Background
The University of Maine School of Law’s (“Maine Law”) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is established by Dean Leigh I. Saufley to continue the work of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force in supporting and enhancing Maine Law’s work advancing justice for all members of society. The Committee consists of students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Charge
The Committee is charged with listening, assessing, and recommending actions by Maine Law that will improve inclusion, equity, and justice for all members of society.
Goals
The goals of the Committee have been enumerated in a separate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan (“Diversity Plan”) and include to ensure that DEI is incorporated into Maine Law’s actions in the areas of Programming, Curriculum, & Recruitment and Retention.
Outcomes and Assessments
The Task Force will strive to obtain all relevant data and available information on which to base its conclusions, actions, and recommendations, and will endeavor to include trustworthy data and outcome assessments in its Reports.
Report and Recommendations
The Committee will prepare a Report and make recommendations to the Dean and leadership of Maine Law every other year on or before May 15th or more often as requested by the Dean. The Report will contain an assessment of progress made, outcomes achieved, and any specific recommendations for new or ongoing innovations and improvements, including an identification of the resources needed to achieve the goals identified.
Membership
Committee members will include faculty, staff, alumni, and student representatives from each current law school class. To ensure substantial student input, the Committee will include student representatives from each current law school class (including a representative from the student Multicultural Law Society). Student members will serve a term of one-year and will be selected through an application process. The alumni representatives serve a one-year term and will be selected through an application process. The membership list may be modified at any time at the discretion of the Dean.
Decision-Making
The Task Force will work through consensus. All members of the Task Force, including the Dean or a dean designate as an ex officio member, are voting members. Where consensus is not possible, a vote of the majority of the membership will be sufficient to include a recommendation in the report. One or more minority reports may be included in the final report.
Meetings
Meetings will occur monthly at times and places designated by the Chairs.