DEI Committee

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statements & Actions

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Inequity and exclusion are antithetical to academic values and innovative science.

We, the department of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University, believe that diversity is fundamental to good science. We define diversity as differences within a group of people resulting from demographic characteristics, cultural identities and ethnicities, and training and expertise (NSF). 

We strive to make changes that  will effectively attract and retain a diversity of people  to our department and to Biology more broadly. We recognize that efforts have not been sufficient and that we must identify and eliminate the biases and inequalities that deter the creation of diverse communities in our discipline. We have much to learn and much work to do and it will require an ongoing and sustained effort.  

To create a wholly welcoming environment for all students, faculty, postdoctoral associates and staff, our recently established permanent departmental committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will work to:

• Educate faculty, staff and research and teaching mentors on equitable and inclusive practices;
• Create mechanisms for addressing concerns about discrimination that will be safe, confidential, supportive, and accountable;
• Identify staff and faculty representatives who are versed in navigating the institutional mechanisms and offices for seeking redress;
• Amplify the voices and contributions by marginalized groups in our department’s courses, discussion groups, and seminar series;
• Collaborate with biology student organizations and University-level committees to identify needs and make effective structural changes in the Department and University;
• Promote opportunities and resources to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion to members of the department;
• Strengthen diversity within the department by increasing recruitment and retention efforts specifically focused on marginalized groups;
• Listen to concerns presented to us in a thoughtful manner, reflect on Biology’s historical role in perpetuating inequality and exclusion, and work to do better in the future.

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Here is a link to details of our semester action plan. This will be updated each semester.

Your input and ideas are encouraged and welcomed.

Adopted by the Department of Biological Sciences ad hoc committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, July 8, 2020

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Current Members

Heather Fiumera (Co-Chair), Kirsten Prior (Co-Chair), Anne Clark, Laura Cook, Josh Demarree, Jessica Hua, Miranda Kearney, Claudia Marques, Laura Musselman, Erica Stephens, Michelle Withers, Justin Mann, Robert Bills

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DEI Events