts surrounding “issues of oppression and social justice” and the “dynamics of race, culture, and oppression in U.S. society.” To make this point early in the course, students are assigned a text on “white privilege,” a video by anti-racism proponent Kate Slater, and the “Matrix of Oppression” in week 2.

Figure 3. Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practices, Week 2.

The College of Health and Human Services shows its support for these ideologies through its sponsorship of the Committee on Ethnic, Racial, and Gender Equity (CERGE) within the Department of Social Work. With its own Anti-racism Statement, CERGE affirms that it places DEI at the center of its mission.

Figure 4. Committee on Ethnic, Racial, and Gender Equity (CERGE) anti-racism statement.

To ensure all parties are speaking the same language, CERGE provides the “AIDE Glossary” to define terms such as anti-racism, social justice, and Critical Race Theory.

Figure 5. From the Committee on Ethnic, Racial, and Gender Equity (CERGE) AIDE Glossary.

Finally, the CHHS urges students, faculty, and staff to sign the Wildcat Pledge to UNITE Against Racism. Signers vow to “do the work” to educate themselves on their biases, “have the conversation,” strive to be more inclusive in their education, and thank those who correct their mistakes so they can “do better.”

Figure 6. Wildcat Pledge to UNITE Against Racism.

New Hampshire residents and policymakers need to hold the UNH College of Health and Human Services accountable for the divisive philosophies it is indoctrinating its students into at the expense of state taxpayers.

Is your school subscribing to woke ideologies that promote divisive attitudes? Do No Harm wants to hear from you via our secure platform.