Purpose
The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) works to develop and sustain a diverse and welcoming community of learning. It provides education and training on diversity and inclusion; proposes policies and supports practices that foster respect, equity, restorative justice, and dignity for every person. The committee creates spaces for multiple ideas, frameworks, and perspectives to facilitate innovative solutions to oppression, prejudices, and biases. It encourages the critique of dominant narratives and learners that promotes a sense of belonging, collaboration, and partnerships across campus. CODI is responsible for promoting, facilitating, and monitoring diversity and equity opportunities at Eastern Mennonite University. The committee's work supports pedagogy, policies and practices that foster equal access and fairness to our community members, works to develop a campus culture that listens to and learns from counter-narratives. The committee's work supports pedagogy, policies and practices that build empathy, develop social justice change agents, and strengthen and strengthens EMU's commitment to prepare students, faculty, and staff to think, serve, and lead in a global context.
Membership
CODI membership is open to anyone committed to anti-oppression, in all its forms.. The charge is to:
- Advise and make recommendations to the vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) on all issues relating to DEI and inclusive excellence on campus.
- Seek alignment between EMU’s and various units’ priorities in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging consistent with EMU’s Strategic Plan.
- Serve as agents of change across EMU for progress and education in DEI through proposing policies and supporting practices that foster respect, equity, restorative justice, and dignity for every person. The term ‘agent of change’ includes but is not limited to activities such as: building alliances across different affinity groups and social identities; exploring differences and similarities in a safe space; identifying DEI gaps; educating our community on how they can work together to eradicate all barriers to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Promote DEI opportunities at EMU by supporting and/or planning ongoing activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Membership
Standing committee members include the provost (ex officio), an executive administrator, and representatives across campus: the vice-president for diversity, equity and inclusion (chair); three faculty members (one from each of the three schools selected by the dean); one undergraduate student representative selected by SGA; one graduate student representative; one representative from each student organization that wishes to join to be selected by their respective leaders; and not more than one representative from some of the various areas across campus who wish to join (e.g., admissions, athletics, facilities, multicultural student services, library, and housing/resident life, CJP, safe space, Title IX, trauma informed, two faculty representatives from each of the three schools, and student representatives from various affinity groups on campus).
CODI membership is open to anyone committed to inclusive excellence, and wanting to serve as a DEI ambassador and agent of change.
Three-year terms
Chair
Executive Director Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Reporting
Meetings
Monthly meetings; more for subcommittees when necessary.