CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
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Committee for Equity and Inclusion

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Mission

The Committee for Equity and Inclusion will advocate for equity and inclusion to be valued and recognized at all levels and sectors of our institution.  We will foster a culture that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion by acknowledging and responding to the voices of our faculty, staff, and students as well as the community in which we reside.

The Committee will work diligently to develop thoughtful and innovative approaches to solve complex SPH community issues related to equity and inclusion.

Goals

  1. Develop a plan for cohesively, consistently, and intentionally embedding DEI in the School’s strategic goals and communicating the role of DEI in our School’s core values.
  2. Strive towards a shared understanding and knowledge of DEI issues/topics.
  3. Embed a DEI lens in all communications and messaging
  4. Participate in and provide recommendations for ongoing revisions to curriculum and pedagogical practices across SPH
  1. Conduct campus climate surveys using external and independent vendor every three to five years to inform and align with SPH’s strategic framework.
  2. Conduct internal annual campus-wide assessments on DEI at the school.
  3. Develop, track and make available DEI metrics on student recruitment, admissions, retention, and outcomes.
  4. Develop, track and make available DEI metrics on faculty and staff in recruitment, hiring, retention and career advancement, including but not limited to promotion, tenure, and movement in title.
  1. Embed DEI as a goal and outcome in the Assessment Plans for each academic program and administrative unit of the School
  2. Integrate DEI in professional development and training
  3. Work with the appropriate School committees, departments and units to advocate for and suggest strategies for equity in policy and procedures that impact students, faculty and staff
  4. Collaborate closely with Student Services, Student Government Association and Alumni to ensure DEI is considered and visible in their initiatives and programs
  1. Work with administration on providing dedicated financial, personnel and other resources for long-term investment and sustainability of effective DEI capacity-building efforts.
  2. Develop a robust and focused DEI program with targeted activities and events, trainings, professional development and leadership development programs for faculty and staff
  3. Identify and disseminate external DEI specific engagement activities for students, faculty, and staff.
  4. Ensure the School infrastructure supports DEI within its physical facilities and in assistive technology.
  1. Strategize around initiatives to further advance faculty and staff recruitment and hiring efforts, particularly in areas in need of more diverse representation.
  2. Advocate for transparency and equity in faculty and staff hiring, retention, career advancement and compensation.
  3. Work with the appropriate School committees, departments and units to identify fair and equitable approaches to performance evaluation.

Members

James Warren
Student Life Coordinator
Representative to the Governance Council Steering Committee (alternate semesters)

Rosemary Farrell
Reference Librarian
Representative to the Governance Council Steering Committee (alternate semesters)

Term of service as co-chair: Renewable 3-year term (2024-25; 2025-26; 2026-27)

Raveena Jhaj
MPH – Community Health
GSGA – Masters Senator; CEI Student Representative

MacKenzie Long
MPH – Community Health
GSGA – CEI Student Representative

Terms of service: Academic year 2024–2025; Renewable for up to 3 years

Rachel Piltch-Loeb
Assistant Professor, Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences (EOGHS)

Term of Service: Academic Year (September – May); 3 years (2023-2024; 2024-2025; 2025-2026)

Thomas Rouyard
Assistant Professor, Health Policy and Management (HPAM)

Philip Kreniske
Assistant Professor, Community Health and Social Sciences (CHASS)

Sehyun Oh
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPI-BIOS)

Term of service: Academic year (September – May); 3 years (2024-2025; 2025-2026; 2026-2027)

Tina Lin
Career Advisor, Office of Experiential Learning and Career Services

Term of Service: Academic Year (September – May); 3 years (2023-2024; 2024-2025; 2025-2026)

Paulo Lellis
Administrative Specialist, Office of the Dean

Dawn Murrain
Public Safety Officer, Office of Public Safety

Besnik Berisha
Marketing Director, Communications and Marketing, Office of the Dean

Term of Service: Calendar year (September – May); 3 years (2024-2025; 2025-2026; 2026-2027)

By-Laws of the Governance Council of CUNY SPH

The relevant paragraphs on the Committee for Equity and Inclusion can be found in Article V, Sections 7.1 – 7.5 of the CUNY SPH By-Laws.

The below section is an excerpt from the CUNY SPH By-Laws:

Article V
Section. 7. Committee for Equity and Inclusion

  • 7.1. Composition: The Committee for Equity and Inclusion shall be composed of thirteen diverse members, as follows: five elected faculty (represented by two tenured, two tenure–track and one non–tenure track faculty), five staff members, and two students elected by the general student body during the scheduled elections in the spring. The Chief DiversityOfficer or their designee shall serve as an ex–officio non–voting member.
  • 7.2. Selection: Members of the Governance Council shall nominate and elect two tenured faculty, two tenure–track faculty, one non–tenure track faculty, and five staff members. There should be at least one faculty representative from each department.
  • 7.3. The elected members and staff members of the Committee will each elect one faculty and one staff member as co–chairs, who will serve renewable three–year terms. The elected student members will serve one–year terms, renewable for up to three years.
  • 7.4. The Committee for Equity and Inclusion may establish subcommittees to address specific issues on equity and inclusion, and to lead specific projects and activities related to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion at SPH. The Dean, in consultation with the Chair and Chief Diversity Officer, may appoint other SPH
    faculty, staff and students to serve as ad hoc non–voting members to the Committee and/or sub–committees to lead these activities.
  • 7.5. Duties: The Committee for Equity and Inclusion shall center SPH’s commitment to nurturing a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus climate, and will support and foster representation in leadership and progressive thought and action. The Committee shall collaborate and consult with other standing and ad hoc committees and administrative units of the School, as relevant, to make recommendations and advocate for
    • equity and inclusion to be valued and recognized at all levels and sectors of our institution,
    • a culture that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion by acknowledging and responding to the voices of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the community in which we reside, and
    • diligently working to develop thoughtful and innovative approaches to solve complex SPH community issues related to equity and inclusion, and long-term and short-term goals, as set forth in the School’s current strategic plan.

Racial Justice and Equity Survey Report

In July 2020, CUNY SPH leadership reached out to hear from students, recent graduates, faculty, and staff about how the racial justice movement that intensified over summer 2020 impacted their personal and professional lives and what actions the School should undertake, as an initial step, to create a culture and climate that fosters and supports racial equity and justice, diversity, and inclusion. The responses to the survey provided critical insight into the actions and interventions we should prioritize. This initial assessment was envisioned as a guide to begin to review and evaluate our learning and working situations, and develop a comprehensive plan of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives. 

View report

Agendas and Minutes

Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

2024 Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

CEI Events for November 2024


November is:

A time to recognize and honor caregivers nationally, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities, and work to increase support for our nation’s caregivers.

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support for the more than 6.2 million Americans living with it.

National Diabetes Awareness Month

National Native American Heritage Month

(global initiative–originated in Australia)

November Day/Week Celebrations:

  • 1st Diwali
  • 1st Samhain
  • 1st – 2nd Dia de los Muertos
  • 2nd Birth of the Bab (Baha’i faith)
  • 3rd Birth of the Baha’u’llah (Baha’i faith)
  • 11th Veteran’s Day (US)
  • 11th Remembrance Day (Canada)
  • 13th-19th Transgender Awareness Week: Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
  • 15th Guru Nanak Ji’s Birthday (Sikhism)
  • 16th International Day for Tolerance (United Nations)
  • 17th-23rd National Hunter & Homelessness Awareness Week (Official Site)
  • 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • 28th Thanksgiving (US)
  • 28th National Day of Mourning: An annual event that provides an alternative perspective to the traditional Thanksgiving celebration. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the mistreatment, displacement, and injustices faced by Indigenous communities throughout history.
National Event / Day of Celebration Events
MM/DD: Day of Celebration 11/3: Native American Heritage Month: Lenape Ethnobotany
11/9: Native American Heritage Month: Lenape Harvest
11/16: Native American Heritage Month: Native Americans Ethnobotany
11/17: Native American Heritage Month: Lenape Technology
11/17: Native American Heritage Month: The Lenape
11/21: Transgender Day of Remembrance (Observed) Cross-CUNY Event
11/24: Native American Heritage Month: Lenape of Staten Island
11/30: Native American Heritage Month: The Siwanoy
Have questions, concerns, or suggestions?
The Committee on Equity and Inclusion welcomes suggestions and recommendations for creating an equitable and inclusive environment at CUNY SPH. This form can be submitted anonymously or you can choose to include your name.
I HAVE A SUGGESTION
Contact us
EquityInclusionCommittee@sph.cuny.edu
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