Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Mandate from Policy B2.0

The Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion shall be responsible for reviewing and, where needed, making policy recommendations concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially regarding the importance of such policies for academic affairs; it shall serve as a clearing house and sponsor for recommendations that can enhance RIT’s success at addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels; it shall consider ways in which Academic Senate’s other standing committees, especially its curricular bodies, can more successfully include and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; it shall work closely with the Division of Diversity and Inclusion to foster a coordinated and collaborative connection between the work of that division and the work and support of academic governance.

The committee shall consist of one faculty member per college, each to be elected by their collegial faculty; one representative (and one alternate) from Student Government (non-voting); one representative from Staff Council (non-voting); the NTID Director of Diversity and Inclusion or their delegate (ex-officio, non-voting); and the RIT Vice President & Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion or their delegate (ex-officio, non-voting).

AY2022 DEIC Charges

1. Assess suggestions and possible implementation strategies as per Curriculum Consultant with respect to ensuring more inclusive curricular offerings, and make recommendations to the Senate as necessary. (Carry-over charge from AY 2021)
2. Explore methods for the retention and advancement of RIT faculty members who represent diverse populations, and make recommendations to Senate as appropriate. (Carry-over charge from AY 2021)
3. Gather information about the kinds of DEI-related activities that faculty include in annual reports of their activities, the ways in which DHs recognize DEI-related activity in annual performance appraisals, and DHs understanding of the role that DEI-related activities play in faculty members’ contribution to the University’s mission.  Based on this information, work with FAC, the Administration, and other entities on campus as needed to develop and propose methods to enable faculty to identify and successfully pursue opportunities to engage in DEI-related work, and to receive appropriate recognition and rewards for their DEI-related work.   Report to Senate with recommendations as appropriate. (Carry-over charge from AY 2021)
4. Consult with appropriate parties to evaluate whether RIT should observe Juneteenth and bring a recommendation and reasoning to the Senate.
5. Explore methods for the retention and advancement of RIT faculty members who represent diverse populations, and make recommendations to the Senate as appropriate.
6. Evaluate and make recommendations as appropriate regarding a means, such as offering some form of course releases, by which diverse faculty are not overburdened by extra service work caused by the university’s interest in having diversity on assorted committees.   
7. Evaluate and make recommendations as appropriate regarding methods of avoiding tokenism in committee dynamics.
8. Consult with the parking and transportation advisory group regarding how to increase the availability, frequency, and accessibility of RIT transportation to and from the city of Rochester, and report to the Senate.
9. Gather information about the kinds of DEI-related activities that faculty include in annual reports of their activities, the ways in which DHs recognize DEI-related activity in annual performance appraisals, and DHs understanding of the role that DEI-related activities play in faculty members’ contribution to the University’s mission. Based on this information, work with FAC, the Administration, and other entities on campus as needed to develop and propose methods to enable faculty to identify and successfully pursue opportunities to engage in DEI-related work, and to receive appropriate recognition and rewards for their DEI-related work. Report to the Senate with recommendations as appropriate.
10. Consider and, where appropriate, recommend how best to ensure that Faculty Senate’s curricular bodies (Gen Ed, ICC, Grad Council) actively encourage, and support where needed, diversity, equity, and inclusion as they review curricula and policies.
11. Develop and present to the Faculty Senate a plan to coordinate the efforts of the various faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion groups on campus.