Inclusion and Diversity

Committee on Inclusion and Diversity (2022-23)

  • Co-Chairs: Susan Boynton (Professor of Music & Area Chair, Historical Musicology) and Seth Cluett (Lecturer in Music, Director, Computer Music Center)
  • Marcos Balter, Fritz Reiner Professor of Composition
  • Lauren Shepherd (doctoral candidate in Music Theory; Diversity, Executive Officer, Organization of Music Graduate Students)

Formed in August 2020, the Department of Music's Committee on Inclusion and Diversity comprises faculty and student representatives. The committee explores ideas about inclusion, diversity, and equity from undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty.

Mission Statement

The Committee on Inclusion and Diversity in the Department of Music at Columbia University was founded in August 2020 and includes faculty and student members. Its primary goal is to establish a safe and inclusive environment for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, physical or cognitive abilities, cultural practices, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including students, staff, and faculty. As the committee's mandate continues to evolve, it remains committed to adapting its efforts to combat all forms of inequity and exclusion at every departmental level.  It is a standing advisory committee that also involves advocacy. The committee encourages input and requests from all members of the Music Department community and beyond. 

Every member of the department is welcome to contact any member of the committee. The entire committee can be reached at music-dei [at] columbia.edu.

 

Events

Past projects and events

In 2020-21, undergraduate member Paisley Smith (Barnard College class of 2021) conducted an informative survey of music majors and concentrators that highlighted their observations and hopes regarding diversity in the department.

In fall 2020, the Organization of Music Graduate Students for which Lauren Bernard (Historical Musicology) served as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer organized three Equity Workshops for the Department.

In 2021-22, Susan Boynton (Historical Musicology) organized a series of three workshops (supported by the committee on equity and diversity of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences) on inclusivity, equity, and diversity in peer-reviewed journal publishing. These discussions were presented by the Heyman Center for the Humanities and sponsored by the Department of Music.

https://sofheyman.org/media/videos/peer-reviewed-journal-publishing-from-the-perspectives-of-editors-and-authors

https://sofheyman.org/events/views-from-the-inside-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-in-the-editing-and-publishing-of-peer-reviewed-journals

https://sofheyman.org/events/working-towards-equity-and-inclusion-in-journal-publication-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-in-the-editing-and-publishing-of-peer-reviewed-journals

 

Funding Opportunities

Committee on Equity and Diversity (CED) Diversity Matters | Equity and Diversity Activities Grants Program 

The Equity and Diversity Activities Grants Program of the Committee on Equity and Diversity encourages and supports initiatives that highlight the benefits and value of diversity to academic excellence and that help create and sustain an inclusive community. Faculty members, departments, centers, and institutes are encouraged to apply for funding to cover costs associated with special events, speakers, workshops, or programs that help advance A&S efforts toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive climate. Programs that are open to more than one unit within A&S are encouraged, as are programs open to multiple groups, including faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and/or staff members.

Examples of prior programs can be found here.

Applications are accepted for:

  • Special events featuring a guest speaker or panel discussion
  • Professional development workshops or programs related to increasing and sustaining diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Initiatives to improve inclusion and diversity in foundational or gateway courses
  • Collaborative Reading Groups on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion with a duration of 1-2 semesters
  • Intergroup Dialogue programs addressing issues of identity, bias, inclusion, and community building that span demographic and/or role (i.e., faculty, student, staff) boundaries
  • Other events or programs responsive to this Request for Proposals

For details, please see the fall 2022 Request for Proposals. Applications should be submitted here by Friday, December 2, 2022. Awards will be announced before the end of the semester.