Strategy & Action Plan
In March 2021 Smith School of Business released its EDII Strategy & Action Plan.
Its development was guided by Smith’s EDII Task Force and Working Groups, and is the continuation of efforts by many including students, staff, faculty, and alumni who individually and collectively have courageously spoken out, shared personal experiences, raised awareness, and devoted time and effort to advance equity, diversity, anti-racism, and inclusion.
It draws from past reports including the Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (PICRDI), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force Final Report, and the Reform Smith Proposal expressing the urgent need for accountability and action.
The Smith EDII Task Force and its component working groups played a key role in developing draft recommendations. In addition, the school hosted virtual town halls with faculty and staff, as well as smaller group consultations with the Smith EDII Task Force, the EDII alumni working group, and leaders of Reform Smith and other equity-focused student groups. Approximately 250 individuals participated in these live meetings. In addition, all members of the Smith community — staff, alumni, faculty and staff — were invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on a draft version of the strategy.
The strategy below incorporates ideas and recommendations shared through the consultation process.
Detailed plan One-page overview
Moving Our EDII Strategy Forward
The Dean of Smith School of Business established an EDII Task Force in June 2020 to describe systemic barriers to EDII, develop and recommend actions, review targets and measures, and thereby contribute to the establishment of a Smith EDII Strategy and Action Plan.
The Working Groups were focused on:
- Physical, Virtual & Safe Spaces
- Incorporating EDII in Teaching and Learning
- Policy, Process and Practice Reform
- Advancement and Alumni Engagement in Support of EDII
- EDII Research and Thought Leadership
Responsibility for the ongoing work to implement the Smith EDII Strategy and Action Plan lies with specific units, teams, committees and individuals within Smith to leverage our resources and capacity, and will be overseen by the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Smith.
The Task Force and associated working groups have completed their work, and the new Smith EDII Committee will help continue the work ahead.
Learn more about the Committee