SCHOOL OF FOREST, FISHERIES, & GEOMATICS SCIENCES

We are committed to supporting diversity among our students, faculty, and staff. All of society benefits from and depends on natural resources, and thus, natural resource education units and the broader natural resource management workforce should reflect the diverse society in which we live, work, recreate and interact.

 

INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & ACCESS (IDEA) COMMITTEE

All of society benefits from and depends on natural resources, and thus, natural resource education units and the broader natural resource management workforce should reflect the diverse society in which we live, work, recreate and interact. The goal of our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee is to foster and support diversity, inclusion, and equity among our students, faculty, and staff. We aim to facilitate an environment in which we value and learn from each other’s unique experiences, identities, and perspectives to co-create sustainable management of our natural resources and meet the changing needs of people and environments.

The IDEA Committee meets monthly to promote and support a more diverse and welcoming faculty, student body, and workforce within the School. Its members include faculty, staff, and graduate students with a variety of experiences and perspectives. The Committee develops strategies, tools, and policy recommendations; monitors School processes; and continuously engages our faculty, staff, and students on current topics of diversity and inclusion.

Since its founding in 2016, the Committee has:

  • Facilitated conversations and advanced understanding of diversity and inclusion topics through recurrent sharing of resources and in-depth workshops at annual faculty retreats.
  • Created a comprehensive approach to increasing diversity and inclusion in faculty searches, which changed the school’s faculty search policies and procedures. This resulted in a best practices document (Guidelines to Facilitate an Inclusive Faculty Search and Screen Process) that has been circulated both within and beyond the School.

Karen Kainer (co-chair), Taylor Stein (co-chair)
Alison Adams, Mabel Baez (FRC grad student), Shirley Baker, Grenville Barnes, Wendy-Lin Bartels, Grace Burmester (staff), Mysha Clarke, Tim Martin, Martha Monroe, Scott Sager (staff), Victoria Scaff (staff), Kim Scotto-Kelley (staff), Andres Susaeta, Jason Vogel, Charles Wallace (FAS grad student)

CURRENTLY, THE COMMITTEE IS FOCUSED ON:

  1. recruiting and retaining undergraduate and graduate students, including fostering existing relationships with partners at historically black colleges and universities, and
  2. identifying ways to create a more comfortable and inviting culture for all of our students.

RAISE A CONCERN

We value open expression and learning through conversation and each others' experiences.  We also respect and honor the dignity and worth of all members of our community.

If you have experienced or witnessed bias or discriminatory behavior, we hope you will reach to someone you trust to discuss your concerns. UF has additional resources available including the UF respect team (for students), Multicultural and Diversity Affairs and the Office of Human Resource Services. You can also report hate crimes to UFPD and harassment to HR.

RESOURCES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES & AGENCIES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

Accessible UF (ADA) The University of Florida is committed to providing everyone a welcoming and accessible campus. UF strives to ensure individuals with disabilities enjoy reasonable access to services and resources required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal and state regulations.

African Student Union (ASU) The purpose of this organization is three fold; to create and encourage relationships among African students at the University of Florida, the Gainesville community and other organizations, create and foster goodwill, friendship and understanding among African students on the campuses of higher institution of learning in Alachua County, and finally educate members and interested parties in Gainesville and the university community and elsewhere about African culture, traditions and issues affecting the well-being of the African continent.

Asian Graduate Student Organization (AGSO)

Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO)

Black Student Union (BSU) at the University of Florida serves to create, cultivate, and challenge the University of Florida and Gainesville Community.

Gator Cricket Club (GCC) The Gator Cricket Club, affiliated with the University of Florida, is a group of students, faculty, and staff who are interested in competing in different cricket leagues and competitions around the Southeast United States. Our practices consist of an average of 35 players that includes both Undergrads and Grad students who seek to improve their Cricket skills and want to have fun. We invite students from all levels to come out and practice with us.

Hispanic-Latino Affairs (HLA) aims to support, empower and advance the Hispanic-Latino/a community at the UF. By offering culturally and historically relevant programming and initiatives, as well as spaces which welcome all forms of Latinidad and the broader community, HLA educates and forges solidarity between the Hispanic-Latino/a community and its allies.

Indian Graduate Student Association (IGSA) The Indian Graduate Student Association strives to meet the needs and requirements of Indian grad students at the University of Florida, Gainesville. It’s functions range from arranging services such as pick up and temporary accommodation, to organizing social events and festivals to harbor a healthy and fun filled spirit among its members.

Islam on Campus (IOC) Islam on Campus is a student organization at the University of Florida devoted to strengthening and uniting the Muslim community on campus through service, activism, educational and social activities as well as to spreading awareness and educating Muslims and non-Muslims alike about the religion of Islam.

LGBTQ Affairs strives to educate, advocate, and support LGBTQ people and issues at the University of Florida and in the Gainesville community. Through student-centered programming, outreach, community building and advocacy, we are committed to creating a safe and developmentally supportive and affirming campus-community for students, staff, faculty, and alumni of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Latino-Hispanic Organization of Graduate Students (LOGRAS)

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) is a national organization of undergraduate, graduate and professional members with academic and networking opportunities at the local, regional, and national levels. We are committed to representing the diverse backgrounds and areas of study in the agriculture, natural resources, and related science industries; our membership is open to all majors.

UF Multicultural and Diversity Affairs (MCDA) supports and empowers underserved communities and challenges systems, policies and traditions that perpetuate inequities. We will lead the Division of Student Affairs’ social justice and inclusion efforts to accomplish the University of Florida’s diversity goals, by educating, empowering, and mobilizing students, campus stakeholders, and community partners towards creating an inclusive, affirming, and just campus community.

UF Student-Parents was created for University of Florida Gators, past, present, and future that support current and incoming UF Student-Parents/Student-Families and their spouses/partners and children, as well as student-families that are expecting or thinking about starting their families while completing their degrees. It is a place to share activities, events, organization, information, and anything that will inform, support, advise, entertain, or anything relevant UF student-parents (undergrad, grad, professional, etc), their family, and their friends.

University Minority Mentor Program (UMMP) provided through Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, is a valuable opportunity for first-year incoming undergraduate students to enhance their collegiate experience at the University of Florida. As they prepare to navigate the university during their first year, faculty, staff and upper-division students are here to assist them on their journey. Being involved in a mentoring relationship opens up the opportunity for first year students to deepen their relationship with the University of Florida and to jump start their academic careers by gaining insight and receiving support from great mentors.

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) is a grass-roots directed program of discussions, workshops, and networking events designed to foster the success of women and other members of under-represented groups at all stages of their careers in science and engineering by providing a forum for academic and personal guidance and support. We welcome ALL members of the academic community at WiSE events – yes, men too! The purpose of WiSE at UF is to bring together students, post docs, faculty and staff in STEM fields. The activities we plan are aimed at professional and academic development as well as providing support to the women in these fields. We welcome all genders to our meetings and events.

Women’s Student Association (WSA) is a diverse group of student leaders at the University of Florida whose mission is to empower women with the resources, encouragement, and skills they need to become leaders on campus, in the community, and in the world. The Women’s Student Association offers a diverse array of programming that is relevant to all students at UF including the annual Women’s Welcome Assembly, the Women’s Leadership Conference, Women’s History Month, and a Women’s Mentoring Program. The General Membership is open to all students, graduate or undergraduate. WSA accepts all gender, religious, sexual, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and ability identities.

This is only a partial list of the organizations offered by UF to support minority students. If you would like to suggest another UF-affiliated group be added, please send the information to Kim Scotto kscotto@ufl.edu