Q&A

Kelly and Craig want to make sure no other children and their families have to go through what the Robinsons did. When Kelly and Craig voiced concerns to USM about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the school, their children – who were model students – were summarily dismissed without any explanation. Since then, the Robinsons have learned from other families and alumni that their experience is not unique and that USM has a history of problems when it comes to issues of race and no real commitment to progress when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kelly and Craig feel compelled to do what they can to hold USM accountable.

Unfortunately, the Robinson family has learned that their experience at USM is not unique. They have heard many stories from other USM families and alumni about the school’s concerning history as it relates to race and the toxic culture that persists. Some of those stories are shared on our website. Others can be found at https://www.instagram.com/blackatusm/.

To make meaningful progress toward a USM community where everyone feels like they belong and are respected, Kelly and Craig want USM to take steps including: diversifying the school’s board, administration, and faculty; conducting racial sensitivity training for faculty, administrators, and students; and expanding dedicated funding efforts to support students of underrepresented groups.

Kelly and Craig tried a number of times to engage in productive dialogue with USM. It became very clear that USM is not interested in accepting responsibility for and unwilling to take meaningful action to address the unhealthy environment it has created on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the school. Kelly and Craig felt that they were left with no other recourse but to file a lawsuit against USM for violating its commitments to their family and to the Common Trust.

This is about accountability, fairness, and doing what is right. Kelly and Craig feel a responsibility to other families to do what they can to force USM to confront and address its troubling history, toxic culture, and current practices. They also want to show their children that it is important to stand up for themselves and engage in the ongoing struggle against injustice.

The Robinsons encourage USM students, alumni, parents of current or former students, and anyone else with whom their story resonates to sign their Call to Action Letter. Kelly and Craig also welcome you to join the conversation by sharing your own experiences as a student or parent of a student who has been unjustly treated or experienced bias at USM or another school.