“The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, Riah Milton, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others have sparked large protests and brought renewed focus to the systemic racism that Black Americans face across the United States. We, as members of the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) community at University of Michigan (UM), grieve with those horrified by these tragedies and echo the calls for justice for people victimized by racism and police brutality across this country.” 

This excerpt comes from an open letter penned by student and postdoc leaders of our community that reinvigorated departmental efforts and commitment to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.

Change starts from within. The CEE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee recognizes a need to end the cycle of racism and social injustice that has particularly affected Black Americans. The committee will work to create a community (students, postdocs, staff and faculty) that is united behind addressing this need through self-reflection, awareness, education, opportunities and advocacy leading to a greater and equitable voice in the discipline of Civil and Environmental to diverse identities.

The Committee will create, maintain and implement a roadmap toward ensuring racial and social equity within the department, its curriculum and its programming. It will hold the members of the department accountable for progress along the roadmap via a continual, transparent evaluation process. The Committee’s ultimate goal is a culture of tolerance, acceptance and respect that spans our students, postdocs, staff and faculty.