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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Sustainability Office staff and student staff

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement of UC Sustainability Offices and Staff

“Diversity is a defining feature of the University of California and we embrace it as a source of

strength. Our differences — of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender

identity, age, socioeconomic status, abilities, experience and more — enhance our ability to

achieve the university’s core missions of public service, teaching and research. We welcome

faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds and want everyone at UC to feel respected and

valued.” — University of California, Office of the President

The Sustainability Offices and their staff of the University of California (UC) are committed to

ensuring that UC sustainability programs are diverse in their staff, and representative and

inclusive of the communities who are engaged in these programs. In order to achieve this, we

will evaluate and improve our efforts around recruitment and retention of underrepresented staff

and stakeholders. We will work to directly address racism and all forms of discrimination. We

will ensure collaborative and inclusive processes where our sustainability work is driven by the

contributions of diverse voices and perspectives. We are at the early stages of doing this work.

Please see our list of initial action items at the end of this letter for more clarity on how we

intend to start the process of addressing these important issues.

The recent racial violence against Black individuals, including the murders of Ahmaud Arbery,

George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, among many others; and the sustained work of social

justice movements, including Black Lives Matter, inspired deeper reflection among UC’s

sustainability staff about our role to advance a socially, racially, and environmentally just future.

We feel the urgency to commit ourselves to action, and further position ourselves to be active

participants in creating a just and equitable future, for all.