Psychology Department Action Statement on Racism and Diversity
Prejudice, hate and discrimination are learned. Thus, we call on parents, family members, and teachers to be the first line of defense . . . . We call on people everywhere to join us in a journey of understanding and overcoming.
-President Russell M. Nelson.
Recent events have increased our self-reflection as a department. We acknowledge that we, like many institutions, have room for growth in combatting the evils of racism. We commit to continued reflection and increased effort to root out racism in our department and society. Our action plan can be found below:
Department Action Plan
Undergraduate Students
· Learning Module Addressing Racism in PSYCH 111. To ensure that all psychology majors have training in racism and biases we will be including a module on racism, prejudice, biases, and discrimination in all introductory Psychology 111 courses.
· Undergraduate/Graduate Student Led, Faculty Supported Diversity Committee. This committee is tasked with increasing our awareness of student concerns about racism and other areas of diversity through Town Hall meetings, guest lectures, videos, and discussions about race.
Graduate Students
· Graduate Student Recruitment and Orientation. We are developing comprehensive admission criteria to reduce bias, decrease homosocial reproduction (admitting those who are like us), and search for best practices and develop guidelines to implement.
· Diversity Course will be pursued for Non-Clinical Ph.D. Programs. This course will address issues of racism, self and social awareness of stereotypes, prejudices, biases, microaggressions and societal factors involved in racism to prepare students for entering a diverse workforce.
· Develop a one-hour course or twice-yearly seminar required for all graduate students in the major to deal with diversity, inclusion, and bias of all kinds.
Faculty
· Additional Diversity Training for Faculty. We are committed to ongoing training from experts about racism using multiple venues and methods including in faculty meetings, select readings and faculty retreats.
· Faculty training on implementing learning outcomes and curriculum on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
· Recommend that all faculty view diversity session from FHSS 2020 teaching conference.
Current and Ongoing Efforts
Undergraduate Program
· Required courses that directly focus on diversity, biases and racism
o PSYCH 306 - Psychology of Gender or GWS 222 - Intro to Global Women’s Studies. Biological and social contributions to sex role development, sexual self-concept, and complementarity of sex roles.
o PSYCH 305 Multicultural Psychology (previously 390R). Increase awareness of stereotypes, prejudices, privilege, biases, microaggressions and societal factors involved in racism and diversity
· Summer Research Internship Program. This program prepares students from diverse backgrounds for graduate school in psychology
Graduate Program
· Course that directly focus on diversity, biases and racism
o PSYCH 645: Identify and describe how biases influence reactions, increase awareness of racial and cultural differences, and learn strategies to work with diverse groups.
Faculty
· Department Diversity Committee – address issues of racism, equity, and inclusion
· Research on Racism. Seven faculty whose research is directly focused on racism and multiculturalism.
· Faculty who currently serve on National Organization Diversity Committees:
· Committee member: APA’s Advisory Committee for the Chief Diversity Officer over Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Council Member: Inclusion initiative and on Psi Chi’s Diversity Advisory Council
· FHSS college Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion Committee (DCI). Psychology Diversity committee collaborates with FHSS committee to promote the recruitment, training, retention, and mentoring of faculty of color, women faculty, and faculty from other underrepresented groups.
