Current events at Vanderbilt and around the world have highlighted the necessity for those in positions of leadership to take note of and address issues of diversity, power, and inclusion on our college campuses. In particular, it has become apparent over the last several years that the needs of certain underrepresented and historically marginalized populations are not being met on Vanderbilt’s campus, the most pressing need being the provision of a safe and welcoming learning and growing environment. In addition, while the needs and voices of undergraduate students have been a major part of the advocacy that has happened on our campus, there has been a notable lack of graduate student cohesion and voice in these endeavors.
The mission of the Committee is to serve as the main advocacy unit for graduate and professional issues related to diversity, inclusion, and power affecting historically and contemporarily marginalized populations on the Vanderbilt University campus.
Goals of this committee include: (1) collecting information on graduate student experiences and perspectives related to issues of diversity and inclusion, (2) communicating information about diversity initiatives to graduate students, and (3) maintaining communication with campus initiatives, including the Chief Diversity Officer, the campus-wide diversity committee, and other student initiatives.
The objectives of this committee are in line with a series of initiatives recently undertaken by the university, including the formation of two overlapping student committees working with both the new Chief Diversity Officer and the diversity and inclusion council. This graduate committee works both as a part of and in coordination with the Graduate Student Council.
As a matter of justice, this work is important for all campus leaders to address in order to enrich the lives of all of our students and contribute to the creation of a more just society in any way we can.