Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Department of Mathematics affirms the core values described in the University of Colorado Boulder's Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics Plan (IDEA).  Diversity is meant to include, but not be limited to, diversity with respect to cultural differences, race/ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, (dis)ability, creed, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, class, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy.

The Department of Mathematics decries the historic exclusion and marginalization of groups and of individuals in the mathematical sciences. We recognize that this exclusion and marginalization is not only a thing of the past, but that it continues to happen today, not only on the international and national levels, but also at CU Boulder and in our department. We also acknowledge that  exclusion harms students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups by denying students opportunities to learn from role models who represent diverse cultural perspectives.  

The Department of Mathematics believes that mathematical talent is equally present in people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We have a responsibility to increase structural support to help this diverse talent flourish, thereby making mathematics more just and equitable for all students, faculty, and staff. By including the perspectives and understandings of different cultures, we learn to value different ways of thinking and ways of being that are not necessarily our own.  Considering more diverse perspectives will enrich the culture of mathematics as a whole, and lead to new ways of thinking about problems.

The Department of Mathematics is committed to address and assess wrongs by taking concrete actions and implementing programming and initiatives centered on providing equal opportunities for students, faculty, and staff of all identities on campus. Equitable inclusion requires  continually questioning our ideas regarding excellence and how we measure it. The Department of Mathematics makes a commitment to question its practices and to educate its members, in particular with regards to issues that impact members of historically excluded groups. We envision an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and supportive mathematical community at CU Boulder, and make a commitment to continue building a welcoming and positive space where faculty, staff, and students of all identities feel safe and thrive.

Organizations we sponsor

We are a Participating Sponsor for the Edge Program whose goal is to "strengthen the ability of women to pursue careers in mathematical research and education, and to place more women in visible leadership roles in the mathematics community".
We are a Silver Member of the Math Alliance, an organization whose goal ensure that "every underrepresented or underserved American student with the talent and the ambition has the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in a mathematical or statistical science".
We are an institutional member of the Association for Women in Mathematics, an organization dedicated to supporting women in mathematics.