Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our department represents a diverse group of students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds. We are committed to celebrating the excellence and uniqueness of each individual, and seek to raise awareness of the continued need for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion - both in the research community and in the classroom. We acknowledge that in this field, contributions by underserved and underrepresented groups have not always received appropriate recognition, nor have these groups traditionally received the same opportunities for higher education. Although there is still much work to be done on this front, our aim is to provide a safe, equitable, and fair environment so that all individuals may excel within the department. This is true no matter how long each may be here - whether for a single class or through an entire career. We strive to make the department a place that connects people from many different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.

Recommendations for further reflection from members of the department:

1. Weapons of Math Destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy by Cathy O’Neill (2016) - selected book for departmental discussion Spring 2022
2. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the practice of freedom by bell hooks (1994)
3. Teaching Community: A pedagogy of hope by bell hooks (2003)
4. Educated: A memoir by Tara Westover (2018)
5. Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?: And other conversations about race by Beverly Tatum (2017)
6. Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su (2021)
7. Relocation Arkansas: Aftermath of Incarceration - a documentary

Committee Members

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Washington State University acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, there are 42 tribes, 35 of which are federally recognized that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represents multiple tribes and bands. The University expresses its deepest respect for and gratitude towards these original and current caretakers of the region. As an academic community, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in teaching, research and programming. Washington State University established the Office of Tribal Relations and Native American Programs to guide us in our relationship with tribes and service to Native American students and communities. We also pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

As a land grant institution, we also recognize that the Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant institutions by providing each state with “public” and federal lands, which are traced back to the disposition of Indigenous lands. In 1890, Washington State received 90,081 acres of Indigenous Lands designated to establish Washington State University (see data). Washington State University retains the majority of these lands to this day. We acknowledge that the disposition of Indigenous lands was often taken by coercive and violent acts, and the disregard of treaties. For that, we extend our deepest apologies. We owe our deepest gratitude to the Native peoples of this region and maintain our commitment towards reconciliation.