The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our community of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

• EEAS affirms that diversity is essential to achieving excellence in research and teaching. The core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are inseparable from the mission of the institution---preparing students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged, and sociallyresponsible citizen leaders of a global society. We recognize that systemic discrimination and exclusion are inherent in the traditions of higher education and the geosciences.
• The faculty and staff in EEAS are committed to serve as role models and mentors, and to creating learning experiences and conducting research with students from underrepresented groups and at-risk students.
• We are dedicated to creating inclusive, welcoming, and meaningful academic experiences for every student in EEAS.
• EEAS will work to address intentional and unintentional exclusionary practices and to rectify unfair and disrespectful outcomes.
• The faculty, staff, and students in EEAS are committed to sustaining a culture of respect that acknowledges the unique perspectives, contributions, and expertise of every individual.
• We are committed to on-going conversations and actions to dismantle injustice and systemic barriers to the full and equal participation and success of all people.
• We aspire to make a difference that is impactful and respectful to those past, present, and future generations who inhabit our planet.

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences recognizes that our DEI statement is a living document and will require continual reevaluation, reflection, and responsive to feedback. To that end, we are fully committed to meeting the expectations of our DEI statement through actions outlined in our EEAS DEI Action Plan.

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To do so, EEAS has a plan to support and implement our departmental DEI statement. We recognize that the DEI process is not a static endeavor and will require continuous effort, adequate allocation of resources, and revision to remain relevant and effective.

The following is a list of actionable items and initiatives for AY 2021/2022 and beyond, that will be implemented to support the EEAS DEI statement.

EEAS DEI Action Plan Initiatives

• Create a DEI standing committee for EEAS whose responsibilities include assisting with the implementation of the EEAS DEI Action Plan, and revisions to the plan as needed. The DEI committee will be responsible for submitting an annual report on the EEAS DEI plan to the EEAS chair at conclusion of the academic year.
• In the event of new staffing positions, when possible, at least one member of the EEAS DEI committee should be included as a member of each search committee.
• Create a departmental reading list of scholarly works that is representative of all the disciplines in our department, that includes DEI-related topics and/or were written by scholars from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community, and/or other underrepresented and/or marginalized minority groups.
• Include a discussion of DEI at future graduate student orientation events.
• Prominently display our departmental DEI statement on the EEAS homepage. Centers and/or other organizations housed within EEAS are each encouraged to post a DEI statement on their websites.
• Post a list of EEAS course offerings that include DEI-related course content on the EEAS website.
• Devote at least one department display resource to highlighting DEI-related information.
• Display the EEAS DEI statement in the EEAS main office and other common areas in the department.
• The video monitor (located at the entrance to the EEAS main office) will be used to display DEI messaging and upcoming events.
• Each academic year, invite at least one seminar speaker whose research addresses issues relevant to DEI topics.
• Each academic year, invite at least one seminar speaker who represents the BIPOC community of scholars, and/or other underrepresented minority groups.
• Encourage each EEAS student organization to include at least one DEI-related activity each academic year. EEAS will offer financial support and/or other resources for these activities as needed.
• Encourage EEAS faculty, students, and staff to participate in community outreach opportunities, especially projects that promote DEI initiatives.
• Commit to creating EEAS as a safe space for all LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff by participating in “SafeZone” training through the WKU Counseling Center.
• As COVID-19 protocols permit, EEAS will host at least one social gathering during the academic year for faculty, staff, and all undergraduate and/or graduate students seeking degrees and/or certificates.

 Internal:

1. WKU: https://www.wku.edu/dei/ 
2. OCSE diversity statement: https://www.wku.edu/ogden/diversity/index.php 
3. PCAL: https://www.wku.edu/pcal/dei/index.php 
4. CHHS: https://www.wku.edu/chhs/diversity/ 
5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council: http://alumni.wku.edu/s/808/index.aspx?sid=808&gid=1&pgid=5007 
6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resources: WKU Libraries and online: https://libguides.wku.edu/DEI 

Professional societies and organizations:

1. American Association of Geographers: http://www.aag.org/programs/diversity 
2. American Geophysical Union: https://eos.org/opinions/raising-our-voices-for-diversity-in-the-geosciences
3. American Geophysical Union: https://blogs.agu.org/geoedtrek/2021/08/16/unlearning-racism-in-geoscience/ 
4. American Meteorological Society: https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/about-ams/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-ams/ 
5. Geological Society of America: https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/About/Diversity/GSA/About/Diversity.aspx 
6. National Geographic Society: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/topics/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-resources/?q=&page=1&per_page=25 
7. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: https://web.whoi.edu/cdi/articles-diversity-in-the-geosciences/