Facilitator: Erica Cooper, Assistant Provost for Faculty Diversity, Office for Inclusion and Diversity

In light of ongoing legal challenges to diversity statements, this session will provide faculty with critical insights on how to effectively and responsibly utilize these statements in their faculty search processes. The discussion will address the current legal landscape, exploring the constraints and considerations that search committees must navigate. Participants will learn strategies for assessing how candidates' diversity statements reflect a genuine commitment to the institution's motto and core values. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining compliance while ensuring that diversity statements remain a meaningful tool in evaluating a candidate’s potential to contribute to an inclusive academic community. Faculty will leave equipped with the knowledge to balance legal considerations with the goal of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their hiring practices.

Zoom link for virtual participants: