In order to achieve inclusion for all students, faculty and staff, we are committed to the foundational scientific practice of examining assumptions and biases. We believe that a self-aware science community, active institutional efforts and individual advocacy will help remove barriers for the success of all community members across differences, including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and socioeconomic status or background.

• Overview of CBS DEIJ efforts
• News and events from the CBS Connect blog
• Improving Campus Climate news and perspectives

• Resources for Students
  • CBS Affinity Groups — Undergraduate student group meets weekly during the fall and spring semesters.
  • Identity-based programs across the U

   

  Featured conferences/professional communities:

  • The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) — Conference, virtual programming and community for underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
  • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) — An inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.

   
• Resources for Faculty and Staff
  • Faculty & staff workshops — Office of Equity and Diversity
  • Faculty & staff afinity groups — Hosted by the Officer of Equity and Diverstiy
  • Diversity Community of Practice — A grassroots community of faculty and staff. 
  • Faculty Fighting Racism — Faculty Fighting Racism was created by the Graduate School Diversity Consultation Team as a first step in the process of understanding what it means to be anti-racist.
  • UMN's Center for Teaching and Learning, GLBT classroom resources for faculty
  • Equity and diversity in the search process toolkit
  • ASM Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education Special Issue: Inclusive Science, published February 2020
  • Teaching With Intention: Facilitating Challenging Conversations in the Classroom 
• Anti-Racism Resources

  See anti-racist resources compiled from several entities: 

  • College of Biological Sciences
  • Minnesota Student Association
  • University of Minnesota Alumni Association
• University and College Programs
  • Office of Equity & Diversity
  • University of Minnesota Women's Center
  • Disability Resources
  • President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 
  • NIH IRACDA Training Research-Educators in Minnesota Program
  • Faculty Fellows for Inclusive Excellence
• College Initiatives

  Spring 2022

  The CBS DEIJ Community of Practice awarded funds for 17 proposals in varying amounts totaling more than $75,000 provided by the CBS Dean’s Office. The grants will support projects across the college that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. The awards support efforts across departments and include programs and projects led by graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and staff. Learn more

  Fall 2021

  The College launched a community of practice to facilitate information sharing and action teams inform efforts to implement several of the recommendations presented last spring.

  DEIJ Action Teams

  Beginning in fall 2021, DEIJ action teams will do a deep dive collecting and analyzing information, identifying opportunities and laying out next steps. The teams, made up of volunteers from across the college, will focus on the following priorities:

  • Increase the representational diversity through recruitment and retention strategies.
  • Align incentives and recognition as a reflection of our values. 
  • Promote and develop inclusive teaching practices.  

  The teams will work with dean’s office staff members and other stakeholders to implement changes and develop new initiatives that support progress on these priorities. Teams will meet monthly through June. Volunteers are encouraged to secure approval from their supervisor as needed.

  DEIJ Community of Practice

  The College’s DEIJ Community of Practice (CBS DCoP) is modeled on the University’s Diversity Community of Practice (DCoP). Departments and units within the college selected representatives to participate. Learn more

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  Spring 2021

  The College convened two working groups and help a town hall to discuss recommendations for addressing racism and inequities.

  CBS Virtual Town Hall

  • Watch the webinar
  • Review answers to some of the questions from the town hall
  • Dean Forbes' Anti-Racism Town Hall Follow-Up Message

  CBS Anti-Racism Working Group

  Formed in June 2020, the group is comprised of faculty, staff and students charged with identifying structures and processes in CBS that reinforce systemic racism, surveying the current landscape of anti-racist work in the College and developing a roadmap for moving this work forward at the collegiate level. Read the College of Biological Sciences Anti-Racism Work Group Recommendations 

  Alumni Anti-Racism Council

  Starting in mid-2020, a handful of CBS alumni established the Alumni Anti-Racism Council to discuss racism and how race-related issues within the College impact students. Read their letter to Dean Forbes, written on Friday, December 4, 2020

   

Equity and Diversity Awards

College of Biological Sciences faculty, staff and students have made an impact on campus and in the community advancing equity and diversity work. Below are some of the recipients of these members of our collegiate community who received accolades for their work.   

• Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award

  2019: Issra Hussein, Meredith Song, Destiny Weaver, Xianyi Xiong

  2018: Emmanuel Okematti

  2017: Leah Alemu, Bennett Olupo

  2016: Kyle Lau

  2012: Hai Nguyen-Tran

  2011: Nora Ali, Allan Kerandi, Suresh Pavuluri

  2010: Damé Idossa, Jennifer Nicklay

  2009: Ifeanyi Anwah, Thuy Nguyen-Tran, Yee Xiong

• Office for Equity and Diversity Transformation Award

  2013: "Fostering a Self-Reflective Community" - CBS Grassroots Diversity Collaborative

• GLBTA Leadership Award

  2012: Dr. Sehoya Cotner

• Breaking the Silence Award

  Daniel Nidzgorski (MN Queer Science)

• Access Achievement Award

  Dr. Paul Siliciano