As the University System of Maryland leadership previously stated, we believe that public colleges and universities are obligated to help end inequity and to promote social justice. UMBC is committed to promoting social justice and taking action to address inequities on our own campus in a number of important ways, including the work being done by UMBC’s new Inclusion Council.
The Inclusion Council was formed to provide advice and guidance to the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) from a variety of perspectives. Members also act as ambassadors for the office across campus, and Inclusion Council meetings provide a venue for discussing equity issues as they arise. The Inclusion Council is made up of students, faculty, staff, and alumni working with the campus community. UMBC’s important Retriever Courage initiative is now a part of the Inclusion Council’s work, which is also being advised by the Retriever Courage Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee.
The Inclusion Council is committed to partnering with the UMBC community. We acknowledge that there are many faculty, staff, and student groups that are already doing important inclusion work in our community and beyond. We believe in the power of collaboration and seek to help elevate and provide space for the important work that is already underway.
The Inclusion Council has launched working groups to gather information, develop recommendations, and propose a plan of action with respect to a number of issues that have been identified by our community as priorities. We encourage UMBC community members from a variety of backgrounds to participate in these working groups. As a community, we plan to draw on the leadership and wisdom of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, many of whom confront these issues every day through their teaching, research, and activism.
Working Groups (and brief description bulleted below)
Working Groups |
Co-Chair |
ECR Liaison |
Communications
|
TBD | TBD |
Alignment of Financial Decisions and Values
|
TBD | TBD |
Land Acknowledgment and Indigenous Inclusion
|
TBD | TBD |
Disability Issues |
TBD | TBD |
Spiritual and Religious Belonging |
TBD
|
TBD
|
Conflict Resolution/ Restorative Practices
|
TBD | TBD |
Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Interpersonal Violence
|
TBD | TBD |
Faculty and Staff Diversity, Recruitment, Retention, Belonging
|
TBD | TBD |
Queer and Trans Life at UMBC |
TBD | TBD |
We will continue these important conversations and invite all to share their thoughts about the efforts these working groups will undertake through ecr@umbc.edu. For more resources on inclusive excellence in action, please visit the ECR website.