Initiatives and activities

Gender inclusive facilities:

In March 2016, we re-designated all the single-stalled restrooms in the department as "All Gender"
A full list of gender inclusive restrooms on campus can be found here
Learn more on why all-gender bathrooms are important.
Find more information in our LGBTQ+ page

A photograph of a hallway in the Astronomy department, showing the "All Gender" labels on the restroom doors

What's in a name?

Initiated by the 2016-2017 DEI committee, we embedded NAME PRONUNCIATION audio file in the department directory to encourage people to learn how to correctly pronounce each other's names.
How is it supporting equity and inclusion?
- Failing to pronounce your colleague's name is a form of microaggression. Although 99.9% of the time it is done with no bad intentions, it adds to a pile of paper cuts. The DEI committee wanted to find a way to help you not do that.
- More on this topic:
  - Research on racial microaggression in K-12
  - Huffpost Teacher Breaks Down Why Pronouncing Students’ Names Correctly Matters

An image of John Monnier's page on the department website's directory, with an arrow indicating where to find the button for name pronunciation

Recruitment

As part of our department's desire to recruit the most excellent students possible, we send faculty, postdoc, and grad student representatives to the following conferences:

NSBP: National Society of Black Physicists' annual meeting
SACNAS: Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science's National Diversity in STEM conference

The department covers the travel expenses of those going to recruit. While this counts as service for the faculty attendees, we recognize the valuable work done by our postdoc and grad student representatives with an honorarium.

We also value that these conferences give us the opportunity to build connections in these important communities, to learn about the varied experiences of our fellow scientists, and to hear about some great science!

A photo of the Michigan Astronomy booth, with a student talking to a faculty member

An image of a student presenting their poster

Equi-tea

The 2016-2017 DEI committee initiated Equi-tea, a monthly department seminar to discuss issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. More about it here.

Astronomy is for Everyone

Here in the Department of Astronomy we value our shared humanity and we value excellence in science, which is predicated on inclusively and equitably embracing our full diversity. Yet, while statements of values are important, without acts of support they contain little worth. We commit to acting for the continual improvement of our department, our university, our field, and our world.

Astronomy is for Everyone

To add your signature to the poster, please see Stacy Tiburzi at the Astronomy main office.

NEW! Astronomy for Everyone stickers are now available. Ask for one at the Astronomy main office.

The image for our poster: the Earth from space, with the words "one planet, one people, astronomy is for everyone"

A photo of part of the poster, showing some people's signatures

Networking meetings

The purpose of these meetings is to help facilitate opportunities to form and strengthen relationships between members of the department based on shared identity and experiences; to support networking; and to discuss issues related to career development.

Order of Marginalized Genders (OMG)
The formerly called "Women* in Astronomy" networking lunch has changed its name in 2021 to the "Order of Marginalized Genders (OMG)" networking group. This change has been made to explicitly include trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people as well as anyone else who self-identifies as a person of a marginalized gender. We are excited to expand our umbrella and share our resources with more members of our community.
Astronomía en español
**¡La astronomía es increíble en español!**
Todos están invitados a almorzar y conversar, todo en español. No se requiere hablar con fluidez.
Astronomy is amazing in Spanish!
Everyone is invited to lunch and conversation, all in Spanish. It is not required to speak fluently (you are welcomed to come and listen).
International Astronomers
Share the different and similar experiences of individuals who are here on a temporary visa, new, or longtime immigrants.
“Maze in Blue”
a networking group for those who feel they do not know how to navigate institutions or the field, from the perspective of first-generation college students, transfer students from community colleges, current/former Pell grant holders, or any who feel that their lack of familiarity with expectations and the culture of the University make it challenging to feel comfortable in the environment. This is a place for folks at all levels to share and learn from each other.

Support for networking lunches in 2017-20 comes from Rackham Faculty Ally for Diversity Grant.