Diversity & Inclusion

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences adheres to the Wisconsin Idea, which entails the promotion of good government through research and teaching, outreach to the public, and a strong commitment to academic freedom and the pursuit of truth, wherever that pursuit may lead. We reaffirm this last commitment with the words used by the Board of Regents in 1894: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

We recognize that we have a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students, and we embrace and value the diversity of all our members. It is our goal to be inclusive and mindful of this diversity in our departmental policies, programs, classrooms, and interactions. As department members, we respect and honor all people, regardless of their age, culture, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, parenting status, family organization, nationality, race, religion, citizenship, or socioeconomic status. We strive to create an inclusive environment that supports a diversity of perspectives and experiences, honors our identities, and views the diversity that we bring to this department as a strength and a resource. In pursuing this goal, we acknowledge that our diversity will give rise to different forms of communication and different styles of relations, and we strive to keep these differences in mind as we implement “best practices” for inclusion.

As a part of our commitment to developing and sustaining a vibrant academic community, we work to create an inclusive environment through the following principles:

  • We respect and affirm the dignity of each member of our community.
    • We are committed to the ongoing education of our faculty, staff, and students as a part of the process of developing and maintaining a community that provides a supportive academic environment.
    • We continually challenge ourselves, and others, to foster a climate where all can thrive.

The principles outlined above will guide us as we fulfill specific responsibilities including:

  • Providing proper training and supervision to our students, supervisees, or employees and taking reasonable steps tosee that they perform their work responsibly, competently, and ethically.
  • Delegating to our students, supervisees, employees, or peers only those responsibilities that they can reasonablybe expected to perform either independently or with the level of supervision provided, based on their education, training, or experience.
  • Not discriminating on the basis of age; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; race; ethnicity; national origin; religion; disability; health condition; marital, domestic partnership, or parental status; or any other applicable basis proscribed by law.
  • Not exploiting in any way persons over whom we have direct or indirect supervisory, evaluative, or otherauthority such as students, supervisees, employees, or research participants.
  • Not directly supervising or exercising evaluative authority over any person with whom we have a romantic or sexual relationship, including students, supervisees, employees, or research participants.1
  • Not engaging in harassment of any person, including students, supervisees, employees, colleagues, or research participants.

As department members, we reject discrimination and harassment by any means, on the basis of any of the aforementioned characteristics. In addition, we oppose all forms of bullying, including threatening, humiliating, coercive, or intimidating conduct that causes harm to, interferes with, or sabotages scientific activity, careers, or individual well-being. Discrimination, harassment in any form, and bullying create a hostile environment that marginalizes individuals and communities. These behaviors prevent the healthy exchange of ideas and damage productivity and career advancement. Furthermore, by diminishing personal safety and threatening psychological well-being, these behaviors negatively affect the health and peace of mind of members of our community. Adhering to our department principles is especially important in relationships characterized by power differences, such as those between faculty and undergraduate students, but these principles apply equally to all interactions, including those among graduate students, between faculty and staff, and between peers.

View the full Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences Community Standards here.