This is the vision cast in the preamble of the South Texas Community of Respect Pledge shared with faculty, staff, and students this fall. The pledge is among the first initiatives of STCL Houston’s new Office of Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Justice, and Engagement.
The program is a critical component of the law school’s strategic vision to support a student body that reflects the demographics of the Houston community — which last year officially became the most ethnically diverse city in America, according the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Most importantly, it is a natural progression of the institution’s mission, of which diversity and opportunity are cornerstones.
“One of the hallmarks of South Texas is its inclusive, welcoming community,” President and Dean Michael Barry said in a May 2020 memo announcing the launch of the program. “Maintaining that community — and enhancing it further —cannot be left to chance, but must be fostered and intentional.”
Barry appointed Professor Shelby Moore to lead the charge as the vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Moore has been a member of the South Texas faculty since 1992, during which time she has taught Criminal Law, Property, Torts, and the Politics of Race in America. She also has served as chair of the Academic Assistance Advisory Committee, which focuses on creating new and innovative ways to assist students academically, professionally, and personally. She is well-known among the campus community for her commitment to inclusivity and her dedication to mentoring students, graduates, and colleagues — all of whom offered enthusiastic endorsements for her leadership of this important endeavor.
“I am truly honored by the opportunity to lead such a critical program,” Moore said. “And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the law school’s approaching centennial than to renew our commitment to such meaningful ideals as diversity, equity, and inclusion.”In early fall 2020, Moore began assembling a broad-basedcoalition of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members to oversee the program. The committee will provideleadership and support to advance the law school’s ongoing efforts to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of the South Texas community and to promote a culture of empathy, accountability and respect. The committee’s first task will be to complete a review of the law school’s policies, procedures, curricula, and programs to identify what is working and to identify areas for innovation and improvement.
In addition to the Community of Respect Pledge, the Office introduced an implicit bias training module to this year’s 1L orientation. Students were encouraged to take at least one Implicit Association Test (IAT) prior to the session. Developed by researchers at Harvard University, the IAT measures potentiallyunconscious attitudes and beliefs about others based on race, religion, gender orientation, sexual orientation, disability, and weight. During the session, Moore and alumnus Judge Peter Estrada ’88 drove home the importance of self-awareness and empathy in the practice of law.
“It’s not enough to be diverse and inclusive,” Moore declared. “As attorneys, we have to be equitable. This is not about political correctness. Political correctness does not require critical thinking.It demands that you ascribe to rigid boundaries around your words and actions.
“We want to train you to know yourself, to know whichassumptions have the potential to jeopardize your pursuit of justice. Implicit bias is a risk to your success. If you make assumptions about your client or your competition, you’ve already put yourself at a disadvantage.”
Moore and Barry’s long-term vision includes a comprehensive slate of educational programs, research projects, and training opportunities that will engage the entire law school community. They also have plans to extend their efforts beyond the campus walls, serving as a resource for law firms, nonprofit organizations, and other educational institutions.
“It’s important to exemplify our values inside our building,” Moore said. “But true success demands that we bring as many people as possible along for this journey. We are the guardians of justice. So, we need to be the standard bearers for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”