SCS DEI Update
Jan. 22, 2021
Ramping up toward the new semester, we continue to work on the initiatives that will make the SCS community more welcoming, diverse and inclusive. Steep challenges lay before us, but I am confident that our efforts will continue to move us forward into the light.
Upcoming Events
LGBTQ+ Student Mixer - February 8
The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion is hosting an LGBTQ+ Student Mixer for students on Monday, Feb. 8 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. EST. Join us (virtually!) for a casual meet-and-greet open to graduate and undergraduate students. RSVP for the event. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants on the morning of the event.
The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) is offering a free two-day career fair, including career development workshops and networking within the tech and computing industry. As a CMD-IT program, this event is designed to bring African Americans/Blacks, Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples, Hispanics/Latinxs and People with Disabilities career opportunities to foster greater equity and inclusion in tech. Feb. 3–4. Learn more and register here.
Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion: Tartan Allies
Tartan Allies sessions are offered to CMU faculty, staff and students to foster a network of people committed to working toward an affirming environment for all. The focus is on being an ally to those in the LGBTQ+ community. Tartan Allies comprises three progressive sessions, with participants free to choose the number they wish to complete. As the name suggests, being an ally is not a passive behavior. Good and effective allies listen, learn and act. Join us for Tartan Allies sessions if you are interested in becoming a part of this inclusive and supportive community.
Outreach Initiatives
The SCS Outreach page has a new look! Check it out for an updated overview of SCS’s outreach programs and activities. Don’t see your program listed? Send us an email.
The page will be a one-stop shop for external audiences to learn more about available offerings
The new layout will allow us to know what all of us are working on and allow for easier student referrals among programs
SCS DEI Seminar Series
The SCS Seminar Series on DEI in Computer Science is being planned by a committee chaired by Brad Myers, HCII faculty, with support from Rachel Burcin, RI Summer Scholars; Judeth Choi, HCII Ph.D. student; Melisa Orta Martinez, RI faculty; Bryan Parno, CSD & ECE faculty; and Ashley Patton, CS Pathways program.
They plan to host three or four seminars during the spring semester. Invitations to the speakers are starting to go out, but they are still interested in hearing your ideas through this form (which will remain open for ongoing input and suggestions for future speakers).
All seminars will be virtual and open to all. The committee plans to host speakers representing academic research on DEI in CS, leaders from government and industry on policy and practice on DEI in CS, and community organizers who deal with CS issues. The committee would also like to highlight DEI-related seminars from the departments, so if you know of any, let Brad Myers know.
Ph.D. Student Dean's Advisory Committee
Do you want to challenge racism and make SCS a better place for under-represented groups? If you’ve made it this far in the DEI update email, this means you. Join the Ph.D. Advisory Committee’s Working Group on Anti-Racism! We are the people behind the Toward Anti-Racist Change letter and are working toward making these changes a reality. We’re having an open house on Monday, Feb. 1, from 12 to 1 p.m., where you can hear more about our work and get involved. Join us on Zoom.
Some motivation submitted by an SCS Ph.D. student: “It is not enough to bury our heads and 'just focus on the work’, the work cannot be understood in a vacuum. We cannot be passive, we cannot hide and distance our own actions from the world around us. We cannot help but have an impact, and we can't leave what it will be to chance.” Submit your story about DEI-related challenges at SCS here.
Visit our DEI website for a complete record of these updates and to discover ways to connect and collaborate with the efforts of SCS.
Martial Hebert
Dean, School of Computer Science