Representatives from Unicamp's Central Administration and entities linked to the Black Movement that operate at the University met this Wednesday afternoon (5) to discuss actions aimed at combating racism in the academic sphere. Upon learning of the entities' demands, rector Marcelo Knobel, who participated in the meeting, stated that the agenda presented by the collectives is common to the institution's interests. “Unicamp’s Central Administration considers any racist or intolerance demonstrations and behaviors unacceptable,” he declared, reaffirming his previously expressed position.
When opening the meeting, Marcelo Knobel asked those present to offer suggestions for initiatives to combat racism, in addition to those that Unicamp already adopts. Representatives of the Black Movement expressed concern about the occurrence of recent episodes of this type and presented some requests. One of them refers to the request for rectification, by the University, of the Police Report recorded on the occasion of the Nazi graffiti carried out in mid-August in spaces in the library of the Institute of Language Studies (IEL), Institute of Geosciences ( IG), Central Library (BC) and Basic Cycle (CB).
In the document, the act was classified as “vandalism”, but the collectives understand that what happened was a clear manifestation of racism. Representatives of the Black Movement also demanded the installation of a Working Group (GT), with the participation of several actors linked to the issue, which has the task of proposing measures to prevent and combat racism at Unicamp. Among the issues to be considered by the GT are the creation of action protocols and guidance for professionals who become aware of cases of racism.
Finally, the University was asked to open an Administrative Process against the former student suspected of having painted Nazi graffiti on the premises of the units and bodies. The objective, according to representatives of the collectives, is that, if he is held responsible for the crime, the information will be attached to his Academic Record (RA). Such a procedure would be especially important, they claimed, in the event that this person re-enters the institution via the entrance exam.
Marcelo Knobel informed that he will ask the Attorney General's Office (PG) to verify the possibility of rectifying the BO with the Civil Police. “If this is possible, we will make the request immediately.” The rector also made the commitment to install the GT to combat racism, noting that acts of discrimination and intolerance will also be the subject of reflection and action within the sphere of the future Secretariat for Affirmative Actions, Diversity and Equity, a body that is in the structuring phase. Regarding the opening of an Administrative Process against the former student suspected of carrying out Nazi demonstrations, the director committed to consulting the PG regarding this possibility.
At the end of the meeting, Marcelo Knobel once again said that he shares the concerns presented by the representatives of the Black Movement. “I don’t see any point in the agenda presented by you that distances us. On the contrary, we share the same position. Our objectives are common and I hope that we can jointly build the necessary conditions to make respect for diversity a value for Unicamp”, he stated. In addition to the rector, other members and advisors from the Central Administration participated in the meeting.
