To foster an inclusive, collaborative and equitable environment, the Department of Molecular Biology is committed to the following principles.

Promoting Community

• Respect the professional, physical and personal boundaries of colleagues.
• Be courteous in conversation and provide colleagues with chances to voice their thoughts.
• Ensure that criticism, when offered, is constructive, respectful and aimed at creating positive discussion.
• Challenge your own assumptions about people from dissimilar backgrounds.
• Avoid discriminating or making unwelcome jokes or disparaging remarks based on various identities in social as well as professional spaces.
• Strive to ensure that all members of our community have full access to opportunities for professional development, departmental service, and networking that happens in social contexts.
• Acquaint yourself with university policy as set forth in Rights, Rules, Responsibilities

Enhancing Advocacy

• Speak up when others exhibit behavior unbecoming of a community member or are disrespectful of a group or class of people, even when members of that group are not present.
• Be proactive in helping eliminate particular challenges or barriers to success that colleagues may face as members of underrepresented groups.
• Be supportive of those who report violations of department or university policy.
• Seek opportunities for education/training on diversity, inclusivity, reporting and bystander intervention techniques, and encourage others to do the same. For more information, check our resources page.