Inclusion and Equity in Physics & Astronomy
- Reporting issues and concerns
- Getting support
- Policies
- Best Practices
- Inclusion and Equity Committee
- More links
Value Statement
Physics and astronomy are best done in an inclusive environment. The students, staff, and faculty of the Physics & Astronomy Department are committed to professional interactions, with respect and consideration of the rich and diverse backgrounds of all its members. We expect each member of our department to encourage and support a culture of equality and inclusion of all social identities in all activities in which we participate and to uphold all Ohio University diversity policies.
Reporting Issues and Concerns
- For issues specific to the Physic & Astronomy Department, you may want to contact one of your professors, your research adviser, the Physics & Astronomy Department chair Dr. David Ingram or the Physics & Astronomy ombusd-person Dr. Martin Kordesh.
- Reporting with the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (CSSR) ("Community Standard Incident report," "Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Incident Report," and "Academic Misconduct Incident Report"): The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility aims to advance the educational mission of Ohio University and the Division of Student Affairs by providing meaningful opportunities for students to learn what it means to be a member of the Ohio University community and the Bobcat Family.
- Reporting with The Office of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance (ECRC) ("Sexual misconduct" and "Discrimination/bias"): ECRC ensures that the University maintains an employment and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. ECRC monitors the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate and prevent discrimination on the basis of protected status.
- Reporting with the Title IX officer: The Title IX Coordinator can be reached by email at titleix@ohio.edu or by phone at 740-593-9140.
Getting Support at Ohio University and Within our Professional Associations
Ohio University
- Academic Support Services
- Commuter Student Services
- First Generation Programming
- Transfer Experience
- Veteran and Military Student Services Center
- Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention
- Student Accessibility Services
- LGBT Center
- International Student and Faculty Services
- Women's Center
- Students challenged by basic needs: Bobcats Helping Bobcats is a way for students, staff and faculty to support students on the Athens campus who are experiencing emergencies that may impact their overall well-being and ability to be successful in college.
- Confidential Resources: Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Care (Student Health Center), Survivor Advocay Program (SAP), Employee Assistance Program.
- Ohio University's recognized Employee Affinity Organizations: Council of Employees and Staff of African Descent (COESAD) , Latino Caucus, Out OHIO, Ohio University Women's club, University Interfaith Association.
Professional Societies
- Information compiled by the American Institute of Physics AIP Diversity Initiative)
- Scholarship and Awards: Awards, fellowships scholarships and other funding sources are available for under-represented minorities in physics.
- Services and Programs: Programs, courses and other services—such as newsletters or reduced membership fees—are provided by AIP's Member Societies to support under-represented minorities in physics. AIP's Member Societies are ASA, AAPM, AAPT, AOS, ACA, AMS, APS, AVS, OSA and SR.
- Under-represented populations:
Best Practices for Diversity Inclusion and Equity
In Physics & Astronomy
- LGBT+ Inclusivity in Physics and Astronomy: A Best Practices Guide, 85 pages, 2018.
- Task Force Recommendations Outline Changes Needed to Increase African American Physics and Astronomy Students, IAP.
- Final Report of the 2018 AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education, American Astronomical Society
- Effective Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Women in Physics, American Physical Society
- APS Inclusion, diversity and Equity Alliance and An IDEA for Physics Organizations,
- Best Practices & Guidelines for Achieving Inclusivity at Meetings, by AIP
- Statistics & report on Diversity by AIP. Surveys and other data-driven reports on the representation of minority populations in physics.
In Ohio University
Ohio University Policies
- 03.003: Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
- 03.004: Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking
- 03.006: Whistle-blowing and Retaliation
- 04.001: Information Technology Accessibility
- 12.021: Student Names
- 40.001: Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity
- 40.121: Recruitment and Selection of Faculty and Staff
- 41.135: Workplace Violence
Inclusion and Equity Committee of the Physics & Astronomy Department
The goals of the committee are to assess the diversity, inclusion and equity climate of the Physics & Astronomy Department, to affirm and communicate those values within the department, and to research and implement best practices.
- Roster of the Inclusion and Equity committee: J. Frantz, S. Ulloa, and J. Roche.
Please feel free to contact committee members with any generic issues or concerns you may have about diversity, inclusion and equity climate in the department. We encourage you to report specific and personal issues to the persons and offices listed above in the section Reporting issues - Strategic goals: coming soon
- IE actions in the department (please send corrections and additions)
- Member of the APS-IDEA network
- Support SPS and WIPHA lunches.
- Invite Inclusion, Diversity and Equity colloquium speakers (e.g. 2020: E. Bertschinger (slides), 2019: W. Rogers ).
- Support travel to Inclusion, Diversity and Equity national meetings: CUWIP, RPR and more.
- Facilitate (and track) IDE trainings: e.g. SVSH prevention training for grad students (assigned by the Arts & Sciences dean).
- ....
- Diary
- May 2020: join the APS-IDEA network.
- Fall 2019 to Spring 2020:
- Preparation of the value affirming poster (note: looking for better pictures, PH suggested that the first and second sentences be switched in order so that the second sentence comes first (e.g. "Physics is best done in an inclusive environment. The students staff...") He suggested to qualify the "Physics" part of that as: Physics and Astronomy is best done in an inclusive environment. ) JR suggests : first sentence to "Physics and Astronomy are best done in an inclusive and equitable environment" and last sentence to " We expect each member of our Department to encourage and support a culture of equality equity and inclusion of all social identities in all activities in which we participate, and to uphold all Ohio University diversity policies."
- Preparing this IE website.
- Fall 2019: funding of the committee. Funding members are R. Chornock, J. Frantz, S. Ulloa, and J. Roche (chair). Develop a mission statement.