Boston University
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Boston University’s Faculty Equity and Inclusion Committee considers issues related to developing or ensuring appropriate representation of any minority on the Boston University faculty and considers issues pertinent to, and influencing University women which are brought to the attention of the Committee by faculty individuals, groups, or Faculty Council. The Committee first met in fall 2008 and is chaired by Stephanie Watts from the School of Management. Nine members of The Committee from five different schools and colleges participate in meetings.

Stephanie Watts (SMG), Chair Jeffrey Allen (SMG) Yvette Cozier (SPH) Aaron Garrett (CAS) Ruth Paris (SSW) Jo-Anna Rorie (SPH) Kristine Strand (SAR) Sub-committee members: Stephanie Watts (Chair), Jeff Allen, Yvette Collier, Aaron Garrett, Luz Lopez, Ruth Paris, Jo-Anna Rorie, Kristine Strand, and associate committee member Samantha Khosla.

The Equal Opportunity Office (EOO) serves as a resource for individual employees and managers who have questions or concerns about unlawful discrimination or harassment, accommodation of employees with disabilities, accommodation of religious practices, and other equal opportunity and affirmative action-related matters. It also serves as a resource for students who have concerns about unlawful discrimination and harassment. They advise administrative and academic departments regarding their EO/AA obligations. The Associate Provost for Faculty Development (APFD) meets with search committee chairs early in the search process to discuss best practices for open and inclusive searches, resources for recruitment available at Boston University and elsewhere, reporting requirements for Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity (AA/EO), and research related to unintended bias that can influence the search and recruitment process. The APFD works with our Affirmative Action Officer and others in the Provost’s Office to review search proposals and outcomes from the AA/EO perspective. BU is constantly working to improve faculty recruiting outreach to underrepresented populations in various academic disciplines.

Kim Randall, Director of Equal Opportunity, works alongside Assistant Director of Equal Opportunity Eleanor Druckman and Affirmative Action Specialist Nadiyah Shaheed to remediate complaints regarding unlawful discrimination as it may relate to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, military service, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. Methods of remediation include but are not limited to conflict resolution and incidence reporting, as she works to accommodate any individuals a part of the BU community that feel unjustly discriminated against for reasons stated above.