Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Commission

Mission Statement:

Our mission statement reads as follows: We, the DEI Commission, strive to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion via advocacy and initiatives across Rice’s campus. This way, everyone on campus feels advocated for. We will strive to support various affinity groups and campus events by collaborating closely with the Office of AIE and student leadership. If you are passionate about advocating for a safer, more inclusive campus, join the DEI committee! Any questions? Contact me at Vd33@rice.edu

Goals/Projects: 

• Recommend changes in CDOD curriculum to make it more inclusive and effective at engaging students in critical dialogues surrounding diversity

• Propose changes in syllabi across campus to make them more inclusive to our diverse student population

• Gender diversity addendum

• Absences related to transitioning addendum

• Recommend changes in O-Week advisor training doorjams to better train advisors for complex DEI-related situations where they may have to step in

• Proposing suggestions to faculty senate about having more transgender/GNC student inclusive housing at res colleges/on campus. Request to review architectural plans for new res colleges to incorporate more inclusive housing within them

• Collaborate with DEI to develop a more robust training for faculty cultural competency (collaboration w Avery Hartwell)

• Collaborate with H&D, OISS, and various cultural clubs to promote events for major cultural holidays.

• Develop a “Racism in Healthcare” certificate for pre-medical students/students interested in medical careers to give them a more thorough understanding of the importance of DEI in healthcare

• Collaborate with Rice PRIDE to host an LGBTQ+ Screw-yer-Roomate!!

• Look for and advocate for ways to make O-Week more inclusive as a whole

Every goal/project will be assigned to its own subcommittee consisting of 1-2 heads and 3-4 members, at a minimum.

Subcommittees from last year that we will likely be carrying forward (given member interest):

• O-Week/AT inclusivity/doorjams and CDOD

• Transgender/GNC student inclusive housing (+ LGBTQ+ screw planning if PRIDE wants to collab)

• International/cultural affinity

• Faculty cultural competency + racism in healthcare certificate

Minimum/Maximum Number of Members:

• Minimum: 7

• Maximum: 12

Criteria for Selecting Members:

• Displayed interest and passion for DEI issues

• Time and willingness (especially if they apply to be a subcommittee head)

Excused vs Unexcused Absences for Meetings

• Excused if notified at least 24 hours in advance with a valid reason (sickness, mandatory appointment that is not recurring during the same time, etc.) OR if an emergency

• Unexcused if not notified at least 24 hours in advance

• More than 3 unexcused absences → removed from commission

Where/How often meetings will take place:

• Commission-wide meetings weekly in Murt PDR

• Sub-committee meetings are up to the sub-committee head’s discretion (either weekly or bi-weekly)

• Day of the week/time will be finalized via whentomeet once commission members are finalized

• Communication Methods:

• GroupMe/text for quick communication

• Emails for general announcements/larger discussions

• All documents will be stored in Google Drive

Chair vs. Vice Chair Responsibilities:

• Chair will fulfill all responsibilities outlined in terms of communication with IVP/SA

• Chair and Vice Chair will split all directly commission-related responsibilities evenly

• Chair and Vice Chair will communicate with each other as tasks come up