Help us collect 20,000 signatures!

Over the past few weeks there have been numerous attacks on programs focused on promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). There are executive orders and laws being passed impacting not only workplaces and government agencies, but universities as well. Keeping  inclusion at the forefront of higher education is imperative to having a diverse student body, workforce, and consumer population in the US. 

NJIT has done an outstanding job of creating a safe environment for interactions between people of different races, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, etc. There are the people who congregate on the top floor of the campus center, those near the food trucks, people who live at Intrinsic, frequent a specific greek house, or spend hours in the food court. Minorities make up the majority of students at NJIT. If anything happened to one of these groups it would tear at the fabric of the community, but if all these groups were discriminated against, our college would cease to exist.

DEI initiatives are essential for NJIT because it improves:

• Academic Excellence: A diverse community fosters a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, which enriches the learning environment, promotes critical thinking, and encourages innovation.
• Faculty and Staff Development: Having a more inclusive workplace for faculty and staff leads to increased job satisfaction, improved retention, and role models for the student. 
• Preparation for the Future: DEI initiatives prepare the university in learning how to support all students regardless of their situation. As the diversity of the US population increases, universities need to know how to handle these changes in the student body.
• Sense of Community: Part of what keeps students engaged through their academic career is having a strong sense of community. By having student groups, forums, and spaces around campus where individuals can meet with other similar students, the sense of community is strengthened. 

We, therefore, demand a:

• Statement of Commitment: The President and Board of Trustees reaffirm their commitment to diversity and inclusion by publicly stating their support for DEI initiatives and their value to the NJIT community.
• Protection of Resources: The university ensures that funding for diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives is maintained or increased.
• Accountability of Growth: The university establishes publicly transparent metrics and accountability mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of DEI initiatives and ensure that progress is being made.