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

Himani Sharma
Academic Program Specialist, Health Policy and Management (HPAM) & Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPI-BIOS)
Representative to the Governance Council Steering Committee 2021-2022

Sasha Fleary
Associate Professor, Community Health and Social Sciences (CHASS)
Representative to the Governance Council Steering Committee 2022-2023

Term of service as co-chair: Renewable 3-year term (2021-22; 2022-23; 2023-24)

Antionette Wearing
MPH – HPAM, Maternal, Child, Reproductive and Sexual Health Specialization; GSGA – Treasurer; University Student Senate- Primary Delegate

Nimra Rahman
MPH – Community Health Program; GSGA – Masters Senator ;Member, Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee

Terms of service: Academic year 2023–2024; Renewable for up to 3 years

Levi Waldron
Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPI-BIOS)

Victoria Ngo
Associate Professor, Community Health and Social Sciences (CHASS)
Director, CUNY Center for Innovation in Mental Health

Term of service: Academic year (September – May); 3 years (2021-2022; 2022-2023; 2023-2024)

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)

Daneen Anderson-Mercer
Associate Director of Human Resources

Paulo Lellis
Administrative Specialist, Office of the Dean

Toya Cox
Academic Program Specialist, Community Health and Social Sciences (CHASS) & Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences (EOGHS)

Term of Service: Calendar year (September -August); 3 years (2021-2022; 2022-2023; 2023-2024)

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)

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.

Campus Climate Survey

The CEI is conducting a confidential campus climate survey for the CUNY SPH community. This is an opportunity to share your experience, perception and ideas on diversity, equity and inclusion at CUNY SPH.

The survey is being administered by Dr. Maya Beasley of The T10 Group.  You will receive an email with a link to the survey from EquityInclusionCommittee@sph.cuny.edu with a subject line: CUNY SPH Campus Climate Survey: Your Voice Matters.  The survey will be open until Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

If you have questions, please review the FAQs below or email us at EquityInclusionCommittee@sph.cuny.edu.

Campus Climate FAQs

Why are we conducting a Campus Climate Survey?

The Campus Climate Survey is undertaken by the Committee for Equity and Inclusion (CEI) to

establish a baseline of understanding and perceptions of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and how CUNY SPH supports DEI in the classroom and workplace.

How will my answer be used?

Your responses will be used to inform the School’s Equity and Inclusion Plan and actionable steps, including initiatives and programs, to ensure DEI is embedded in the culture of the School.

Why am I being asked to complete this survey?

Your voice and experience matter to CUNY SPH. The CEI intends to use the information gathered from this survey to strengthen DEI across the School and be responsive to the DEI needs of our community.

When will the Campus Climate Survey be conducted?

The survey starts on September 20, 2023, and will be available to all students, faculty, and staff and some select alumni.  The survey will close on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Who developed the survey?

Dr. Maya Beasley of The T10 Group developed the survey, in consultation with the CEI members and the school’s senior leadership.

Who is eligible to participate in the survey?

All current students, full-and part-time faculty, administrators, full-and part-time staff are invited to participate in the survey. Each member of the SPH community will receive an email providing access to the survey. The link will lead to the survey hosted by Dr. Beasley. The survey will be administered on-line only and can be completed on your mobile device, laptop, or desktop.

Am I required to participate?

You do NOT have to participate in this survey. However, we strongly encourage you to participate so that your opinion is included in the data and report.

How long will the survey take if I participate?

The survey should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

What will happen if I don’t participate?

There are no consequences if you choose not to participate in the survey. Information on who completed the survey (and who did not) will not be provided to CUNY SPH.

Are there going to be opportunities to share my opinions beyond completing the survey?

Dr. Beasley will also facilitate listening sessions (focus groups) to gather more information about individual experiences and expand on data gathered via the survey.  Dr. Beasley will reach out to some individuals who completed the survey to participate in the listening sessions to be scheduled in November – December.

What kinds of questions are in the survey?

The survey includes sections that ask about your knowledge, experience and perceptions about diversity, equity and inclusion at CUNY SPH. You’ll receive a broad selection of multiple-choice questions that cover your understanding, perceptions and experience about DEI and how those factors affect your classroom and workplace. The data gathered will help CUNY SPH identify key areas of enhancement and improvement of the culture of our institution.

I am using my email to respond to the survey.  How is the survey anonymous?

Dr. Beasley is an external vendor from an independent organization.  Data will be received by Dr. Beasley and shared in the aggregate only.  No individuals will be identified.  Any information that may identify a participant will be removed and where necessary, grouped together with responses from other individuals.

Will my identity be connected to my response? Will my answers be confidential?

We believe anonymity is essential for everyone to be heard and to ensure that you are comfortable raising the issues that you feel strongly about.

No personally identifiable information (name or contact information) about any individuals will be connected to the survey responses and report.

The results will be presented in summary and aggregate form so no individual can be identified.

Why are you asking me about my race, ethnicity and my citizenship?

Responses to these questions allow reporting on how actual experience impacts the overall campus climate. Differences based on self-reported identities provide information on how best SPH can target resources where they are most needed.

Do I have to answer all the questions? If I skip a question, can I go back to it later?

You do not have to answer all the questions on the survey. And yes, you can go back to it later as long as you do not submit the survey. If you want to go back to it later, simply leave the survey without pressing the “Submit” button at the end. Your responses will not be recorded until you press “Submit”.

You may navigate through the survey items using the “Back” and “Next” buttons on the survey pages. Even if you choose not to answer every question, we encourage you to go through all the items in the survey and click “Submit” at the end of the survey so that the responses you do provide can be recorded.

What if I don’t know how to answer one of the questions?

It is better to skip the question rather than make an arbitrary answer. Random responses can create false data and will hinder accurate reporting.

Can I edit my answers if I change my mind?

Yes. Before you submit the survey, you can simply use the “Back” and “Next” navigation buttons in the survey to go back and revise any answer.

What if I leave the page without answering all the questions, will they be saved until I come back?

If you return to the page in the same browser and on the same device, the answers you have given – but not submitted – should be saved for you. Your responses on previous pages should be saved as well.

When can I see the results of this study?

SPH will receive a report of the results in Spring 2024.  The report will be published, along with actionable recommendations.

The CEI will develop an Equity and Inclusion Plan that will advocate for and provide a road map for implementing these recommended actions.

I have other questions. Who do I contact?

If you have questions about the survey that are not answered in this FAQ, you may reach out to EquityInclusionCommittee@sph.cuny.edu.

 

If you need technical or any other assistance during the time the survey is live, please contact EquityInclusionCommittee@sph.cuny.edu

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

2023 Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

2022 Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

CEI Events for May 2024


May is:

  • Asian American/Pacific Islander/South Asian American Heritage Month
  • Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Haitian Heritage Month
  • Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • National Military Appreciation Month
  • National Nurses Month
National Event / Day of Celebration Events
5/1: International Worker’s Day 5/13: YASS! Mondays: Free and Confidential HIV + STI Testing
5/3: World Press Freedom Day 5/14: Gaymers Against Violence: Workshop Series
5/17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 5/14: Mapping Puerto Rican Communities – GIS in Action
5/19: Malcom X’s Birthday 5/14: Spanish Teaching Information Session
5/21: World Day for Cultural Diversity (UN) 5/15: Human Rights Education and Transformative Justice Certificate Adv. Cert. Information Session
5/27: Memorial Day
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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