Clark University’s Graduate School of Geography (GSG) is deeply committed to promoting, supporting, and sustaining a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
As part of this commitment, the GSG established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to develop initiatives in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion; to monitor departmental climate and culture regarding diversity-, equity-, and inclusion-related matters; and to provide a forum wherein faculty, staff, and students can discuss the wider role of academia in promoting more just and equitable societies. Foundational to this commitment are these guiding principles:
- We understand diversity to be manifest in several dimensions and intersections including: racial and ethnic identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, abilities, health status, age, nationality, immigration status, religion, socioeconomic background.
- We are committed to the increased development, support, retention, and recruitment of diverse faculty, staff, and students.
- We believe that it is essential to recognize diversity, equity, and inclusion as an important context for all facets of the work we do (e.g., teaching, mentoring, research, and service) here at Clark and in our external, professional activities.
- We recognize that all members of the GSG have an individual, shared, and collective responsibility to support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community, at Clark University, and within the field of geography and any other scholarly/professional communities in which we participate.
- We seek to identify, understand and transform the social, economic, environmental, and political drivers of structural inequalities through our pedagogical, professional, and scholarly work.
- In light of our commitment to creating an environment in which every member feels able to learn, participate, and contribute, we condemn expressions of discrimination and hate speech, in accordance with University values regarding both free and respectful speech.
Additional Links and Resources
- Coming Home Worcester’s list of immigrant services
- Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
- Community health center that provides quality, comprehensive care
- LGBT Asylum Task Force
- A community-based organization dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQI individuals who are seeking asylum in the United States.
- Open Sky Community Services
- Mental health services
- Pathways for Change
- PFC is a nonprofit organization that gives “quality and multicultural” services and support to individuals impacted by sexual violence; also provides educational services. Affiliated with the Mass Chamber of Commerce.
- PFLAG of Greater Worcester
- Local chapter of a national organization, which aims to support, advocate for, and provide educational resources to the parents, friends, and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
- Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center
- Nonprofit grassroots organization that provides social services and other support to immigrant communities.
- Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ)
- A city-level chapter of a national network; SURJ is an organization for white people to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Stone Soup
- Grassroots social justice organization
- UMass Memorial Community Health Link
- Mental health services
- ZIA Young Adult Access Center
- ZIA is a peer-run, trauma-informed resource center for young adults (ages 16-22) who need support for mental health and substance abuse issue
- Massachusetts Department of Civil Rights
- MassEquality
- MassEquality is a statewide grassroots organization that aids in the fight against discrimination based on gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation.