To the Board of Trustees of Tufts University:
This petition of the undersigned members of the Tufts University student body respectfully submits:
THAT women make up approximately fifty-one percent (51%) of the population in Middlesex County while blacks or African-Americans represent almost 10% of the Commonwealth’s population and labor force;
THAT African-American participation and especially female participation in construction work occurring on University property is minimal if not all-but-nonexistent, reflecting a lack of commitment by the University to supporting the principles of diversity and equity;
THAT registered apprenticeship programs in the construction trades are a proven means to recruiting, training, and retaining especially female construction workers as well as African-American construction workers in Massachusetts; and
THAT female participation in construction trades’ registered apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts is almost triple the national average and the highest rate in the nation[1].
WHEREUPON, the undersigned request and call upon the Board of Trustees to take immediate action to increase female participation and African-American (black) participation in construction work occurring on University property by henceforth requiring all general contractors or subcontractors of a contractor, of whatever tier, engaged in on-site construction work with a value of $10 million or more on University property, to maintain or participate in a bona fide apprenticeship training program that is approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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[1] https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/02/business/movement-is-building-get-women-into-construction/#:~:text=women%20of%20color.-,In%20Massachusetts%2C%20more%20than%2010%20percent%20of%20participants%20in%20building,a%20local%20construction%20industry%20collaborative.