UMass Boston Social Justice Case Study Competition
Welcome to the UMass Boston Social Justice Case Study Competition! Aimed at generating new understanding about the lived experiences of diverse college students, this competition is a city-wide initiative that helps advance UMass Boston's goal of becoming a leading anti-racist and health-promoting campus.
The purpose of the social justice case study competition is to provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students at UMass Boston to work together to create new knowledge related to issues involving bias, discrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusivity as it relates to the college experience.
The competition will take place in one phase.
Social Justice Case Study Response Competition
Entrants will be asked to respond to a case study that illuminates the experience of students of color related to student services, engagement, and support, with particular attention given to students at non-predominately white institutions. All case study responses should be written from the perspective of an administrator of a college/university (i.e. Dean, Vice President, Chancellor, etc.).
Please see below for more details regarding the competition. Upon submission, all entries become the property of UMass Boston for qualified use within the institution’s website and other channels/platforms.
What problem does the UMass Boston Social Justice Case Study Competition help solve? Why is this competition important?
A lack of tailored scholarship/practice addressing social justice and equity-based assessment that illuminates the experience of students of color related to student services, engagement, and support, with particular attention given to students at non-predominately white institutions. This issue presents blind spots for well-intentioned administrators seeking to implement inclusive engagement, equitable professional practice, and student success opportunities.
Goals
- Provide the UMass Boston campus and the Boston higher education community an opportunity to engage more deeply with the issues of social justice, epistemology, and the experience of students of color influenced by the dual pandemics of racism and COVID-19. This engagement is essential to promote higher levels of student sentiment related to safety, which has been continually challenged by historic inequities and current events.
- Present in new ways UMass Boston’s commitment and leadership in being a leading health promoting, anti-racist campus to external stakeholders and partners.
- Present in new ways the Division of Student Affairs’ Equity and Justice imperative to internal stakeholders and partners.
- Provide opportunities to celebrate staff/faculty/student excellence in the mission critical area of social justice.
UMB Social Justice Case Study Response Competition
Registration is open Tuesday, January 27, 2023 through Monday, February 27, 2023 or until registration is full. It is highly recommended that prospective entrants complete the registration form as soon as possible.
Eligibility
- No entry fee is required to participate.
- All entrants must be an undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
- Entrants must register for this response stage of the competition either as an individual or in a team of 2, 3, or 4. Only one submission is required for each team.
- All appropriate parties will be notified of their ineligibility or approved status via email as it relates to their standing within the competition.
- All registered teams that have been accepted into this stage of the competition will be emailed further directions and updates before the start of the competition.
- Registered teams admitted to the competition will have from Monday, February 27, 2023 through Friday, March 25, 2023 to submit their responses through the proper channel by following the corresponding directions/guidelines for submission.
Prizes
- 1st Place: $1,000 and physical award
- 2nd Place: $400 and physical award
- 3rd Place: Physical award
- (Physical award consists of plaque or medal; Cash prizes will be split among team members.)
Click here to register for the UMass Boston Social Justice Case Study Response Competition.
FAQs
What is a social justice case study competition?
A case study is a comprehensive analysis of a specific case within a real-world context. Additionally, it allows all parties within a structure/organization/group to evaluate how potential solutions address the needs and problems that are presented within the case study. This case study competition is centered around the topic of social justice as it relates to the lived experience of diverse college students within a campus setting. Finally, this particular case study competition is a one stage contest where eligible entrants can come together to compete with one another to create the best solution to a case study within the rules and guidelines of the competition set out by the project organizer.
What is the purpose of this competition?
The purpose of the social justice case study competition is to provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students at UMass Boston to work together to create new knowledge related to issues involving bias, discrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusivity as it relates to the college experience.
How will the competition be judged?
A judging panel will determine the winners for each stage/sub-competition with the use of a judging rubric, and based on predefined criteria.
Who should I contact if I have a question?
When will I hear back regarding my submission?
Thank you to all of our UMass Boston sponsors and partners! Special thanks to Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mike Metzger, our Social Justice Communications Coordinator Kaya Willingham, The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost, and the Chancellor's Office.
The project organizer and founder of the UMass Boston Social Justice Case Study Competition is Pilar Nelson, community director in the Office of Housing and Residential Life.
Please email sjcomp@umb.edu for all questions/inquiries regarding the competition.