Commitment to diversity

We, the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, condemn all forms of discrimination and acknowledge the pervasive nature of systemic bias in academia.

We recognize that systemic anti-Blackness, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and transphobia have contributed substantially to a lack of diversity in the biological sciences. We stand in support of all individuals and organizations working towards correcting these injustices. We are committed to holding ourselves accountable for recognizing and eliminating systemic discrimination within our department concerning race, ethnicity, national origins, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and religion. We are dedicated to identifying and dismantling the barriers to accessibility and full participation in our disciplines, as we understand that the greatest scientific advancements will require the full scope of human creativity and experience. We commit to being active participants and leaders in the substantial review and renewal that is needed in education, research and academic policies related to equity. While some solutions are within our immediate reach, others will require the development of policies and practices that can only be implemented at higher administrative levels or in partnership with our surrounding community. We commit to the long-term work required to develop and implement these actions on our campus, in our local community, as well as our broader scientific societies. We recognize that this commitment to meaningful transformation will require ongoing evaluation and refinement. Our initial steps toward the future we envision will be guided by our Biology DEI Committee.