Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Charge

Building on the University’s Task Force on Diversity Report, August 2016, and President McShane’s Response of November 2016, the charge to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council is to facilitate the engagement of each member of the Fordham community around the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in support of a learning environment that:

  • affirms the dignity and uniqueness of each member of our community
  • encourages dialogue as a way to increase awareness and understanding
  • provides everyone with the opportunity to achieve their full potential

Goals

Specific goals of the Council include:

  1. Identify sustainable strategies for educating, engaging and convening all members of the Fordham community to promote dialogue on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion.
     
  2. Identify and promote sustainable strategies to advance DEI at the Fordham.
     
  3. Working with the Chief Diversity officer, develop a high-level strategic roadmap that can be used to guide the efforts of Fordham’s colleges, schools and administrative units.
     
  4. Recommend metrics and monitor evaluate and document Fordham’s progress in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
     
  5. Review university DEI systems, policies and practices and, as needed, recommend specific revisions and changes.
     
  6. Advise on communication strategies to be used with students, faculty, and staff to ensure consistency in messaging.
     
  7. Serve as a forum for consultation on opportunities and issues that arise within the University over time.

View the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Framework.

DEI Council Membership

The Council will consist of 20 individuals representing the range of constituent groups across colleges and schools including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. The Council will be co-chaired by the Chief Diversity Officer and a member of the faculty. The faculty co-chair will be a 2-year appointment made by the President and Chief Diversity Officer. For Fordham’s first DEI Council, the Chief Diversity Officer will work with existing faculty and administrative committees to identify prospective members. An additional goal for the first DEI Council will be to advise the Chief Diversity Officer on a process for identifying, inviting, and onboarding future members. For this first DEI Council faculty and staff members are expected to serve a 2-year term. Students are expected to serve a 1-year term.

View the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council Members.

Meetings

The Diversity Council will meet five times during the academic year – two times between September – December and three times between January – May.