As we work toward our core goal of infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the department’s entire mission, DEI concerns will inevitably arise among students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty. To properly address such concerns and achieve the best solution, the Psychology DEI Grievance Compact was developed by the Faculty and Staff Diversity Committee (FSDC). The Compact was approved by a full vote of Psychology faculty and staff on September 28, 2021, and implementation began on November 1, 2021.
The Compact is a general agreement among members of the Department of Psychology community regarding our approach to addressing particular DEI concerns at the local level. It describes concrete steps both within and outside of the department. It is designed to be used by all Psychology community members, including undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty. It is intended to help us all reflect, learn, and grow together while we maintain diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments across settings. This compact is not prescriptive or punitive – it does not provide detailed action plans or consequences, as these activities are part of the missions of and are most appropriately handled by units outside of the department. If there is a conflict between the Compact and University policies and procedures, the University policies and procedures must be followed.
The overarching principle of the Compact is: if appropriate, DEI concerns should be addressed locally first. Examples of DEI concerns appropriate for the Compact include microaggressions and/or instances of behavior/language causing offense that are not instances of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. Discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct all fall outside of the Compact.
The expected outcomes of the Compact are:
- greater awareness of the department's DEI values and approach to addressing DEI concerns;
- greater awareness of units outside of the department that are appropriate for addressing DEI concerns;
- increased engagement by all Psychology community members in addressing DEI concerns; and
- improved department climate.