Inclusivity and Fairness Statement

In alignment with the strategic objectives of the University and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology recognizes that our lives, perspectives and practices are enriched when we actively engage in discourse and inclusive actions around complex ideas and issues, whether they pertain to race and ethnicity, sex, gender identity, political viewpoints, sexual orientation, special health needs, age, belief system, country of origin, or socio-economic status. The Department of Criminal Justice is committed to the work of educating, promoting, supporting, and embracing a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Furthermore, we are committed to embracing diversity and cultivating a sense of belongingness, fairness, and inclusivity in our community and those that we serve as Criminal Justice Professionals. We demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and fairness through our teaching, research, and service; and we instill and/or strengthen respect for diversity in our students.

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology also recognizes that maintaining an educational climate where all faculty, staff, and students feel safe and heard is a continual process that requires deliberate action. We endeavor to sustain Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (JEDI) and Belongingness guided by the following definitions:

Justice: The identification and dismantling of systems, structures, policies and practices that create differential barriers for professional success and personal fulfillment.

Equity: As opposed to equality, where everyone receives the same support regardless of circumstance, equity focuses on fair treatment and access to supports and opportunities necessary for advancement and success. Equity acknowledges structural issues and barriers such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and sexual harassment that have prevented the full participation of individuals from marginalized groups.

Diversity: The variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, abilities/disabilities, religion, language, and more.

Inclusion: The proactive effort through personal actions, programs, and policies to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, respected, supported, and valued.

Belonging: The sense of feeling accepted by and connected to the department/university, and feeling valued by the institution, while being one’s authentic self.