CFANS Committee on Diversity and Inclusion

The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is a CFANS representational committee comprised of a group of dedicated individuals with a strong interest in strengthening the college's commitment in the areas of diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion. Members are appointed for 1-2 year terms. Members of the team come from staff, faculty, students and community partners. Representation includes participants from across the campus. We are committed to identifying and implementing a strategic change agenda that encourages the College to reflect the interests, aspirations and cultural richness of our extended community. Specific recommendations and action items to accomplish this agenda are forwarded to administrative leadership through the Director of Diversity Programs for CFANS.

It is essential to the mission of the college that the talent of each member of our community is fully realized in a manner consistent with the goals of an inclusive organization. We are committed to effecting positive change through innovative planning, regular evaluation, community participation, offering training and providing incentives for demonstrating leadership in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Formal Charge of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (CFANS Standing Committee)

Responsibilities: The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is charged with providing advice and counsel to the FCC, Director of Diversity Programs, Dean and other collegiate leadership bodies on initiatives supporting systemic approaches to:

  • Increasing diversity and building an inclusive environment in the workplace (faculty and staff)
  • Developing recommendations and strategies for increasing underrepresented student populations
  • Supporting efforts to develop cross-cultural scholarship
  • Creating innovation through diversity
  • Other issues regarding diversity and inclusion that require attention in a premier institution of higher learning
  • Forwarding appropriate policy recommendations to FCC for inclusion on the Assembly docket
  • Assessing evaluation needs for diversity and inclusion in collegiate programs
  • The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion shall report upon its activities to the FCC at least once each semester

Membership: 
Appointed: In all categories, unless otherwise noted, the FCC’s Elections and Nominations subcommittee nominates a double slate of candidates, from which the Dean appoints members for two-year staggered terms.

  • Four (4) faculty
  • Two (2) P &A staff
  • Two (2) CSBU staff
  • Two (2) community representatives
  • One (1) undergraduate student appointed by the Student Board
  • One (1) undergraduate student appointed by Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
  • Two (2) graduate students nominated by the GRPRC and appointed by the Dean
  • One (1) post-doctoral associate from CFANS academic units

Ex officio:

  • One CFANS Associate Dean
  • Director of CFANS Diversity Programs
  • Representative of the University Office for Equity and Diversity 

Chair: Elected by the committee, prior to the start of the fall semester, from among the committee members.  The chair will serve for a one-year term. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a person can serve as chair.

A list of current members is available on the CFANS Intranet: Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

For more information about the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, contact the CFANS Office of Diversity and Inclusion at odicfans@umn.edu.