Dear Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Community,

During the spring semester of the previous academic year (2020-2021),  we conducted a climate survey in the school.  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access are critical for our program and evaluation of the survey results is one step in this process that informs where we are as a school and, importantly, identifies areas where we need to grow and do better as a school.  First, in this email, please find attached a summary of the survey for review.  Dr. Jackie Linnes, Dr. Hyowon Lee, and Dr. Deva Chan have prepared a summary of the data from the survey and also make recommendations.  Over 200 members of the Weldon School provided their reflections, suggestions, and concerns in the anonymous  2020 Climate Survey. I’ve gone over all the data and responses as well and find that this summary is representative of the main themes and content of the survey.  The summary is attached to this email.  

TOWN HALL DISCUSSION
On Oct 29th from 1-2:30pm the Weldon School will be holding a Town Hall in MIIS 2001 and virtually via zoom link to discuss the results of the 2021 Climate Survey and our current and future plans in the school.

I strongly encourage you to participate and also acknowledge that entering into self reflection can be intimidating for many.  During my interview for the Headship, one of my primary goals that I had the privilege to present and also discuss with faculty, students, and staff was to work on the School’s diversity, equity, and inclusion mission and climate.  I believe the community is ready to hold this Town Hall conversation and to work together with empathy, grace, and intentionality so that we can each grow in our community and ensure everyone in the Weldon School feels a sense of belonging and wellbeing. The town hall is a big step in this direction.  Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions about the climate survey results and engage in discussion about Weldon School DEI efforts and priorities both in person and virtually during the Town Hall. We are also providing the linked Qualtrics survey to submit questions and comments anonymously. 
Anonymous Qualtrics comments:https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NMXWH9sDxrhS1U

Additionally, with the goal that each participant is empowered to participate in Town Hall discussion, we have invited an external facilitator from Purdue's Division of Diversity and Inclusion to support the respectful discussion among participants and give voice to the anonymous concerns that are being solicited in advance of the event.

History of DEIA activities and survey in the Weldon School
For those wondering about how we arrived at this point, below are some details from recent BME DEIA work: Purdue BME has had a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (DIWG) led by Andrew Brightman for 4+ years now and the group has done a lot of work to uncover underlying needs at the Weldon School. DIWG held an open forum in July 2020 and found that more proactive School-wide DEI efforts were needed. In August 2020, the BME DEI Steering Committee was initiated with Jackie Linnes directing the efforts. The DEI Steering Committee commenced a number of initial actions including meetings with grad and undergrad students about their specific needs, beginning a Graduate and Postdoc Peer Mentoring Program, an Undergraduate Resource Center, holding Faculty and Staff and Grad DEI Journal Clubs, and hosting a High School Internship Program for minoritized students, as well as contracting with the Higher Education Data Sharing consortium to complete an anonymous Diversity and Equity Climate Survey (analysis attached). The survey goal was to obtain a baseline for our School and to determine where we need to grow. One thing in the climate survey was a need for more communication and transparency around current DEIA support, education, resources, and efforts. The Oct 29th Town Hall will enable discussions of the results of the climate survey, existing resources, and guide future actions and priorities by giving voice to the Weldon School community to provide advice and insights into the needs and implementation.


David M. Umulis
Director | EMBRIO Institute
Dane A. Miller Head and Professor of Biomedical Engineering | Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Professor | Agricultural & Biological Engineering
He/Him/His

o: 765-494-1223 | dumulis@purdue.edu | https://engineering.purdue.edu/~dumulis
Twitter: @professorthermo