Community Code of Conduct
The UW Department of Chemical Engineering is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive experience for all attendees. This means that the space will be free from harassment based on, but not limited to, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices.
Read the full code conduct here (pdf) >>
Increasing Access and Equity in ChemE Education
UW ChemE is committed to implementing evidence-based changes that make an engineering education accessible to all. While in our department, all faculty, staff, and students are provided with tools and training to grow in their cultural competency; this we believe is critical to our mission of engineering solutions for a better world. Further, we strive to lead the conversation and influence other departments and institutions to take effective, proactive measures.
These are a few of the actions ChemE is taking to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI):
Celebrating ChemE community members
- Facilitate Veteran’s Day and PRIDE Celebrations
- Held annually since 2016
- Organize Women’s Networking Session and DEI posters at PhD visit weekend
- Held annually since 2015
- Support WChE Industry Event
- Held annually since 2016
- Form LGBTQ+ student group
- Pending return to normal operations
- Create resources and support for student parents
- In progress
Building an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment
- Organize sexual harassment training for graduate students and faculty
- Held annually since 2017
- Facilitate SafeZone trainings
- First hosted in 2018
- Create equal bathroom representation in ChemE spaces
- Implemented in 2019
- Renovate Benson Hall lobby to be welcoming to all
- In progress
- Create onboarding materials for new faculty to engrain culture of DEI
- First draft complete 2020
- Host town halls on DEI and anti-racism work
- First series summer 2020
Recruiting, retaining, and supporting all department members
- Develop faculty hiring rubric and prioritize proposed contribution to diversity
- Implemented in 2018
- Review assessment rubrics and job postings in DEI Committee
- Implemented in 2019
- Remove GRE from admissions requirements
- Implemented in 2019. (Access the slide deck used in ChemE faculty discussions around this decision here (ppt) and reach out to professor Elizabeth Nance with questions.)
- Use rubric in evaluating graduate applicants
- Implemented in 2019
- Improve clarity and transparency in undergrad admissions essay
- Revised for 2020
ChemE IDEA Projects
ChemE students, faculty, and staff can implement inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism (IDEA) initiatives with the support of an endowed fund established by a donor in 2020.
Learn more about the IDEA fund, supported projects, and how to submit a proposal >>
Continuous Improvement and Accountability
The department strives to communicate its goals, define metrics of success, and document progress in its DEI activities. Internally, we are increasingly incorporating status reports and avenues for feedback into regular department communications. Here, we will post our metrics and update the status of our DEI initiatives as they advance.
DEI Town Halls
- ChemE hosted a Listening Town Hall on June 18, 2020
- Action/Discussion Town Halls held on June 25, July 23, and August 27, 2020
- We are currently developing quarterly town halls for the 2020-2021 academic year
Resources for Community Members
Although we hope all members of our community will have a positive experience in our department, we also want to highlight the resources available to you if you need help, and the many ways that you can report an issue so we can take action to address any racist or otherwise problematic behavior.
Undergraduate students
Report issues: Each individual on this list has had training in how to respond and elevate concerns around bias, harassment, and safety. Please share any issues you have observed through whichever channel feels most comfortable
- Academic Advisers Nicole & Dave
- Any member of the Diversity Committee
- Department Chair, directly or through our anonymous online form
- UW Bias Reporting Tool
- College of Engineering Bias Incident Reporting Tool
Access resources
- ChemE Advising Team: Our department advisers are dedicated to helping every graduate and undergraduate student in ChemE succeed. Whether it’s building individual courses of study, connecting students with internships, or empowering students with resources and support to overcome challenges, Dave and Nicole are experienced in supporting students from diverse backgrounds. They are also available to meet with prospective students.
- SAFECampus
- Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
- LiveWell
- University Ombuds
- College of Engineering student organizations
- Women in Chemical Engineering (WChE)
Graduate students
Report issues: Each individual on this list has had training in how to respond and elevate concerns around bias, harassment, and safety. Please share any issues you have observed through whichever channel feels most comfortable
- Academic Advisers Allison & Dave
- Graduate Program Coordinator Cole DeForest
- Any member of the Diversity Committee
- Department Chair, directly or through our anonymous online form
- Graduate Student Union representative
- UW Bias Reporting Tool
- College of Engineering Bias Incident Reporting Tool
Access resources
- ChemE Advising Team: Our department advisers are dedicated to helping every graduate and undergraduate student in ChemE succeed. Whether it’s building individual courses of study, connecting students with internships, or empowering students with resources and support to overcome challenges, Dave and Allison are experienced in supporting students from diverse backgrounds. They are also available to meet with prospective students.
- SAFECampus
- Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
- LiveWell
- University Ombuds
- College of Engineering student organizations
- Women in Chemical Engineering (WChE)
Postdocs
Report issues: Each individual on this list has had training in how to respond and elevate concerns around bias, harassment, and safety. Please share any issues you have observed through whichever channel feels most comfortable
- Director of Academic Services & Chair of Trainee Committee Dave Drischell
- Any member of the Diversity Committee
- Department Chair, directly or through our anonymous online form
- Postdoc Union representative
- UW Bias Reporting Tool
Access resources
- Academic Advisers Allison & Dave
- SAFECampus
- Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
- CareLink employee assistance program
- University Ombuds
- Women in Chemical Engineering (WChE)
Staff
Report issues: Each individual on this list has had training in how to respond and elevate concerns around bias, harassment, and safety. Please share any issues you have observed through whichever channel feels most comfortable
- Administrator Debbie Carnes
- Any member of the Diversity Committee
- Department Chair, directly or through our anonymous online form
- College of Engineering HR Manager Alex Finlon Grothe
- UW Bias Reporting Tool
Access resources
Faculty
Report issues: Each individual on this list has had training in how to respond and elevate concerns around bias, harassment, and safety. Please share any issues you have observed through whichever channel feels most comfortable
- Any member of the Diversity Committee
- Department Chair, directly or through our anonymous online form
- Academic HR
- University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office
- UW Bias Reporting Tool
- State and federal options: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington State Human Rights Commission
Access resources
Diversity Committee
The following faculty, staff, and students currently serve on the Diversity Committee. Everyone can contribute ideas and feedback to the committee through this anonymous form >>
Committee Chairs
David Bergsman, Assistant Professor
Nicole Minkoff, Undergraduate Adviser
Faculty
James Carothers
Cole DeForest
Shachi Mittal
Elizabeth Nance
Staff
Debbie Carnes, Administrator
Dave Drischell, Academic Services Director
More Information and Resources
- UW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Race & Equity at the UW
- UW College of Engineering diversity initiatives
- Diversity resources around the College and University
