DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
2023-2024 Membership
| NAME | EMAIL ADDRESS | TERM |
| Eveline Baesu, Mechincal and Materials Engineering | ebaesu@unl.edu | July 2024 |
| Roberto Cortinas, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences | rcortinas@unl.edu | July 2025 |
| Robin Garewal, Marketing, Non-tenure Track Faculty Representative | rgarewal2@unl.edu | July 2025 |
| Lisa Crockett, Psychology | ecrockett1@unl.edu | July 2026 |
| Amy Schmidt, Biological Systems Engineering | aschmidt@unl.edu | July 2026 |
| Aaron PeeksMease, Sociology, CHAIR | apeeks3@unl.edu | July 2026 |
| Tony Roebuck, Durham School of Architectural Engineering & Construction | troebuck@unl.edu | July 2026 |
| Neeta Kantamneni, Office of Diversity and Inclusion representative | nkantamneni2@unl.edu | cont. |
| Ritsa Giannakas, ASUN Representative | rgiannakas@gmail.com | July 2024 |
| Breanne Burton, GSA Representative | bburton3@huskers.unl.edu | July 2024 |
| Kim Schellpeper, Staff Senate Representative | kschellpeper@huskers.com | July 2024 |
| Mirhuanda Meeks, UNOPA Representative | mmeeks2@unl.edu | July 2024 |
STRUCTURE
The committee shall consist of 13 members, all appointed by the Faculty Senate President including:
a) Four tenured or tenure-leading faculty members
b) Two non-tenure track faculty members, at-large who have a minimum of three years of service to the university (non-Extension)
c) One Extension Educator
d) One faculty member appointment nominated by the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
e) One UAAD Representative (non-voting)
f) One UNOPA Representative (non-voting)
g) One ASUN Representative (non-voting)
h) One GSA Representative (non-voting)
i) Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion or designee (non-voting)
The Committee shall elect from the faculty members a chair and chair-elect that coincides with Faculty Senate elections. The Chair will report annually to the Faculty Senate.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Faculty Senate Diversity & Inclusion Committee supports the university’s diversity and inclusive excellence efforts by actively assessing how well the university’s policies promote diversity, equity, and inclusion of thoughts, ideas, and people among the faculty; promoting diversity and inclusion across all disciplines; reviewing and recommending solutions to issues regarding policies and practices in the areas of faculty development; faculty recruitment and retention; scholarship and research, and curriculum; providing material, curricular support, and guidance for faculty teaching, research/creative activity, and service related to diversity and inclusion; and liaising and coordinating between the Faculty Senate and key university units and stakeholders on the previously mentioned areas, including but not limited to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion—including Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services, Chancellor’s Diversity Commissions, Council on Inclusive Excellence and Diversity, Global Engagement, Institutional Equity and Compliance, Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, LGBTQA+ and Women’s Centers, Military & Veteran Success Center, and other relevant parties.
The specific duties of the committee include, but are not limited to:
1. Reviewing periodically promotion and tenure practices across the university ensure issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are being addressed, and recommending policies and practices, if necessary.
2. Advising the Faculty Senate President and Executive Committee on the impact of University policies, programs and services on diversity and inclusion.
3. Reviewing policies, programs and services related to diversity and inclusion of faculty.
4. Bringing concerns to the Senate, as appropriate, and recommend to the Senate Executive Committee such actions or policies as it deems appropriate.
5. Providing a forum to which faculty, staff, and students may refer questions and recommendations concerning University diversity-related policies and procedures.
