Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Oakland University is committed to inclusion and diversity in its broadest sense. We join the resounding call for social justice both nationally and globally. As such, we remain, as individuals and as a department, committed to eradicating all kinds of discrimination and hate speech, and all forms of inequality.

In keeping with the values of our disciplines and the Department, we will continue to adhere to principles of equity and social justice by addressing the intersection of power, privilege and oppression in our interactions with others and standing against all forms of injustice both within the institution and in the broader community. As part of our responsibility to confront and dismantle institutional and systemic oppression, we pledge to:

1. Continue to actively work to dismantle structures and ideologies that uphold, normalize, naturalize, and legitimate/justify all forms of inequality.
2. Educate and inspire students to engage with research and activities that promote a more just society.
3. Collaborate with university and community partners to develop and disseminate knowledge about the causes and consequences of inequality.
4. Continue to support and encourage research agendas and methodologies committed to challenging and exposing all forms of injustice.
5. Commit and advocate to address unconscious bias in the search, hiring, and retention processes and to increase diversity in the department.