Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

University policies administered by the Office for Inclusion and Equity include the nondiscrimination policy, hate and bias incident policy, disability accommodations policy, prohibition of sexual assault and interpersonal violence and others. The office works to cultivate an inclusive and equitable campus culture and can investigate and help resolve complaints related to any of these policies.

Health equity means everyone has a fair chance to be as healthy as possible. The Office of Health Equity aims to enable Dell Med to effectively address external systems and drivers that affect the ability for Central Texans to have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focuses its work internally to create a diverse and inclusive campus environment and culture that advances health equity.

In an effort to continually improve the department climate and create opportunities for learning, the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care has created a process for reporting microaggressions. Microaggressions are “brief and commonplace daily verbal or behavioral indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized groups.”

While UT Austin and Dell Med have established processes for handling several types of bias, there is no established mechanism for handling microaggressions. The intent of the DSPC microaggression reporting process is not to be punitive but to create opportunities for learning, growth, understanding and improving department culture. Once reports are submitted via the online form, a working group made up of DEI Committee members reviews complaints and proposes a resolution to the department chair. Complaints may be used as case studies for departmental meetings or discussions.