It is our social responsibility as scientists and engineers to have an inclusive and equitable environment reflecting societal demographics and perspectives. Creativity and innovation are fostered in environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion exist. As a college and institution, we aim to incorporate these values into our interactions with one another, our teaching, research and outreach programs.
Welcome to the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pages. We intend these pages to serve as a resource for faculty, staff and students to continue to collaborate, learn and invest in diversity programs and activities. As engineers and scientists, we only succeed if all people and ideas are valued, particularly given the complexity of the global challenges that we face.
Since Dean David McLean created my position in 2018, we have developed a baseline to measure our success, identified areas for improvement, and created training opportunities and programs that we will continue to grow. See our progress to date and contact me if you’d like to help the college achieve its goals. We look forward to continuing our journey with you.
The ENgage series features seminars and workshops to enhance the visibility of diverse scholars, scientists, engineers, and educators working on equity and inclusion.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to advance their knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to learn actions they can take to co-create an inclusive and equitable college community.
Fall 2021 interview series: CSU Engineering student interviews Dean David McLean
In this clip, Chemical and Biological Engineering student Michelle Hefner, President of the CSU chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, interviews Dean David McLean about the college’s efforts regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“As a College community, our actions must speak louder than our words. It is especially important in such times that we must support each other as we continue to confront any acts of violence, racism, xenophobia, harassment, or discrimination — in our work environments as well as in the world around us. We can only advance if we advance together.”
For our college community members of color, we condemn these racist and social injustices that continue to perpetuate fear and marginalization. We acknowledge the fatigue, emotional stress, frustration and deep pain that is continually experienced by Black and African American members of our community, and we are in this together to support you.
We are committed to advancing the diversity of our college community, building a culture of inclusion, and researching and embracing equitable solutions to global challenges. We are committed to being agents of change to break down structures of inequity that perpetuate racism and bias.
We know we have work to do. We must stand up and speak out in support of one another.
Our campus community has a number of resources that I encourage you to read and utilize:
It is greatly upsetting to us that we are sending out yet another note about an act of racism or hatred that has been tied to our college. This most recent incident, described in the Collegian as the public posting of a fake restaurant that disparages Asians, is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. The article specifically references our college: “Students associated with the Instagram account and the reviews on Google are predominantly connected to the engineering department.”
Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC)
We are saddened that some members of our campus community seem to have no empathy or understanding of the harmful impact of their hateful message on their fellow students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. To be a member of the WSCOE community means we care about people. We solve problems for people. We take the best ideas and innovation from as many places as possible for the best outcome, which means that we have ZERO tolerance for racism and hatred. The college is working on a number of initiatives outlined in the diversity strategic plan on this page to ensure that everyone feels welcome here, and we are all responsible for creating a place of inclusion. There is no place for people in our community who cannot embrace the university’s Principles of Community.
This is articulated through the statement below released by the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC) in response to this incident:
The Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC) at Colorado State University is deeply disgusted and condemns the presence and increased following of this Instagram account for a non-existent restaurant. The implications of such an establishment are to propagate Anti-Asian sentiment and must be seen unequivocally as an act of racism. Even if such an establishment has the intention of situational humor, this deeply offensive creation publicizes racial vilification and continues to deter us from our mission of racial equity and inclusiveness.
Navigating COVID-19 has been made difficult during these challenging times from continued microaggressions from our national leadership referring to the “Chinese Virus” and “Kung Flu.” With the recent rise of racism and hate directed at the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community, this account desecrates the role and importance of food to APIDA culture. This highly offensive account only heightens and denigrates the narrative of the Asian community by perpetuating problematic Asian stereotypes including racial colloquialisms, insulting logo, and the national narrative of the “Chinese Virus.”
The various accounts on social media (Instagram, Yelp and Google) are a continuous reminder of the harmful, appalling, and disgusting nuances that white supremacy has created and allows to be perpetuated with little accountability, by encouraging the mockery and oppression of the APAIDA community.
We cannot stay silent any longer. APACC denounces this fake establishment and supports the university efforts to ask that this account be removed.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are feeling upset and hurt by this incident or if you want to share additional concerns. We stand together against racism. We are here to support you.
Dave McLean, Dean
Melissa Burt, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
Anthony Marchese, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Colorado State University is committed to creating a culture and climate that respects and honors people of all identities.
Like our names, pronouns (i.e., zir, they, per, she, he) reflect how we want to be respected in our identities. This is especially important for those who are Transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming.
United in STEMM is an initiative to institutionalize support, learn of students’ needs, and address gaps as we know them for undergraduate students of color, regardless of their gender expression or sexual orientation, in STEMM disciplines currently enrolled at CSU.
The new EngrNet college intranet has resources for faculty and staff, including recorded ENgage events and community discussion boards for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Log in with your CSU eID, on campus or through the VPN.
CSU Office of the Vice President for Diversity
In order to directly address antiracism at Colorado State University, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity announces a series of racial justice-focused sessions.
Join Dr. Cori Wong for a series of community discussions on a variety of topics surrounding equity, anti-racism work, and diversity at CSU. Topics and descriptions available at the link.
“Strategies for Responding to Sexual Harassment and Improving Workplace Climate,” 2020
Professional Development Workshop Series “Increasing Inclusivity in the WSCOE Classroom for Faculty/Staff” in Collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, 2019
This calendar was created to highlight the wide diversity of holiday, belief and faith traditions being celebrated by CSU students, faculty and staff and in our community.
If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911.
If you believe you have been the victim of a crime, bias-related or otherwise, please contact CSU Police Department at 970-491-6425.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional difficulty or mental health illness, call the CSU Counseling Center at 970-491-7111 if you are a student, or the Employee Assistance Program 970-491-1527 if you are an employee.
If we are provided with contact information for the reporting party or impacted party someone from the appropriate office or resource will reach out to those impacted by the reported behavior.
All reports will be treated with discretion and a reasonable expectation of confidentiality. Information from this form may be shared with appropriate individuals in order to help protect the safety and health of those involved in any incident.
You may remain anonymous when reporting through this form. However, it’s very helpful to have your contact information and name in case there is a need to obtain more information about the situation or clarify information. Every attempt will be made to review and address the concerns you submit on this form, but without adequate information, the university may not be able to respond as effectively. Therefore your contact information is strongly encouraged.
