Chicanx and Latinx Graduation Ceremony

Writing and Evaluating Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Merits and Promotions

Writing and Evaluating Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Merits and Promotions

Developed by Academic Affairs in consultation with UC Davis faculty, this instructional module was piloted and tested in Fall 2021 and we have updated the content based on UC Davis faculty feedback. This module offers tips and tools for faculty to consider and articulate their contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their own merit and promotional review. The module also provides guidance to faculty for evaluating their colleagues’ contributions to DEI and can be used to create department- or discipline-specific rubrics for evaluating statements of contribution to DEI.

You may access the module in the UC Learning Management System (LMS) after logging into the LMS using your UC Davis email address.

Click here to enter the module

 

This website also provides additional resources to accompany the module, "Writing and Evaluating Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Merits and Promotions." While the lists of FAQs and resources are not exhaustive, they provide a strong foundation for deepening the conversation about how Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strengthen the merit and promotion process for both individuals and departments/programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are DEI Statements required for the advancement process?
  • They are not. While DEI Statements are voluntary, APM 210-1-d calls for “due recognition” in the academic personnel process of all areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity. Making contributions to DEI that far exceed expectations, when combined with an overall strong record, may result in an additional half-step advancement for recognition of these contributions in the category of research, teaching, or service, in accordance with Step Plus guidelines.
  • Is this module required?

  • Completion of this module is not required. However, we encourage faculty to take the module to develop a deeper foundation for understanding how Statements of Contributions to DEI can strengthen the advancement process for both themselves and their department/program.

  • Why should we recognize contributions to DEI in evaluating dossiers for merits and promotions?
  • UC Davis is first and foremost an institution of learning, teaching, research, and public service. As faculty at a public, land-grant institution, we have a responsibility to serve the residents of the state of California. It is essential to our mission as UC faculty to ensure equity and fairness in the classroom, in the lab, in the field, or any space where we supervise and inspire students and fellow scholars. DEI work is also important because it helps us strive toward inclusive excellence by valuing and engaging the university’s rich diversity of students, staff, faculty, and administrators, as explained in the 2017 UC Davis Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision. Recognizing these contributions also helps to ensure equity and fairness in the personnel process by acknowledging work that might otherwise be “invisible” in the dossier. Most importantly, it is the university’s stated policy that we give this work “due recognition” in the personnel review process.
  • What does the APM say about recognizing contributions to DEI in merits and promotions? 
  • APM 210-1-d states, “Contributions in all areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity should be given due recognition in the academic personnel process, and they should be evaluated and credited in the same way as other faculty achievements. These contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms including efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service that addresses the needs of California’s diverse population, or research in a scholar’s area of expertise that highlights inequalities. Mentoring and advising of students and faculty members, particularly from underrepresented and underserved populations, should be given due recognition in the teaching or service categories of the academic personnel process.” 
  • What is the University of California policy regarding diversity? 
  • UC Regents Policy 4400 states, “...Because the core mission of the University of California is to serve the interests of the State of California, it must seek to achieve diversity among its student bodies and among its employees....Therefore, the University of California renews its commitment to the full realization of its historic promise to recognize and nurture merit, talent, and achievement by supporting diversity and equal opportunity in its education, services, and administration, as well as research and creative activity. The University particularly acknowledges the acute need to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented students, faculty, and staff from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented.” 
  • What guidelines does the Office of Academic Affairs provide for writing voluntary statements about contributions to DEI? 
  • Check out these guidelines and resources for writing and evaluating statements of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Resources Cited in the Module

Additional DEI Resources

Other UC Davis DEI Workshops

Module Script

For a complete transcript of the audio portion of this module, please click here.

Acknowledgements

This module was made possible through with the support of the University of California Office of the President, the Advancing Faculty Diversity Grant Program, and the dedication of many UC colleagues. We would like to recognize the following colleagues for their contributions:

  • Corrie Decker – Professor, Department of History
  • Kristina Hanna – Program Analyst - Academic Affairs
  • Brad Horton  – Program Coordinator, Academic Affairs
  • Zehra Ilhan – Graduate Student Researcher
  • Philip Kass – Vice Provost - Academic Affairs
  • Binnie Singh – Assistant Vice Provost - Academic Affairs

Copyright

This module is Copyright © by The Regents of the University of California, Davis campus. All rights reserved. This module may not be copied or duplicated in whole or part by any means without express permission or prior agreement.