Biology
DIBE Commitment
Diversity, Inclusivity, Belonging, and Equity (DIBE) in the Biology Department:
Language developed through student, staff and faculty collaboration
(Dept. initially Approved: 2/7/22; reaffirmed 2/17/25)
The Biology Department at Southwestern University believes that learning takes place best in an inclusive environment where students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds are seen and heard.
We acknowledge that history is rich with injustices committed by members of the STEM community, including biologists, and these offenses continue to negatively impact recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups.
Members of the biology department understand that change cannot happen without having difficult conversations. We believe that we need to carefully examine uncomfortable truths from the past and present so that we may learn from these events and begin to forge a new path where students of any color, religion, identity, or ability can succeed in biology.
We strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for underrepresented individuals, including, but not limited to, students of color, sexual and gender minorities, students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, first-generation students, differently abled students, and those with chronic health conditions.
We are working towards a more inclusive and equitable environment. What we are already doing:
- Trainings
- Lavendar Spaces training for all faculty
- Discussions with students on how to make the biology dept. more inclusive through promoting a better sense of belonging.
- Physical spaces
- Gender neutral bathrooms in the science building
- Private breast-feeding room for mothers
- Wheelchair accessible laboratory
