Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Life-long Learning (IDEAL) Committee
DIVERSITY CHARTER
Mission
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Life-long Learning (IDEAL) Committee was established as part of an ongoing effort to ensure a safe environment for our Institute for Innovative Education (IIE) staff. The Committee values the diverse voices and perspectives of the staff, and our core belief is that embedding diversity makes us successful. We are dedicated to training our hiring team on equitable practices and establishing a culture where we are intentional and conscious of bias throughout our recruitment, promotion, and employee evaluation processes.
The mission of the IDEAL Committee is to foster a workplace culture that empowers all staff members, celebrates differences, promotes transparency and trust, and promptly addresses concerns. We are committed to building diversity, inclusivity, and interpersonal relationships through curated resources, activities, and initiatives.
Responsibilities
Core Priorities
The IDEAL Committee has identified three core priorities which guide the committee's work and align with the University of Rochester’s campus-wide diversity initiatives:
The Committee spearheads IIE’s efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all staff members in the department. The Committee reports to the IIE Director Team and is responsible for recommending specific actions that will further the mission of the IDEAL Committee within the IIE.
The IDEAL Committee retains an advisory role within the IIE and, as such, is bound by the policies and procedures of the IIE, the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD), the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), and the University of Rochester as a whole. The Committee will present advice and action items to the IIE Director Team and will rely on the leadership of the SMD and URMC for guidance.
IIE’s core priorities may be modified based on feedback received from the Committee and Director Team.
Scope
While the IDEAL Committee may address larger issues that effect SMD and URMC, the primary focus of the group is addressing the diversity initiatives with the IIE. The greater university policies and procedures are important, but the main concentration of the IDEAL Committee is to encourage productive change within the IIE.
Expectations
The members of the IDEAL Committee are responsible for upholding the mission of IDEAL as well as serving as spokespersons for the Committee. Any member of the IIE Team should be comfortable approaching a member of the Committee with a concern, action item, or project. That Committee member will then present this information to the IDEAL group at the next scheduled meeting. IIE Team Members are also invited to join an IDEAL meeting as a presenter to share information, comments, or concerns without becoming an active member of the Committee.
Committee Composition
Leadership
The IDEAL Committee Leadership Team will be made up of Co-Chairs and the IIE Administrator of HR. Co-Chairs will serve in the Leadership role for no more than two years but may serve again after a two-year gap. The Co-Chair is a voluntary position. If no members of the Committee volunteer to Co-Chair, the Administrator of HR will actively recruit among the current members. Once a co-chair’s term expires, they can request to become a regular member.
Committee Members
The Committee consists of employees throughout IIE. There should be a minimum of two employees from each division (CEL, Miner Libraries, Educational Technology) of IIE. When this minimum is not met the Committee Co-Chair will actively recruit new members. The total number of committee members is capped at 15.
New Members
New members of the IDEAL Committee are nominated by a current member or director and proposed by this current member or director to the Leadership Team of the Committee. The IDEAL Committee Leadership Team will discuss any proposed members, keeping in mind the distribution of committee members across the IIE divisions as well as the committee cap. Leadership will respond directly to the nominee with a decision.
Sub-Committees
Within the IDEAL Committee, there will be three Sub-Committees focusing on the three initiatives outlined under “Responsibilities”. Each member of the Committee must choose to be a member of one Sub-Committee. If a member does not choose a Sub-Committee, he/she will be assigned to one by the Leadership Team. Each Sub-Committee should have at least three members. If a Sub-Committee has less than three members, the Leadership Team will ask for volunteers to switch focus. In the event that there are no volunteers, the Leadership Team will re-assign at random. Each Sub-Committee will be led by a Chair. The Chair is a voluntary position. If no members volunteer to Chair the Sub-Committee one will be chosen by the Leadership Team. None of the members of the Leadership Team can be a Chair of a Sub-Committee. Staff members of the IIE who do not serve on the IDEAL committee may support the functions of the subcommittee.
Meeting Procedures
Sub-Committees
Sub-Committees will meet at least once per month to discuss their specific initiative and design action items to present to the Full Committee. The Sub-Committee Chair will be responsible for presenting findings/information/action items at the Full Committee Monthly Meeting.
Full Committee
The Full Committee will meet once per month. Each Sub-Committee Chair will present current projects and action items at the full committee meeting. Any actions can then be presented to the Director Team of the IIE and will then be discussed and formulated at the subsequent full committee meeting. The Leadership of IDEAL will provide information and progress updates to the Director Team and, if appropriate, to the entire IIE Team.
Guidelines for Interaction during any IDEAL Committee and Sub-Committee meeting:
● Remain open to different ideas and thoughts. Be respectful while communicating, especially around disagreements.
● Be fully present, respectful and supportive of others while using active listening skills.
● Keep confidentiality to encourage honesty, trust, and respect.
● We will create a safe space to discuss topics in a nonjudgmental way. We will acknowledge others might make mistakes and will provide an opportunity to reflect and learn from each other.
● Be aware of verbal and nonverbal communication.
● Acknowledge “ouch” moments during group discussions
Amendments
This Charter was accepted by the IDEAL Committee on 10/15/2021. Any amendments to the Charter will be noted here with content and date of acceptance
Approval