The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY DIVERSITY PLAN
OUR VALUES AND MISSION
The faculty, students, and staff of the University of Tennessee’s Department of Chemistry view diversity, multiculturalism, social justice, and equity as fundamental ethical, societal, and scientific values. We must be inclusive and diverse in order to foster outstanding research, scholarship, and mitigate the “leaky pipeline” of traditionally underrepresented groups in chemistry such as racial minorities and women. We recognize and value diversity in its myriad forms including ability status, age, ethnicity, family structure, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and veteran status. Consistent with our strategic plan, our diversity plan seeks to “actively promote diversity and inclusion in our local, regional, and global communities.” Further we seek to create and sustain a welcoming environment to recruit, retain, and support a diverse body of students, staff, and faculty; prepare students to conduct research, teach, and advocate in a diverse world; foster research that includes a broad range of backgrounds and perspective; and lastly to develop and strengthen community partnerships to further inclusion.
OUR DIVERSITY GOALS, ACTIONS, AND METRICS
CLIMATE: Create and sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive departmental climate
Climate: Actions | Metrics |
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FACULTY AND STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: Recruit, retain, and mentor greater numbers of faculty and staff from historically under-represented populations.
Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention: Actions | Metrics |
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STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: Recruit, retain, mentor, and graduate greater numbers of students from minority and under-represented populations and international students.
Student Recruitment and Retention: Actions | Metrics |
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TEACHING, CURRICULUM, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION: Ensure the curricular practices reflect the department’s commitment to diversity, economic disparity, global engagement, and social justice, and provide continuing education opportunities to faculty, staff, and students.
Teaching, Curriculum, and Continuing Education: Actions | Metrics |
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OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: Develop and strengthen Departmental partnerships with diverse communities on the local, state, national, and international levels.
Outreach and Engagement: Actions | Metrics |
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Campus Resources
Campus-wide resources are available to provide information about diversity and inclusion issues and initiatives and to assist those who have experienced or witnessed an incident of bias.
- 865-974-HELP Distressed Students Referral Line
- Bias Education and Referral
- Diversity A–Z Index
- Diversity Programs by College
- Free Speech at UT
- Mattering and Belonging
- Sexual Harassment Complaint Process Flowchart
REPORT AN INCIDENT
Have you witnessed or been the recipient of an bias-based incident? Report it now.
Resources and Guides
- The Intersection of Race, Pandemic, and Higher Education
- Just in Time Equity Dialogues for Youth
- Just in Time – Additional Resources and Readings
Handbooks and Manuals
- Division of Diversity and Engagement Graduate Research Assistant Handbook
- Multicultural Student Life Resource Handbook 2020-2021
Campus-Wide Diversity Programs and Activities
Campus Councils and Commissions
- Commission for Women
- Commission for Blacks
- Commission for LGBT
- Exempt Staff Council
- Council for Diversity & Interculturalism
- Veteran Student Services
- Stop Bias
Recruiting Resources
OED maintains information regarding:
- Common Advertising and Recruiting resources for Academic and Service Disciplines
- Listings of
- You may post to Higheredjobs.com (job posting at no cost to the hiring unit)
The following resources can prove to be helpful supplements to other advertising and recruiting methods used by the search committee:
- Ads placed in professional journals, membership lists or vita bank services
- Departments and contacts at other universities offering relevant degrees
- Personal contacts to colleagues in the profession to solicit names of potential qualified candidates
- Internet resources, listservs, and/or e-mail lists
- Professional associations and conferences serving specific populations (ex. Women in Engineering or Association of Black Psychologists)
- The applicant pool from similar searches conducted by the department or other university departments recruiting similar types of positions
- Current employees
- Local and campus-based special interest commissions (Council on Interculturalism and Diversity, Commission for Women, Commission for Blacks, Commission for LGBT, Exempt Staff Council, Center for International Education) as well as local community-based agencies (Knoxville Area Urban League, Community Action Agency, and Tennessee Workforce and Development, particularly the Veteran Administration unit).
See also: Search Procedures
UTK Factbook
The online Fact Book is made available to provide official information about the university including student demographics, enrollment, graduation data, faculty and staff demographics, financial data, and facilities. The data in this book reflect inclusive figures for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Institute of Agriculture, and the Space Institute. If you need information not found in the Fact Book, please contact the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at (865) 974-4373, oira@utk.edu, or 915 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996-4060.
Comment Portal
The Chemistry EID Committee is always interested in hearing comments, concerns, or general thoughts about the diversity-related climate and environment in our Department. In response to the expressed need for a safe space to express these thoughts, we are implementing an online submission form as a mechanism for hearing and, to the best of our ability, responding to the needs and voices of individuals in our Department. The form is completely anonymous, so feel free to be as open and honest as possible. Please use this service as an opportunity to have your voice heard. The Diversity and Climate Portal is monitored by the Department Head, who will direct comments to the appropriate place.