Statement on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
May 2020
The Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research prioritizes the core value of diversity and inclusion from VCU’s strategic plan Quest 2025: Together We Transform. We strive to ensure a climate of mutual trust and respect where individuals of differing cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities and life experiences are embraced, engaged and empowered to drive excellence and achieve success. We are committed to creating a culture and community that embraces students’, staff’s, and faculty members’ diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences including race, color, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic class, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran’s status. Whatever our background and chosen areas of work, each of us benefits from being in a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable community.
We believe that diversity drives our institution toward excellence in teaching, research, service and learning through the production of distinct thoughts, ideas and beliefs. Diversity permits students to develop in an environment which parallels the world in which they will live, thereby facilitating an understanding and appreciation of the ideas and practices of others, and building for the recognition, acceptance and value of differences.
The department is committed to a climate in which students, faculty, and staff can freely express themselves and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. We will take active steps to foster a diversity-friendly environment so that all of these individuals, from various backgrounds and perspectives, will feel included. This plan also is intended to foster mutual respect among these diverse individuals. In keeping with the diverse culture of the University as a whole, the department will promote openness, acceptance, and inclusiveness.
The department will work to ensure that diversity is reflected in student, staff, faculty and administrator recruitment, and in all of its activities, initiatives, programs, and outreach. All faculty, staff, and administrators have the responsibility for achieving these diversity goals.