ATOC Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) understands the importance of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) as they relate to broader issues of systemic inequality, which impacts both educational and scientific goals. Our department is committed to identifying and removing barriers to success (justice), ensuring that all members of our community have the opportunity to reach their full potential (equity), respecting different identities and perspectives (diversity), and deliberately creating a welcoming environment where all differences are valued and everyone can contribute fully (inclusion).
As such, the ATOC JEDI committee has championed a number of changes, including:
- A Graduate Application Fee waiver (since 2020)
- Student-led bias and microaggression seminars for faculty and students (ongoing)
- Student-led mentorship program for applicants to our graduate programs (ongoing)
- Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on serving historically-excluded groups (now NSF-funded) (REU website) (ongoing)
While we understand that these are only small steps in rectifying historical exclusion within the sciences, we continue to strive towards building a more welcoming, respectful and inclusive place.
If you feel that that there are any areas of concern that ATOC should be made aware of, consider contacting the ATOC Department Chair or Graduate Student Advisor; both are committed to providing anonymity when possible (note that they are mandatory reporters). If you are concerned about a situation, but want a second opinion before taking action, the Ombuds Office provides fully confidential services and can assist in this process. Instructions on filing a complaint directly with the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance can be found here.