JEDI Commitment
The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography recognizes and understands the existence of systemic racism and its impact on the social and economic disparities, educational, and academic inequalities currently affecting our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) community and other marginalized groups within our society and communities. We commit ourselves to ensuring that the policies, practices, and programs currently in place infuse and implement Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) principles and initiatives into the fabric of the work that we do. This includes, but is not limited to hiring, training, teaching/education, recruiting and retaining, promotion, communication, collaboration, partnerships, planning and hosting of events, and the delivery of our services both currently and in the future.
JEDI Professional Development Seminars
This seminar series aims to provide professional development for students, faculty, and staff at the URI Bay Campus around the topics of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the ocean sciences.
Below, register for Spring 2024 seminar series and explore seminars and their resources from past semesters.
Register for spring 2024 PAST JEDI SeminarsThe JEDI Committee in collaboration with the Assistant Dean of JEDI Initiatives will incorporate systemic JEDI principles and practices into programs that will bring about a vibrant and robust social and cultural climate built on mutual understanding, respect, acceptance, and safety for all, while embracing the diversity of our beliefs, ideas, views, identities, and cultures.
We recognize and understand the challenges faced by our students, faculty and staff and the importance of equitable opportunities, services, and resources that address their varying needs. Our commitment to ensuring the success of JEDI initiatives and practices will include the following:
- Understand and address microaggressions, macroaggressions, exclusionary behaviors, and their impacts, in conjunction with improving the emotional health of our campus community.
- Evaluate and revise the GSO curriculum with respect to the history of systemic racism and JEDI in Geosciences while improving instructional delivery to foster inclusive and equitable learning environments.
- Promote and develop diverse collaborations, partnerships and intentional research initiatives.
- Restructure recruitment and marketing practices and procedures while re-evaluating the language used in publicly disseminated narratives and marketing materials to attract a more diverse student, faculty and staff community.
- Develop academic training programs that reach a diverse student population and address their varying academic and social needs.
- Address the challenges of groups that are marginalized – BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, immigrants, individuals with differing disabilities, international students, etc.
We aim to foster partnerships with various schools, training institutions, and adult training programs and organizations within the BIPOC community of the State of Rhode Island to bridge the academic and educational skill gap in STEAM-focused careers for BIPOC students and adult learners as well as other marginalized groups. Programs will be designed to build and improve students’ skills in science and math and enhance their interests in STEAM careers. Through workforce development training programs students can choose to enroll in any STEAM degree granting colleges at URI. GSO will consider future workforce development programs in the areas of marine technology, small boat maintenance, repairs, sailing and navigation.
We aim to reform our hiring practices, policies and procedures with emphasis on faculty and staff training and development, recruitment and retention. We will ensure a supportive and welcoming environment that sustains faculty and staff from the BIPOC community and other marginalized communities, thereby creating a community that is racially and culturally diverse with fair and equal representation of our identities, ethnicities, ideals and religious views.
We value the importance of embracing the richness of our diversity in the implementation of our policies and practices, while working towards a common goal.