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Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion within the Department of Architecture

 

Mission

The mission of the Department of Architecture SJEDI Committee is to guide and advise the department in matters of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Our committee offers constructive resources for students, staff, and faculty, and is working collaboratively with others in the Department and the CBE to build a supportive and inclusive environment where all members of the community may thrive and feel a sense of belonging.

We value and honor diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives, in order to create welcoming, respectful, and collaborative spaces. We advocate for accessibility, equitable opportunities, and champion social justice issue that are impacting our students, faculty, and staff.

Our goals are to:

  1. Foster diverse, respectful, and supportive work and learning environments for all CBE architecture department community members.
  2. Develop a department-wide culture that is safe for discussing SJEDI issues.
  3. Educate, highlight, and discuss SJEDI issues.
  4. Advocate for diverse needs of the department regarding SJEDI opportunities by supporting the department’s efforts to address social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the delivery of educational and research programs and recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of the profession.

We believe in building a diverse community that champions the interdisciplinary nature of architectural study and practice. We strive to design and strengthen an inclusive community where all members thrive, are valued, and feel a sense of belonging.

Vision

We envision a more equitable and diverse department that acknowledges historical and present-day institutional racism and various forms of oppression. We strive to be a department that centers justice, inclusivity, access, and collaboration and to build a culture of trust where people are seen, heard, and valued as part of our community.

CORE VALUES & DEFINITION

Social Justice
Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.* It is not only about the fair distribution of opportunities and privileges (distributive justice) but also in the processes in which our work is carried out (procedural justice).

Equity
Equity is one part of social justice. Equity is the “just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.” It means unlocking the promise of the larger community/society by unleashing the promise in us all.Ⴔ

Equity is ensuring that access, resources, and opportunities are provided for all to succeed and grow, especially for those who are underrepresented and have been historically disadvantaged.⧫

Diversity
Diversity is about the ways in which people differ. It encompasses all the characteristics that make an individual or group different from another. It includes diversity according to race, ethnicity, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, marital/family status, physical ability, socio-economic class, education, age, religion, place of origin, language, neurological difference, size/appearance and a variety of different ways of thinking and being in the world.§ The SJEDI Committee seeks to recognize, embrace and honor this diversity within the department.

Inclusion
Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities and decision-policymaking in a way that shares power and resources.§

Inclusion is a culture that is welcoming to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, abilities, and religion; where everyone is valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.⧫

* Source: National Association of Social Workers
§ Source: adapted from www.racialequitytools.org/glossary
Ⴔ Source: PolicyLink
⧫ Sources: UW Office of Research: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Committee Members

  • Elizabeth Golden, Chair, faculty
  • Daniela Casalino, student
  • Lucca Castillo, student
  • Lynnea Gerecke, student
  • Shloka Khandelwal, student
  • Claudine Manio, staff
  • Steve Withycombe, faculty

Resources

CBE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Bias Reporting Tool
Counseling Center
D Center (Disability and Deaf Cultural Center)
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO IT)
Faculty Senate
Graduate & Professional Student Senate (GPSS)
Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE)
Instructional Center
Leadership Without Borders (LWB)
Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D)
Office of the Ombud
Q Center
Race & Equity Initiative
Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC)
Student Life
Student Senate Resolutions
Student Veteran Life
Undocu Ally Training & Education Program
Undocumented Student Resources
UW CBE Student Services
UW Graduate School