The Department of Biological Sciences at NIU stands against oppression in all its forms. We stand for social and racial justice and are working to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in our department. We recognize that biological sciences has a long history of colonialism, racism and white supremacy and has participated in oppressive endeavors, including biological racism, eugenics and inhumane treatment of and experimentation on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). That history and that of our society mean institutionalized, systemic racism is still a part of biology today.
We have recently formed a DEI committee that has helped to remove the GRE from consideration in our graduate application process, instituted DEI discussions as part of regular faculty meetings, and edited our bylaws to ensure search committees have student representation and that tenure/promotion criteria are clear and equitable. We commit to further amending our policies, practices and curricula, to continue to make our department a better, more welcoming place for all faculty, students and staff.
We are currently in the process of creating a webpage where people can view our departmental DEI goals and progress toward them. If you have something you'd like to see in the department regarding DEI, please contact the DEI committee at BIOSDEI@mail.niu.edu.