DIVERSITY , EQUITY , INCLUSION
Transforming the Way OS Addresses DEI Work
The events of the past year created a watershed moment in which the systemic inequities in the US were placed squarely in the spotlight . The pandemic has disproportionately impacted the mental and physical health and economic status of communities of color . The continuation of police violence led to greater community response to the murders of Black citizens across the country . The transition to remote work and learning highlighted the inequity of access to education in an online format , placing less privileged individuals behind those with better computing equipment and stronger access to the internet . Organizational Studies chose this year to address with a greater fervor the issues of diversity , equity , and inclusion in our own unit .
Just as the launch of OS was initiated by student demand for the major , students led the way in addressing DEI issues . Past student recruitment teams focused their efforts on targeting students who were historically under-represented in the program .
In 2013 , the student organization , Organizational Diversity Initiative ( ODI ), was founded , and added an application workshop to recruitment efforts , in addition to addressing inclusion inside and outside the classroom . This past year , the faculty agreed to formalize efforts beyond the student level by launching the OS DEI committee . This committee will consist of six members : two faculty , two staff , and two students proactively working to improve diversity , equity and inclusion in the program ; ensuring communication between faculty , staff , and students around DEI concerns ; and responding to new DEI issues as they arise .
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