Inclusive Excellence
The School of Arts and Sciences, including the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, is committed to Institutional Inclusive Excellence. Institutional Inclusive Excellence is a framework aimed at promoting and operationalizing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA) within our institution. This framework challenges institutions to embed DEIJA values into their foundational principles, processes, practices, and operational standards to ensure change is possible and sustainable. By leaning into the key considerations from the institutional inclusive excellence framework and adopting them at Tufts, we aim to create an environment where all individuals feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
We have a multi-pronged action plan to promote and support diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our schools and across the student-facing divisions that we share with the School of Engineering.
Associate Deans for Inclusive Excellence
Administrative dean positions were created in Arts and Sciences in 2019 to manage and implement our strategic goals related to DEIJA. Our Associate Deans for Inclusive Excellence (ADIE) are:
DEIJ Strategic Plan
In 2020, under the leadership of the school’s Associate Deans for Inclusive Excellence, a committee of staff, faculty, and students worked throughout the 2020-2021 academic year to establish a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice strategic plan for the School of Arts and Sciences. This plan is a working document--one meant to be periodically reviewed and modified as needed--and is intended to serve as a blueprint for the school's DEIJ work in the years to come.
Curriculum
The School of Arts and Sciences is in the process of diversifying its curriculum and academic requirements. In response to a faculty vote taken in winter 2018, departmental conversations have been taking place to discuss inequality and systemic racism within each academic discipline as well as the school. The A&S Strategic Plan is currently reviewing our curriculum and foundation and distribution requirements to make sure they best meet the needs of our students and embody our commitment to inclusive excellence.
Office of Institutional Inclusive Excellence
This university-wide office supports faculty, staff, and departments across the university for department/unit specific Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Access (DEIJA) educational needs in partnership with the school's Associate/Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion.
Office of Institutional Inclusive Excellence
Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI)
Tufts School of Arts and Sciences (including SMFA at Tufts) shares a Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) with the School of Engineering. DSDI staff work across the schools to support undergraduates and graduate students and work toward equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion on our campuses. Within this division, our Identity-based Centers work collectively and independently to develop knowledge of and appreciation for diversity at Tufts. All students are welcome at each center, and they sponsor many activities throughout the year such as field trips, lectures, and social events. For more information, visit their webpages:
- Africana Center
- Asian American Center
- Center for STEM Diversity
- FIRST Resource Center
- Indigenous Center
- Latinx Center
- LGBT Center
- Women's Center
The StAAR Center
The Student Accessibility and Academic Resources (StAAR) Center is a central resource for all students. The StAAR Center offers academic support through one-on-one academic success coaching, writing consultations, and tutoring, along with group programs and workshops. The Center also supports students with documented disabilities to ensure access to their Tufts experiences. Our programs promote engaged, collaborative learning that builds on students’ strengths while addressing their concerns and questions.