A Message from the Director of AdvanceRIT | 2020 Academic Year End Newsletter
Since the semester ended, AdvanceRIT has hosted two in-person promotion retreats. Being together with colleagues, reconnecting, establishing new connections, seeing smiles not hidden behind masks or on a screen: the feeling of community was palpable. It has me hopeful and looking forward to the next academic year.
This was a challenging year. I want to recognize the work and support from the Council for the Representation & Engagement of Women Faculty (CREW). CREW serves as the faculty advisory board to AdvanceRIT. This group reviewed faculty data (recruitment data, COACHE survey results, and Faculty of the Future survey) and made recommendations to leadership on ways RIT can better recruit, retain and advance women faculty. They also provided guidance and support for AdvanceRIT programming efforts.
I am proud of the accomplishments made by the AdvanceRIT team this year. Highlights include:
- Re-established of the Women of Color faculty initiative in the AdvanceRIT office. We are working with a newly established advisory board with plans to launch related programmatic activities next academic year.
- A new Modification of Duties policy for the birth or adoption of a child. This policy was based on the efforts of the Family Leave Taskforce and based on foundational work done by Women in Science (WISe).
- Advocating for COVID-19 equity related support for faculty which resulted in RIT’s membership in Care.com, dissemination of strategies for consideration related to equity impact, and development of guidance for COVID-19 impact statements.
- Continuing to connect and support faculty given the obstacles present due to the pandemic. Over 20 women faculty participated in AdvanceRIT Learning Circle; CREW launched a new initiative called CREW Connections for pre-tenured women faculty; and AdvacneRIT facilitated workshops to improve the climate at RIT to over 200 faculty, staff, and students.
I hope that you find time over the summer to refresh and recharge. I look forward to seeing you in the new academic year.
~Betsy
Director of AdvanceRIT