The UNLV Department of Geoscience recognizes that a culture of belonging is fundamental to the mission of UNLV and the College of Science. Our department is committed to facilitating participation, and we seek to better serve and support students, faculty, staff, and communities beyond the university.

It is our goal to foster an environment of instruction, research, and sociality that supports the development of tomorrow’s leaders both in the geosciences and the wider community. Each member of our community (faculty, staff, graduate students, and our undergraduate students) is responsible to promote and encourage practices that welcome everyone, provide supportive opportunities, and include our campus community. We strive to better serve our community, provide supportive instruction, and foster an environment of innovation and discovery based on collaboration founded on the strength of our department community.

Department Resources

Culture of Belonging Committee

The goal of the Culture of Belonging (CB) committee is to find actionable items that improve the experiences of individuals, collegiality, and cultural climate in the Department of Geoscience.

The committee is open to all members of our department (students, staff, and faculty). Please reach out to the committee chair, Dr. Carrie Tyler (carrie.tyler@unlv.edu) if you would like to join the committee.

Current members: Carrie Tyler (chair), Brenda Buck, Gabriel Judkins, Jeremy Koonce, Maria Rojas

Culture of Belonging Advisory Board

The CB Advisory Board is composed of emeritus faculty, graduate students, alumni, and/or community supporters that provide outside (from Geoscience staff and faculty) opinions and expertise to improve the climate of the department. Their primary role is to provide recommendations for actionable items that the committee can forward to the Geoscience faculty for discussion and potential vote.

Board members serve a two year term. If you are interested in serving on the board please contact Dr. Jeremy Koonce at jeremy.koonce@unlv.edu.

Geoscience CB Activities 2023-Spring 2024

  1. Creating a new CB website which includes a way to provide anonymous feedback at any time
  2. Conducting our annual Department Climate Survey to solicit anonymous feedback to identify potential initiatives moving forward.
  3. Assembling an External Advisory Committee.
  4. Involving students in the faculty hiring process.
  5. Held International Women and Girls in Science Day seminar (AWG Distinguished Lecture).
  6. Held a Departmental bystander training seminar.
  7. Advocated for student involvement in faculty meetings.

Geoscience CB Activities Fall 2024

  1. Maintained and expanded the CB website, which includes an anonymous reporting form
  2. Delivered a lecture on CB in GEOL 701.
  3. Created a formal procedure for addressing feedback and reports.
  4. Created a field safety plan to be completed for all field trips and revised field trip waiver forms.
  5. Assembled and met with our External Advisory Board consisting of industry professionals and Alumni.
  6. Added a list of campus wide resources to the website.
  7. Received two anonymous reports through the website, one report raising concerns for safety and physical requirements in the field, and another regarding classroom conduct. These were addressed with the relevant parties.

Contact

We appreciate any suggestions, feedback, or complaints. Feel free to contact any member of the committee.

You can also use the anonymous survey form to reach out to us.

 

Additional University Resources

A compilation of Diversity Resources:  https://www.unlv.edu/student-diversity/resources

Locations of All Gender, Family, and ADA Restrooms: https://www.unlv.edu/maps/bathrooms

Compilations of other resources associated with DEI: https://linktr.ee/unlvsdsj

Multicultural resources: https://www.unlv.edu/intersection/campus-resources

LGBTQI+:  https://involvementcenter.unlv.edu/organization/spectrum

Mental Health:  https://www.unlv.edu/caps

UNLV College of Sciences:  https://www.unlv.edu/sciences/dei

UNLV DEI:  https://www.unlv.edu/diversity/diversity-equity-inclusion

UNLV Diversity:  https://www.unlv.edu/diversity

UNLV Division of Diversity Initiatives:  https://www.unlv.edu/unit/diversity-initiatives