Updates

Implementation of Embedding Equity, Access and Inclusion

Nov. 16, 2022 update

Related to Action 1.2 (Develop capacity for critical dialogue and leadership to guide organizational change), Action 2.2 (Address and increase representation among faculty and staff), Action 5.3 (Create opportunities to promote diversity in science) and Action 5.4 (Broaden the scope of recognition and acknowledgment)

In support of our value on enhancing the leadership of individuals who previously or currently identify as women, we launched the College of Science Gender Equity in Leadership Fund – made possible by a generous donor. This award will provide accepted faculty with a $3,000 stipend to develop projects related to our mission that enable leadership skills and opportunities for faculty members who previously or currently identify as women in the College. Awardees will be selected by the COS Gender Equity Committee.

June 23, 2022 update

Related to Action 4.1 (Establish partnerships and pipelines for minoritized communities) and Action 4.4 (Enhance global perspectives and experiences)

College of Science co-sponsored the annual Ettihad Cultural Festival

Related to Action 3.2 (Broaden the ‘image’ of a scientist) and Action 3.3 (Promote learning opportunities around intersectional issues)

Gender Equity Committee organized, supported and promoted a screening of 'Picture a Scientist' in cooperation with Integrative Biology graduate students

Related to Action 4.2 (Enhance undergraduate and graduate education)

College of Science supported and promoted the Taste of the Ocean event led by Francis Chan

April 25, 2022 update

Related to Action 1.1 (Create a College of Science Equity, Access and Inclusion (EAI) Program)

Kameron Kadooka has been hired as the inaugural director of Equity, Access and Inclusion.

Related to Action 1.3 (Conduct a baseline data analysis)

The EAI Leadership Council and Equity Data Collection sub-committee has developed a set of guiding questions for data collection regarding the success and equity of minoritized students, faculty and staff.
The Equity Data Collection sub-committee has begun collecting baseline data on minoritized student admissions and enrollment, retention, attrition rates and graduation rates.

Related to Action 2.1 (Develop holistic admissions criteria)

The EAI Leadership Council has started to collect feedback and information regarding the graduate admissions process in each department. In partnership with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, the EAI Leadership Council will develop and provide holistic admissions recommendations to college leadership.

Related to Action 3.2 (Broaden the ‘image’ of a scientist), Action 3.3 (Promote learning opportunities around intersectional issues) and Action 4.1 (Establish partnerships and pipelines for minoritized communities)

Lead by the Associate Director for Student Engagement, the College of Science convened its first gathering of affinity based, science related student clubs and organizations with the goal of developing a student council comprised of representatives from each club/organization.

Related to Action 4.2 (Enhance undergraduate and graduate education), Action 3.3 (Promote learning opportunities around intersectional issues) and Action 3.4 (Enhance and equalize the student experience)

The EAI Leadership Council is working to develop both process and content recommendations to standardize EAI training for all graduate students.

Related to Action 5.2 (Communicate progress and challenges)

The EAI Leadership Council has started to collect and inventory the EAI actions taken on by COS departments. Once compiled, these actions will be mapped to the DAP, provided to the community via the EAI website and regularly updated.

February 23, 2022 update

Related to Action 1.1 (Create a College of Science Equity, Access and Inclusion (EAI) Program)

The search for a permanent director is underway with interviews scheduled over the next week
Formal charges and membership of the Leadership Council, the Equity Data Collection Committee and the Gender Equity Committee are posted and the groups have begun working
All units have EAI committees with representation on the Leadership Council

Related to Action 5.1 (Create a transparent implementation process of the DAP)

A updated diversity-focused part of the college website now provides visibility for the DAP and other diversity-related resources for all College of Science community members.
The new website also provides a prominent easy to use feedback collection tool to collect ideas, observations, ideas and suggestions related to EAI as well as reports of positive and negative experiences. Input is collected via a branded Qualtrics survey rather than a Drupal webform to avoid storing possibly confidential information on the College of Science website.

Related to Action 5.2 (Communicate progress and challenges)

The new website also contains a place for announcements from the director of EAI.

Related to Action 5.3 (Create opportunities to promote diversity in science)

The new website also features a button linking to EAI-relevant events across campus
One upcoming COS sponsored event is a March 8 “Change-makers in Science” presentation and panel discussion on the occasion of “International Women’s Day”

Related to Action 5.4 (Broaden the scope of recognition and acknowledgment)

This year, selection committees for the College of Science awards included an Equity Advocate

October 2021 Update

Implement Action 1.1 which includes establishing an EAI Leadership Council charged to lead, facilitate and monitor implementation of the program throughout the College, and beginning the process for hiring an EAI Program Director.

Kameron Kadooka, coordinator for OSU’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), has been named interim director for Equity, Access and Inclusion (EAI). Andy Karplus, university distinguished professor of biochemistry and biophysics, will serve as part-time as associate director. Kadooka will continue as LSAMP program coordinator, taking on the interim directorship on a part-time basis for up to six months while the College conducts an open, external search for a permanent EAI director.

Kameron Kadooka will lead the EAI Leadership Council, charged to implement the DAP. A subcommittee on gender equity, chaired by Associate Director of Student Engagement Gabs James, will help ensure equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for people of all genders. A second subcommittee on equity data collection will be chaired by Tze-Yiu Yong, project manager for the College. The formal charges for these subcommittees are still under development.

Event: In-person launches of the Diversity Action Plan are planned for faculty and staff (October 7) and students (October 12)

Event: Graduate Student Appreciation Night (October 14) is planned to recognize and show appreciation for College of Science graduate students and also introduce the Diversity Action Plan.