Home » Diversity » Equity Advisors Contact List » Roles of the Faculty Equity Advisors
Roles of the Faculty Equity Advisors
NOTE: Graduate Division offices will be closed from 3 p.m. November 25, 2009 through November 27, 2009. We will be open for business as usual on Monday, November 30, 2009.
Each department on the Berkeley Campus has a faculty Equity Advisor who is appointed by the Department Chair to ensure that diversity and equity are considered in all aspects of the academic unit’s functions. The following list provides guidelines as to how the Equity Advisor can support the academic unit in achieving its inclusion goals. These roles are not static, as they continually evolve.
Strategic Planning
- Participate in the strategic planning process for the academic unit, making sure that diversity is a meaningful and active part of the plan, with objectives and assessments of success.
Faculty Recruitment, Advancement and Retention:
- Provide advice as needed to the chair/dean and to the search committee to ensure that diversity is being considered and that proactive and inclusive search practices are used for recruiting and selecting new faculty. The President’s and Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Programs have particularly attractive pools.
- Review the demographic diversity of the availability pool, the applicant pool, the candidates selected for interviews, and the faculty in the academic unit. Present a report on the review to the faculty in the academic unit. When necessary, work with the academic unit and with support from the Office for Faculty Equity and the Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion toward full utilization of availability pools.
- Provide assistance to the chair/dean to ensure equity in advancement and retention. Work with the chair/dean to evaluate the progress of ladder faculty to identify those making less than normal progress. Work with these faculty on strategies for development.
- Assist faculty in presenting effectively diversity work they may have done in their merit/promotion cases (see APM 210-d).
Graduate Student Admission and Advancement:
- Consult with the graduate admissions committee to: (1) confirm that diversity is being considered and that proactive practices are used for recruiting and selecting new graduate students, (2) follow-up regarding specific student admission cases as necessary, and (3) request additional admissions allocations to increase departmental diversity.
- Provide assistance to the academic unit: (1) to make sure qualified students are nominated for diversity fellowships or other forms of support, (2) to encourage faculty participation in the fellowship committee.
- Review the demographic diversity of the availability pool, the applicant pool, the admitted pool, and the graduate students in the academic unit. Present a report on the review to the faculty in the academic unit. When necessary, work with the academic unit, the disciplinary Diversity Director (where one exists), and the Graduate Diversity Program toward full utilization of talent pools.
- Be a resource to the chair/dean to best ensure that all graduate students are making adequate progress and receiving the attention they need. When necessary, work with the academic unit and with support from the Graduate Diversity Program in resolving any issues.
Climate of Equity and Inclusion:
- Help to foster a hospitable environment for welcoming and socializing new staff, faculty, and graduate students to the academic unit by being aware of and promoting best practices.
- Work with staff, faculty, and students to ensure that intra-academic unit policies, practices, and procedures foster a friendly, fair, and professional environment.
- Serve as a resource for addressing equity and inclusion issues that affect the unit’s cultural climate. Consult with the chair/dean or appropriate campus officers when necessary to deal with challenging problems.
- Review climate survey and other relevant data when available. Report on such data to the faculty in the department/school. Participate in plans for change, if necessary.
Please contact your departmental equity advisor should you have an issue you'd like to discuss. Questions regarding the Faculty Equity Advisors may be directed to Carla Trujillo, Ph.D., Director, Graduate Diversity Program, 643-7550, carlat@berkeley.edu.
Find and contact a Faculty Equity Advisor 
