Department of Chemistry Diversity Statement
The Department of Chemistry welcomes students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds, which includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, veteran status, marital status, socioeconomic level, national origin, religious belief, physical ability, sexual orientation, age, class, political ideology, gender identity and expression. We strive to create a sense of community that facilitates the development of people for others.
The department will actively address procedural and structural challenges related to diversity of faculty, staff, and students. We will provide equitable opportunities for advancement and continuation of their degrees and careers. We will foster a sense of inclusiveness by intentionally pursuing the thoughts and opinions of people, particularly from under-represented and marginalized communities. The department will support this process by promoting institutional policies, procedures, and initiatives that maintain accountability for diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels and across programs.
Chemistry Department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will facilitate opportunities and create accountability for fostering an inclusive environment that embraces diversity.
Our areas of action include:
Inform
The committee will produce an annual climate report and present it to faculty at the retreat. The DEI committee will seek Input from search committees, graduate/undergraduate student data, seminar organizers, etc. Each report will outline outstanding challenges and progress related to the DEI climate of the department. A summary will be included in the department’s newsletter and website.
Advise
The DEI committee will advise on new and existing Department, College, and University wide policies on their relevance to DEI. This includes making recommendations on DEI challenges for program review, recruitment, and the hiring process. Based on the climate report, the committee will make recommendations for the implementation and improvement of policies.
Support
The committee will foster community through encouraging interactions among stakeholders. Examples include hosting social gatherings, exploring supplementary advising, and diversifying study groups. The committee will distribute educational materials and organize seminars to increase awareness of best practices in DEI research.