Please consider the following when forming a DEI/Climate committee in your academic department: 

• Consider the committee as being advisory to the department chair (generally when possible it’s recommended the chair not serve on the committee).  
• In selecting the membership of the committee, consider the goals of your group and who will need to be involved in order for the department to meet those goals.  Some departments have appointed the department manager (or another senior staff person) as a member of the committee given their ability to advance implementation of committee recommendations.  In addition, managers have deep departmental knowledge, can serve as a bridge between the department and the central administration, and provide continuity for a committee with members whose terms may be relatively short or interrupted.
• Choose a committee chair or co-chairs.  Having co-chairs has the advantage of lightening the burden on a single individual but it can also reduce accountability.  If you select co-chairs, give them staggered terms so a new co-chair is serving with an experienced co-chair.  The chair (or at least one co-chair) should be a well-respected, tenured, faculty member who is not currently serving as department chair, director of graduate studies, or undergraduate departmental representative.  Someone who has previously served in one of these roles would be ideal.  
• Ideally, there should be some diversity among the co-chairs.  Having leaders who are influential and who can deliver on outcomes is also important.  Be cautious about the signal that will be sent by your appointments.  Be mindful of  individuals who often bear a disproportionate amount of advising and departmental/university service responsibilities.  Appointing a chair or co-chair who is from a majority group can signal that climate issues are the responsibility of all members of the community and not only those who are minorities.
• Committee members should serve defined terms which are determined when the committee is chartered.  Members should ideally serve for two or three consecutive years.  In general, each member should serve for the same length of time, though newly formed committees should have an initial staggering of terms so that the full membership does not turn over at the same time.  For example, you might initially appoint half your members to serve two years and the other half three years; thereafter all appointments could be two-year terms.  
• Consider how frequently the committee should meet (we recommend between three and five times during the academic year).  Find a time when most people are available.  Lunch meetings or sessions on Friday are generally good.  Early morning or late afternoon time slots can be challenging for those with family responsibilities or for individuals who live further afield.
• Support is available from the Office of the Provost for drafting the initial charge to a new committee.