Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Three significant Supreme Court rulings were handed down that have implications for affirmative action in colleges and universities, LGBTQ rights, and the federal student loan forgiveness program. We understand the concerns that these decisions have created within our community.

We stand in solidarity with the statements made by University of California President Drake and Chancellor Khosla and share a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our university community. We firmly believe that education is a transformative force: it broadens horizons, uplifts social and economic mobility, and positively alters the course of our students' lives, and, by extension, the lives of their families and our entire community.

California's Proposition 209 has been in place since 1996, barring the consideration of race and gender in public college admissions. Despite this constraint, our institution and our colleagues across all UC campuses have been thoughtfully exploring and implementing race-neutral alternatives that allow us to assess the unique context of each applicant. The fruit of these efforts is evident in the significant increase in the diversity of our student body and faculty over the last decade.

We will also continue to work to support LGBTQ+ rights because Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the heart of our core values.

Finally, with respect to the Supreme Court decision on student loan forgiveness, we remain committed to providing affordable, high-quality education and continue to explore multiple ways, including increasing the number of scholarships and fellowships, to help our students.

We welcome ongoing conversations about how we can best support each other. Given the stress caused by these three recent court decisions, we would like to make sure that you know about the counseling services provided by CAPS for students and FSAP for faculty and staff:

• Counseling and Psychological Services for Students (CAPS)
• Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)

Sincerely,

Kit Pogliano
Dean of Biological Sciences

James C. Nieh
Associate Dean

Gentry Patrick, Director of the Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health

In Chancellor Pradeep Khosla’s Strategic Plan for UC San Diego, Diversity is listed as a top priority. The Plan cites as a goal;

Cultivating a diverse and inclusive university community that encourages respectful open dialogue, and challenges itself to take bold actions that will ensure learning is accessible and affordable for all.

In alignment with Chancellor Khosla and his vision for UC San Diego, the School of Biological Sciences considers Diversity as paramount to our success. It is a culture that creates a foundation of respect and provides for vision and innovation within our Division. We believe that diversity and academic excellence are not divergent, but rather greatly depend on each other...

Continue reading Dr. Patrick's vision and goals for diversity in the division.

All members of the School are expected to create and foster a culture of safety, respect and inclusivity, to comply with Regents Policy 1111 (Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct), to cultivate a healthy environment consistent with the University's Principles of Community and the Faculty Code of Conduct. Chairs work with the Faculty and Dean to prevent violations of University policy and respond to allegations of harassment, policy violations or abusive conduct (as defined by Assembly Bill 2053, University policy and the Department Chair's toolkit) consulting with staff in Academic Personnel Services, the Division of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Student Conduct as needed. All members of the School are responsible for promptly reporting allegations of harassment and discrimination based on a protected category to the Title IX Officer at the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, including both direct disclosures and when learning of disclosures made to others. Chairs, faculty and supervisors are designated reporters and are required to report these matters.

If you or another member of our community are experiencing issues that conflict with these policies, please consult with your chair, dean, supervisor, or one of the campus resources on the Getting Help through Campus Resources page.