Since the first day of his tenure on July 1, UMD President Darryll J. Pines has spoken of the urgency of addressing two simultaneous and intertwined pandemics: the public health challenge of COVID-19; and the ongoing pain and suffering caused by a racially unequal society. 

Neither, of course, can be solved in a few months, but several initiatives are underway at the university to come closer to fulfilling its mission of fostering a "diverse, united, proud and empowered community of people from every background who work positively to impact our globally connected society."

Some projects acknowledge how, like many of our country's institutions and organizations, the University of Maryland has not always met those standards; other efforts will give students, faculty and staff who may have not felt seen or heard more support and opportunity. And as part of the new TerrapinSTRONG onboarding program, all members of the Terp community will learn how diversity is one of our strengths and essential to a healthy campus climate. 

Next up. A new university-produced "End Racism" PSA video will make its broadcast debut during Maryland's Homecoming football game against Minnesota on Friday night on ESPN. 

Maryland football student-athletes debuted new nameplates on their jerseys, helmet stickers and warm-up shirts to make personal statements about the fight for racial justice before their season opener against Northwestern on Saturday night. The expressions, including "Equality," "Unity, "Justice," "I Got Your Back" and "Speak Up" were created by Maryland student-athletes and reflect the department's commitment to social justice.

Read more about Maryland's new antiracism efforts on Maryland Today.