Communication

The University is committed to maintaining an inclusive campus climate. Academic departments, centers, institutes and programs engage in efforts to retain and support a diverse academic community while building an inclusive climate. 

Communication is important to increase trust, enhance transparency and build community.  Departments convene listening sessions/townhalls to communicate departmental processes, share information, gather feedback and update the community on progress. Departments can utilize the following best practices to foster trust and open communication:

  • Create a diversity, climate and inclusion section on the departmental website to communicate information, policies, initiatives and publicly available data.
  • Analyze all unit communications (displays, photos on websites, etc.) to ensure equitable representation.
  • Schedule community listening sessions and group conversations. 
  • Create feedback forms and host climate committee “office hours” to get ideas from the community.