Initiatives and Resources
The UMD Astronomy Department is strongly committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEIA) within our field:
The DEIA Committee's goals include raising awareness and tackling issues related to inclusion and diversity in astronomy and related fields.
- Astronomy Department's Statement on Police Brutality
- DEIA Suggestion Box - A place to leave feedback regarding equity, diversity and inclusion issues within the department.
ACE's goals include facilitating community between the undergraduates studying astronomy, discussing the challenges minority groups in science face, and giving graduate students a chance to share their experiences through this mentoring opportunity.
GRAD-MAP aims to improve the future prospects of individuals without access to research opportunities in Astronomy and Physics. In addition, it provides graduate students with opportunities to gain teaching and mentoring experience. The program focuses on undergraduate students from community colleges and institutions that do not offer STEM research internships. It seeks to inform these students about careers in physics and astronomy, teach them a variety of research skills, and provide opportunities to gain hands-on research experience.
The Astronomy Department's BANG! Seminar (Better Astronomy for the New Generation!) features speakers and discussions on issues of equity and inclusion, career paths, and soft skills for astronomers.
A collection of resources pertaining to DEIA within the university and greater astronomy community along with tools to fight and report harassment and discrimination.
Harassment, Discrimination & Hate-Bias Incidents
The UMD Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct website provides information and links for:
- Free, confidential on-campus help including CARE to Stop Violence, the student Counseling Center, the student Mental Health Service, and the Faculty Staff Assistance Program for non-student mental health and workplace concerns, as well as off-campus resources.
- UMD reporting options and obligations for sexual misconduct and discrimination.
- UMD policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct, discrimination, and accessibility.
For reporting Hate-Bias incidents use the Hate-Bias Incident Report Form. Also, please consult the Bias Incident Response Protocol and information on the Bias Incident Support Services (BISS) (formerly, the Hate-Bias Response Program). Although not required, the department chair encourages all to notify him as well.
How to Help Students or Colleagues in Distress
Department members are strongly encouraged to pay attention to colleagues and students and help when someone is in distress. The Counseling Center maintains an excellent guide to helping students in distress; see "Helping Students in Distress", which describes what to do and not do for a range of scenarios. Most advice is also relevant for colleagues.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Resources
American Astronomical Society (AAS) Code of Ethics and Anti-Harassment Policy
- AAS Code of Ethics
- AAS Anti-Harassment Policy for AAS & Division Meetings & Activities
- AAS Ethics Complaint Form
Astronomy Department Committees, Organizations, and Resources
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEIA) Committee
- Better Astronomy for a New Generation! (BANG!) Seminar
- Astronomy Community Engagement (ACE)
- Graduate Resources for Advancing Diversity with Astronomy & Physics at Maryland (GRAD-MAP)
- AstroBetter Parental Leave Policies
- Astronomy Department Policies
UMD Organizations
- Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy
- Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS)
- Black Graduate Student Union (BGSU
- Campus Chaplains
- Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Equity Center
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
AAS Diversity Committees
- Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (CSMA)
- Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy (CSWA)
- Committee for Sexual-Orientation and Gender Minorities in Astronomy (SGMA)
- Working Group on Accessibility and Disability (WGAD)
