Diversity Council

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About the Diversity Council

The Diversity Council supports a culture of ever-greater diversity, equity, and inclusion at AUP. It functions as an advisory council and recommending body to the President and Provost, as a liaison to departments across the University, and as an advocate for all members of the AUP community who feel they have experienced bias or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, size, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

  • Providing a voice for AUP community members, especially those who are marginalized or underrepresented;
  • Encouraging conversations that promote inclusivity and diversity;
  • Offering a safe space for all
Our Mandate
  • Promote knowledge, the development of skills, and institutional practices to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.
  • Recommend strategic initiatives, programs, speakers, and other University activities to bring attention and focus to the analysis of systemic bias and discrimination.
  • Liaise with the Office of Communications to coordinate and communicate initiatives being taken across the University community in an effort to create a culture of dialogue and learning around the multitude of differences that define our community.
  • Liaise with the task force working on anti-bias training for faculty, staff, and students, ensuring this becomes a regular practice at AUP.
  • Liaise with the Office of the Provost regarding the improvement of practices related to recruitment, retention, and promotion of diverse faculty and staff.
  • Liaise with the Admissions working group on Diversity and Inclusion to improve practices related to recruitment, retention, and support of students of color.
  • Serve as trained advocates for students, faculty and staff who have experienced bias or discrimination, liaising with the appropriate University office (Student Development, Human Resources, Office of the Provost) to ensure a prompt and fair hearing and appropriate institutional responses; liaise with the Office of the President and the Office of Student Development to review, clarify, and improve grievance policies and procedures.
  • Liaise with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (OIE) in order to analyze available data on institutional diversity.
Creation and Composition of the Council
  • The AUP Diversity Council members will consist of two faculty, two staff members, and two students. Faculty and staff members will be elected for a term of two years by their peers after an open nomination (including self-nomination) process.
  • In the first year of the Council’s establishment, the two student representatives will be appointed by consensus of the UGS and the GSC, while a process of amending the Student Constitution to include elected Diversity Officer positions is carried out. Student members will be elected for one year, but may be re-elected for a second year.
  • The AUP Diversity Council will nominate and elect a Council member to serve as chair.
  • In the first year of the Council’s establishment, members will meet on a schedule of their own making, and will meet at least every two months with the President and Provost.
  • The Diversity Council will begin its work by discussing and finalizing this draft charter.
  • At the end of the first year of operations, an assessment of the Council’s composition, activities and effectiveness will take place in an effort to improve and modify its structure, charge, reach, and principal activities.

How we can support you 

AUP policy prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. These values are affirmed by French law and Article 10, which ban expressions that incite discrimination, that propagate the idea of a superior race, and that spread hatred against specific groups.  

See AUP policy BP023EN - Non-Discrimination for clear standards, definitions, and descriptions of prohibited conduct. 

The Diversity Council is committed to work as an advocate for all members of the AUP community who feel they have experienced bias or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. 

The council can provide support if any member of the community wants to lodge a complaint or grievance without fear of prejudice or retaliation for initiating the process or for participating in its resolution.  

For students, see the Student Grievance Procedure page for more details on the possible options. 

To book an appointment to meet with us, email us at diversitycouncilataup.edu.

Student Representatives

Aanya Tiwari

Undergraduate Student in International Affairs/Relations

Ira Mcintosh

Graduate Student in Global Communications-Fashion Track
Fashion Club President

Staff Representatives

Camille Davis

Application Advisor, Admissions Office

Tahmineh Farhat

AUP Bookstore

Faculty Representatives

Marsha Libina

Associate Professor, Art History and Fine Arts

Evelyn Odonkor​ 

Assistant Professor, IBA​ 

Contact the Diversity Council

We at the Diversity Council recognize the importance of having a safe space to speak about issues of discrimination and to discuss initiatives that aim to promote inclusivity and diversity.   

As part of our mission, we are dedicated to supporting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion at AUP.  In addition to providing this support and assistance regarding discrimination, we are also looking forward to working with students, staff, and faculty on projects that can make AUP a more inclusive place.   

We are reachable by email at diversitycouncilataup.edu.

 

AUP Guidance Counselors 

AUP's guidance counselors are also available for confidential mental health support and, in addition, can provide referrals to mental health specialists.