Diversity Statement

Respecting Differences

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program encourages diversity and equality in all areas of campus life. Our WGS courses and professors respect differences in background and identity, including but not limited to race, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, ethnicity, age, national origin, creed, religion, disability, and class.

Setting Standards of Inclusivity

The Women’s and Gender Studies classroom environment is inclusive: which means that differences are not ignored, but rather that students can have space to bring their various identities into conversation. Identities will be respected and affirmed in the classroom.

Students have space to bring their various identities into conversation with class material as they find helpful, but are not expected to represent or speak for an entire group of people who share aspects of an identity.

Embracing Dialogue

Students must be willing to engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints, even when that means challenging them and bringing out areas of ambivalence. Students must demonstrate a real desire to participate in civil dialogue, to listen without judgement, and to broaden their own perspective.

Understanding that diversity and inclusion improve the learning environment for all students and enhance excellence within the program, we expect students to honor and respectfully listen to differences that may come up in the classroom setting, and to listen and respond to other points of view.