The Department of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable department. We ask that all members of the Sociology community—faculty, staff, and students—be mindful of our responsibility to create an environment that is welcoming to all, and where each person feels accepted, included, seen, heard, valued, and safe. We recognize that learning how to be inclusive and respectful is an iterative process and sometimes we all act in imperfect ways. As sociologists, we are aware that we are all inheritors of systems of inequality, whether to our advantage or our disadvantage. We also acknowledge that we each are privileged in various ways. We strive to create safe spaces to encourage productive dialogue with the goal of learning from our mistakes and changing for the better.
We strive for excellence in all we do. True excellence requires each individual to be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and acceptance. Our commitment to equity and inclusion requires each of us to continuously ensure that our interactions be respectful. We recognize that marginalized groups of people have unique experiences in the Pioneer Valley and within the larger society. We are committed to making our department a place that counteracts, to the best of our abilities, those processes of marginalization, and that inspires academic freedom and creativity.
Whenever and wherever possible, our department will affirm this commitment to values that oppose racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, transphobia, classism, and hatred based on religious identity publicly and explicitly. As a department dedicated to social justice, we will take very seriously reports, formal or informal, of harassment and discrimination. We will make every effort to ensure that this commitment manifests in our department's policies, programs, and practices.
In the Department of Sociology, we:
- Value equity, inclusion, and dignity for all.
- Insist on a culture of respect and recognize that words and actions matter. The absence of action and words also matter.
- Encourage respectful expression of ideas and perspectives.
- Will not tolerate sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and other overt and covert forms of prejudice and discrimination.
- Share in the responsibility to create a positive culture and to safeguard equity, inclusion,dignity, respect, and safety for all. Each member of our community—faculty, staff, and students—should be a role model for others.
- Will take action when we observe people being treated unfairly or in a demeaning manner.
- Envision and strive to foster an inclusive, welcoming department.
Diversity at UMass
- Main UMass Diversity site: http://www.umass.edu/diversity/
- Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS)
- Center for Women & Community (CWC)
- The Stonewall Center, a LGBTQIA+ Resource Center
- Multi-Cultural Greek Council
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
- Women of Color Leadership Network
- International Programs Office
- English as a Second Language
Resources for help at UMass
- OMBUDS office
- Disability Services
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
- Dean of Students Office
- "Recognizing and helping students in crisis": resources for faculty and staff
- Veteran Services
- Graduate Employee Organization
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program