Committee on Diversity & Inclusion

Purpose

The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) works to develop and sustain a diverse community of 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, and strengthens EMU's commitment to prepare students, faculty, and staff to think, serve, and lead in a global context. The charge is to:

• Advise and make recommendations to the vice president for 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), 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). 

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

Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Reporting

Meetings

Monthly meetings; more when necessary.