Climate, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Nurturing diversity, denouncing intolerance, and promoting acceptance

We are committed to improving the social climate within the Ecology and Conservation Biology department by increasing diversity and inclusivity in the enrollment of our undergraduate and graduate programs, in the recruitment of our personnel, and in the daily practice of teaching, research, and outreach in our department.

Our Mission

We take an inclusive approach to the definition of “diversity.” Texas A&M University and the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology are committed to the fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity. We expect a climate that values and nurtures collegiality, diversity, pluralism, and the uniqueness of the individual within our state, nation, and world. Texas A&M University, in accordance with applicable federal and state law, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender identity, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national or ethnic origin, or veteran status in employment, educational programs, and admissions.

Our Vision

A major goal of the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology is to foster a working and learning environment that nurtures diversity, denounces intolerance, and promotes acceptance, through inclusive curriculum, policies, and procedures.

CDEI Action Items

Waive GRE Exam requirement
Non-discrimination syllabus statement
Ongoing departmental conversations
Student recruitment
Student retention
Climate initiatives

Development & Trainings

Aggie Allies

Allies include staff, faculty, and students at Texas A&M University who display an Ally placard outside their office or residence hall room. This sign identifies them as individuals who are willing to provide a safe haven, a listening ear, and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people or anyone dealing with sexual orientation issues. Aggie Allies provides workshop trainings to parties interested in learning more about how to be an ally for the GLBT community. Interested in serving as an Aggie Ally? Register for an Aggie Allies Workshop.

Step-in. Stand-up. Bystander Training

Step In. Stand Up. has been created to bring awareness to our community and encourage others to share our message. Aggies step in as active bystanders to prevent sexual harassment and sexual violence and stand up to support survivors. It creates opportunities to change the culture, the perception and the conversation. Get involved with Step-in. Stand-up.

Difficult Dialogues

In an effort to make Texas A&M a more welcoming and inclusive campus – Difficult Dialogues was developed to host discussions on race relations, racial injustice and discrimination. Difficult Dialogues is an initiative that is open to anybody in the campus community to raise awareness for racism experienced on campus. Learn more about Difficult Dialogues.

Green Dot Intervention Training

Green Dot teaches Aggie faculty/staff and students to be aware of potential violence around them and provides the skills, strategies, and tactics to use the power of peer influence to intervene appropriately and safely in high-risk situations. Green Dot teaches how to become an active bystander when acts of power-based personal violence are witnessed. Get more information about Green Dot Intervention Training.

Academics for Black Lives

Academics for Black Survival and Wellness was organized by a group of Black counseling psychologists and their colleagues who practice Black allyship. Guided by a Black feminist frame, Academics for Black Survival and Wellness hopes to foster accountability and growth for non-Black people and enhance healing and wellness for Black people. They provide an intensive training for non-Black academics to honor the toll of racial trauma on Black people, resist anti-Blackness and white supremacy, and facilitate accountability and collective action. Take action with Academics for Black Lives.

University Networks & Organizations

Reporting Forms

Stop Hate Reporting Form: Individuals may use the online report form to report hate/bias incidents. You have the option to fill in your contact information or submit the report anonymously. Reports submitted anonymously or with limited information may limit our ability to follow up on an incident. Once a report is submitted online, a copy is emailed to a team for appropriate review and necessary action.

Tell Somebody Reporting Form: If a member of the University community observes any behavior that may involve threats to the safety and security of the University community, individuals may report the behavior by contacting one of the team members during business hours or by using the online report form. You have the option to fill in your contact information or submit the report anonymously. Once a report is submitted online, a copy is emailed to the Special Situations Team for appropriate review and necessary action.

Non-Discrimination Statements

Student Non-Discrimination Statement: Texas A&M is committed to the fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity and human dignity. To fulfill its multiple missions as an institution of higher learning, Texas A&M encourages a climate that values and nurtures collegiality, diversity, pluralism and the uniqueness of the individual within our state, nation and world. All decisions and actions involving students and employees should be based on applicable law and individual merit.

Employee Equal Opportunity Statement: Texas A&M University provides equal opportunity to all employees, students, applicants for employment or admission, and the public regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Texas A&M University will promptly investigate all complaints of illegal discrimination, sexual harassment, and related retaliation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Employers who use campus facilities, post jobs on the law school job bank, participate in on-campus interviews or resume collections, must comply with this notice of nondiscrimination in regard to hiring, promotion, retention and conditions of employment. Students may file complaints against an employer who asks discriminatory questions in any program or activity sponsored or conducted at the law school. Under federal law, a limited exception to the foregoing is mandated for military recruiters.

Networks & Organizations

Faculty, Staff, & Former Students:
African American Professional Organization
Black Faculty Alliance
Catholic Faculty and Staff Network
Christian Faculty Network
Christian Staff Network
Faculty and Staff Committed to an Inclusive Campus
Friends of India Network
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Professional Network
Mexican American/Latino Faculty Association
Muslim Faculty Network
Texas A&M Hispanic Network
Women’s Club of Texas A&M University
Women’s Faculty Network
Women Former Students’ Network

Current Students:
African American Student Leadership Institute (AASLI)
African Students Association
Chinese Students and Scholars Association
Hispanic Presidents Council
Indian Students Association
International Graduate Student Association
Mexican Student Association
Out in STEM (oSTEM)
Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Women in Science (WISE)

Diversity & Inclusion Office

Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity
Professor, Department of Communications

Texas A&M University
001 Jack K. Williams Administration Building
TAMU 1360; College Station, TX 77843-1360
Phone: (979) 458-2905
Email: diversity@tamu.edu
Website: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Inclusive Exellence

Dr. Craig Coates
Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Department of Entomology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
600 John Kimbrough Blvd.
College Station, TX 77843
Phone: (979) 845-3712
Email: aglifesciences@tamu.edu
Website: Inclusive Excellence

University Resources and Services

Texas A&M University is dedicated to providing resources to advance the health and wellness of its students, faculty and staff.

Safety, Health, and Wellness Resources
Academic & Professional Resources

Funding & Research Opportunities

OGAPS Diversity Fellowship

Diversity at Texas A&M University is an indispensable component of academic excellence. The TAMU Graduate Diversity Excellence Fellowship seeks to increase the diversity of the graduate student population at Texas A&M University. The Fellowship also aims to support the development of high achieving scholars who show promise for distinguished careers and whose life, research experiences and/or employment background will contribute significantly to academic excellence at TAMU and will maximize the educational benefits of diversity for all students. View the Diversity Fellowship.

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

Texas A&M University System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation runs many programs to support historically underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to complete their bachelor degrees and to pursue graduate school in STEM fields. Visit LSAMP.

Professional Conduct

To meet the mission and vision of the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, this Code of Professional Conduct outlines the expectations for all faculty, staff, and students. The goal is to foster equity, inclusivity, and diversity while advancing research in ecology and conservation biology.

Promote an Inclusive and Respectful Environment

Members of the department are expected to create an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and recognized. Aligning with the Texas A&M Code of Conduct as well as federal and state laws, members will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or race, color, national or
ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Members are expected to respect differing ideals and beliefs from all individuals and maintain civility and professionalism in discourse. Members will not engage in harmful behaviors or create intimidating places of work for other faculty, staff, or students.

Uphold Scientific and Professional Integrity

Members of the department are expected to create honest and objective work that is free from misinformation, plagiarism, and personal prejudices and biases. Members should adhere to academic and industry standards for ethically collecting and reporting data.

Commitment to Ethical Research

Members of the department are expected to follow all ethical guidelines for human and animal research in laboratory and field settings. This includes obtaining proper authorizations to conduct research at the institutional, state, federal, and global levels. For example, approval at the institutional level requires review by Texas A&M’s Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (animal research) and Institutional Review Board (human research).

Staying Aware

Members of the department are expected to stay aware of new information and issues not only within the scientific community but within the broader community. Members should pay attention to how current events and issues impact our community. Members should know where they can report potential issues relating to professional and ethical conduct.

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