Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Ours is a community centered on science and the pursuit of scientific truths. We comprise the scientists, staff, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students of the Boston College Biology Department and the Biology Graduate Program, and we are united by a shared passion for research, teaching and mentoring in the biological sciences. We recognize that this passion will be most fully realized in an environment and a community that embraces and supports the full spectrum of human diversity, and we further believe that scientific discovery and the establishment of fundamental scientific truths is a global, human enterprise that must be free of prejudice and discrimination in order to achieve its greatest potential and to be of maximum benefit to humankind.
For these reasons, we strive to create and consistently maintain a working community that:
- is welcoming and inclusive
- implements strategies to ensure equity in the recruiting and treatment of all our students, staff, scientists and faculty members
- extends beyond our institution to encompass our extended family of colleagues and collaborators from around the world
- requires only a commitment to our shared passion
- is enriched by the many and varied personal, ethnic, cultural, racial and philosophical differences that comprise the one human race
It is our hope that our community, by welcoming all of those who share our passion for science, will grow and thrive and in collaboration with similar research communities around the world, will contribute in its own way to the elimination of prejudice and the advancement of science for the benefit of all.
DEI Resources at BC
OID Programs
The Office for Institutional Diversity offers a series of programs to advance and sustain the University's culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all community members.
Thrive @ BC
More than just helping you succeed, we want to help you thrive. Find contact information and guidance on accessibility accommodations, scholarship opportunities, lactation resources, support for veterans, and more.
DEI Committee
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DEI in Boston College Biology
While we as individuals, as a committee, and as a department cannot “solve” the bias and discrimination of our society, we will work towards building diversity, equity and inclusion within our own community. It is our goal to facilitate conversations within our department about inclusiveness and belonging, to raise awareness about racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, and to promote discussions that can help us grow as a more diverse and inclusive community. This periodic newsletter will serve as a forum where we can stay connected and engaged in issues of equity. We will spotlight resources that can help us add to our anti-discrimination toolkits as individuals and as a department. During these times that can feel disconnected and isolating, it is our hope that this newsletter will be a community space for us to affirm and build our shared values.
Dear Biology Department Community,
We are devastated to hear the news of the domestic terror attack in Buffalo, New York specifically targeting Black Americans. The white supremacist published an anti-Black and anti-Semitic manifesto citing the racist “great replacement” theory that is based on hate. This is an unspeakable tragedy for the victims and their families, for the Black community, and for all of us. We agree with the President that “white supremacy is a poison” and unfortunately, the poison is around us, and we note that racist conspiracy theories like the one that motivated this attack have been becoming more mainstream. In addition, Black students at UMass Amherst were recently targeted a second time with a hateful, racist email, which was sent specifically to Black students enrolled at the school. Within BC Biology, we urge everyone to be aware of the potentially detrimental effects of these attacks on our Black students, and to offer whatever support you can. Here, you can find some resources for faculty, students, and staff on reporting discrimination and resources for combating anti-Black racism.
Dear Biology Department Community,
We are profoundly disappointed to learn of yet another racially-motivated incident on our campus, coming so soon in the wake of the recent racist actions that occurred in Xavier Hall. This weekend, the incident involved a student writing racially offensive language on classroom chalkboards. Racist incidents such as these disproportionately affect our BIPOC students and other BIPOC members of our community, and they must stop. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which hate and racism have no place, and where and our BIPOC students, staff and faculty always feel safe and valued.
Students in the Department should know that the faculty members are aware of these incidents and feel extremely disturbed. Know that the members of the DEI Committee, faculty, and staff are here to support you. Faculty members, teaching staff, and teaching assistants, please read the CTE’s resources on Responding to Racist Incidents. We invite everyone to attend the CTE’s discussion session on Thursday night (March 18), where we will be talking about ways to respond in classroom settings to these shameful events. If you experience or observe any kind of Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents, please report it using this form that the University recently created.
The Biology DEI Committee
(Sarah McMenamin, Emrah Altindis, Kari Jensen, David Burgess, Suyen Espinoza Miranda)
Saturday, Feb 20, 2021
At Boston College, we strive to create an inclusive community of excellence. How can students in our community learn, engage and thrive when they feel threatened, harassed and targeted in the very places where they live? We are disappointed, sad and angry about the racist harassment that has been occurring in the MLE floor of Xavier Hall. This is unfortunately just one particularly egregious example of the agressions, exclusions and inequities that occur far too frequently within our community. Such events have disproportionately negative effects on our students who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC), and the toll of overt and systemic racism within our community is substantial and unacceptable.
As a committee and a department, we extend our support and stand with everyone affected, directly and indirectly by this incident. The members of the DEI committee, and many members of the Biology administration and Faculty are available to talk with students and all community members about any concerns. We will work together to create a safe and welcoming environment.
The Biology DEI Committee
(Sarah McMenamin, Emrah Altindis, Kari Jensen, David Burgess, Suyen Espinoza Miranda)
National Resources & Associations
Periodicals & Articles
