Introduction.
We are the School of Natural Sciences at the University of California, Merced. An important part of our mission is to train the next generation of scientifically and technologically literate students from diverse backgrounds that UC Merced was built to serve. We strive to create and maintain an inclusive environment for all, through our teaching, our research, and our mentoring. We welcome the lived experiences and identities of all members of the UC Merced community. We commit to the principles and concepts expressed by both the University of California and UC Merced , including the idea that “Diversity – a defining feature of California’s past, present, and future – refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region, and more.” We believe that an intentional commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion enhances our mission as a scientific institution and provides access and opportunity to all.
Our motivation.
Historically, many individuals and groups have been unfairly blocked from participating in and contributing to the scientific enterprise; the legacy of this injustice can still be seen today. As part of a 21st century research university, the School of Natural Sciences commits to creating an inclusive, fair environment for all, one that enhances and supports diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Diversity broadens the reach and deepens the impact of all activities conducted by the School of Natural Sciences, including scientific inquiry, education, and engagement within the community that we serve.
Our vision.
The human race and the planet face imminent challenges. By creating an inclusive environment that enhances and supports diverse perspectives, we position ourselves to have a better chance to address large-scale, societal challenges. We seek an environment such that people from all backgrounds perceive that joining the School of Natural Sciences – as students, staff, or faculty – is possible. We envision that through pursuit of this goal, we will improve our ability to execute our mission, and ultimately to raise the level of human flourishing in our community and beyond.
Our commitment.
Within the School of Natural Sciences, we will increase, support, and celebrate our diversity with an equitable and inclusive work environment. We will do so by:
- Working against explicit and implicit discrimination and towards a respectful environment where all scholars, staff and students can thrive both professionally and personally.
- Instilling a sense of responsibility for each individual regarding their words and actions, especially while engaging with the School of Natural Sciences’ community of scholars.
- Working with explicit intention to identify and overcome barriers to success and inclusion for minoritized groups.
- Actively engaging in training and reflection to ensure we invite and actively listen to those whose voices and perspectives have been unfairly disregarded.
- Encouraging civil discourse, recognizing that being able to disagree and have intellectual debates is part of the process of discovery.
We value all people and the positive contributions they make to the School of Natural Sciences. More than just seeking fairness and equal opportunity in the work that we do, we strive to recognize, acknowledge, and respect everyone’s unique lived experience and perspective as we work collaboratively to advance the mission of the School of Natural Sciences.
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[1] In early 2018, Prof. Arnold Kim (in his role as Faculty Equity Advisor for SNS) and Prof. Dan Edwards conceived of the notion that SNS should have a statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They organized three externally facilitated discussions and used notes from those meetings to draft a statement in the spring of 2018. They then sought approval of this document through NSEC. Prof. Erik Menke (NSEC Chair in AY 2018-19) requested feedback from SNS faculty on October 16, 2018 and circulated the compiled results on December 10, 2018. Professors Edwards and Kim submitted a revised statement to the NSEC in November of 2019. The statement was discussed but inadvertently fell off NSEC’s agenda in early 2020.
On January 27, 2021, Dean Dumont asked the NSEC to revisit and approve the statement. NSEC (chaired by Prof. Harish S. Bhat in AY 2020-21) produced a revision in mid-February that was presented at the Long-Range Planning meeting on February 18, 2021. Attendees offered further suggestions, including sending the statement to UC Merced’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI). In mid-March, the statement was revised again based on the Long-Range Planning group’s comments and the OEDI. NSEC approved the revised statement, which was then sent to the broader SNS community for feedback along with the JEDI Task Force Report. Based on that feedback, final revisions were completed by the SNS JEDI task force and approved by Dean Dumont.
For a more complete explanation of the terms and principles covered here, please visit the UC Merced Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion .
