AGNR's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect Council

As part of the AGNR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) plan we have created a DEIR Diversity Council. If you are interested in serving on the council, send an email with a brief bio and statement (no more than one paragraph) of what you offer the council to ecooper@umd.edu.

The Council will reflect the broad diversity of the College’s faculty, staff and students. Individuals will be elected so that our unique differences within the college bring about a Council that supports individual and collective achievements to create an environment that is both respectful of these differences and inclusive of all.

Specifically, the Council works to:

1. Fully effectuate and support the College’s four DEIR goals and four College level initiatives and modify the DEIR plan as needed;
2. Review AGNR’s unit DEIR plans and provide input.
3. Comment on policy related issues including ways in which current policy strengthens or detracts from the diversity of the composition of the faculty, staff, student body and eligible clientele; and
4. Present recommendations to the Dean that include strategies, individuals responsible for specific actions, timelines for implementation, and measurable outcomes that reflect continuous improvement of College climate and identify methods that “move the needle” on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and foster respect for AGNR clientele, faculty staff and students.

The council will be comprised of 2 ex officio members and 23 voting members elected by their respective unit or representative group and appointed by the Dean of AGNR for a three-year term.

The nomination process for the council representation is as follows:

1. One Faculty member (TTK) representing each of the six academic units, two representing the University of Maryland Extension, and one Professional Track Faculty (PTK) from the Institute of Applied Agriculture are to be elected by the respective units as determined by the unit’s governance structure. **Note: We ask that units have their TTK faculty representative appointed by March 14, 2022.**
2. Student representation consisting of two Graduate students and two Undergraduate students, will be managed by the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs. The IAA student representative will be managed by the Director of IAA. Students are appointed for a two-year term, eligible for up to two consecutive terms. **Note: We ask that units have their TTK faculty representative appointed by March 14, 2022.**
3. An open nomination and subsequent voting process coordinated by the Dean’s office will be held to elect

• Three (3) Professional Track Faculty (PTK) from on-campus units
• Two (2) Professional Track Faculty (PTK) from UME Extension.
• Two (2) Exempt staff
• Two (2) Non-exempt staff

Members of the College community may nominate individuals or self-nominate by completing the nomination form at this link https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_5duPdmHyilPAE2a. The nomination will include a short bio of the nominee and a statement of what they bring to the council.

All nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, March 1, 2022 with the support of the nominee’s supervisor. Voting will commence Monday, March 7, and close on Friday March 11, 2022. The council will be announced on Friday, March 18, 2022.

We encourage you to read full description of the DEIR Council linked here. We look forward to receiving your nominations and launching the council in the coming weeks. Please contact Amanda Shaffer (shaffer9@umd.edu) if you have any questions.