DeKALB — President Freeman updated the Huskie community Wednesday via an email with steps NIU will take addressing racism. 

“As Huskies, whether within administration, the classroom or the student body, we must all take meaningful, lasting action to model the humanity and positive change we want to see in our nation,” Freeman wrote in the email. 

Freeman said NIU leaders participated in a retreat Tuesday discussing anti-racist approaches to university systems. 

Freeman said the group will review four areas, including: hiring, retention and professional advancement of faculty, scholars, and artists and staff members who are Black, indigenous and people of color, addressing the experience of BIPOC undergraduate and graduate students. 

NIU will also develop a new website highlighting NIU voices. The website will also be used for sharing resources, plans and progress, Freeman wrote. 

“In accordance with our Huskie values, I cannot emphasize enough that we must seek and be strengthened by the diverse experiences of our university community members and relentlessly confront the challenges of systemic racism and structural inequity together,” Freeman wrote.