Mission Statement
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (EDI) views equity, diversity, and inclusion as the guiding principles and encourages departments and units across the School of Nursing to utilize these activities. Our community is made of students (undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral researchers), staff, and faculty who draw from a dynamic range of backgrounds to contribute to the pursuit of our common goals (resources and support, community events, and innovating opportunities) in partnership with the UMSON Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the core value of the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
History
The EDI Council was launched in the Fall of 2021 as an elected body within the integrated UMSON Shared Governance structure by the previous volunteer UMSON Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. We are turning our goals and ideas into actions and results (including learning sessions, integrating an EDI perspective into scholarly activities and curriculum, and engaging in community service).
Who
We create an environment that explores the values of the unique Baltimore and Maryland culture structure and understands the importance of progress for everyone in our community.
- Elected regular members of the EDI Council will be expected to attend and participate in monthly meetings, projects, and committees.
- Regular members consist of four staff, four faculty, and four students (one each from BSN - Baltimore, BSN - Universities at Shady Grove, MS, and doctoral programs). They serve two-year terms.
- The EDI Council Executive Council consists of three members.
- One staff co-chair
- One faculty co-chair
- One secretary
- ANY faculty member, staff member, student, or alumni associated with the School of Nursing who expresses interest and commitment to attend and participate actively in the group may become an associate member (volunteer, non-elected member).
- Standing committees include:
- Re-envisioning and Strategic Planning Committee
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- Ad hoc committees will form to accomplish time-bound tasks, e.g., the nominations/elections committee and the wellness committee.
- To clarify, the UMB Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) is another body that provides recommendations to the University President on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
How
We function in an advisory and consulting role as the following roles/responsibilities.
- Share and review issues/concerns, recommend, create opportunities, and recognize efforts to achieve the University and School’s core values for all UMSON members.
- Address, discuss, and maintain a mechanism for submitting and reviewing recommendations for infrastructure support of EDI initiatives in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with appropriate administrative units or academic departments.
- Assist the Associate Dean for EDI with developing, implementing, and evaluating plans and educational activities.
- Coordinate and enhance methods to increase awareness and sensitivity to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the School regarding race, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and other factors.
When/Where
Each second Monday of the month (11:30-13:00) via hybrid/in-person conferencing.
We actively seek to unite the Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove locations with representatives from both campuses with inclusive meeting formats. Please email NRSDEICouncil@umaryland.edu for more information.
Why
UMSON EDI council is a mutually reinforcing principle within an organization. We focus on sharing experiences, providing a broader perspective, and leading an essential aspect of building an engaged community
Welcome to the UMSON EDI Council.