Climate

Students in lab

The Chemical Engineering and Materials Science department is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of the department.

"One of my favorite things about the CEMS department is the cooperative nature of our community. Together, we collaborate, share successes and disappointments, and build lasting relationships. When I joined CEMS, this supportive environment materialized immediately, and I found informal mentors and friends that made the transition to graduate school possible even as I sometimes struggled. But the true strength of our community ultimately depends not only on our successes, but on how we hold each other accountable when we need to do better. One of the ways we need to do better is dismantling institutional and internalized racism and white supremacy both within our department and in our broader community. After the murder of George Floyd here in Minneapolis, the student body, faculty, and staff formally came together to commit to this anti-racist work, codified in the faculty’s DEI statement . While there is much deep and long-term work yet to do, I am proud of our community’s willingness to reflect, to recognize where we have been complicit in racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, and to take meaningful, substantial action to combat such harm."

Elisah Vandenbussche, Graduate Student

"Coming into graduate school, I had a lot of worries: can I adjust to life in Minnesota? Will I be able to make meaningful friendships? Will I succeed? The CEMS department immediately welcomed me in and provided me with a community of students ready to connect. Our department prides itself in our strong emphasis on community, and I believe that many of those who choose to study in this department share that core value. The killing of George Floyd, right here in Minneapolis, produced a dramatic shift for me personally and for many others here in CEMS. We saw the damaging effect of racism and personal prejudice in our nation and we stood up to demand actionable change. We began grassroot DEI student and faculty groups to make this department safe for all people, especially those of marginalized and underrepresented communities. As a nation, we need to immediately address systemic racism, personal prejudice, and inclusion for all communities, and I am encouraged to see members of the CEMS community rallying together to enhance our department's climate."

Amber Walton, Graduate Student

 

Graduate Student Committee

Graduate Student Committee (GSC) is a close group of students (approximately 2 members per class) who act as liaisons between the students and the department administration. All are welcome to be part of the GSC. Their main function is to provide a safe, positive, and fulfilling environment for students. They often work behind the scenes to enhance the department by creating programs or events.

CEMS Women's Group

CEMS Women's Group is a collaborative effort to advance gender equity within our department through cooperative relationships and build connections with professional women and non-binary folks in science and engineering who are currently working in industry, academia, government agencies, or national labs. Events are open to everyone and include guest speakers, group discussions, and outreach opportunities. We seek new leadership at the end of each school year, and we actively encourage graduate students and postdocs to engage in and lead Women's Group events throughout the year.

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Discussions and Communications

CEMS Faculty Statement

In June 2020, the CEMS faculty issued a statement responding to the murder of George Floyd here in Minneapolis, acknowledging the emotions of the community and putting forth a renewed commitment to equity and diversity in the department.

Department Potlucks

The CEMS department regularly hosts a number of potlucks that celebrate holidays across the different cultures in the department. Past events have celebrated the Lunar New Year, Diwali and End-Of-Year potlucks.

Friday Afternoon Roundtable

At the end of each month on a early Friday evening, all graduate students and faculty are invited to an informal social gathering with food and refreshments, known as “Roundtable”.

Joint Safety Team

The Joint Safety Team (JST) is a researcher-led organization focused on improving the culture of safety in chemical laboratories at the University of Minnesota. The JST consists of all graduate student or postdoc Laboratory Safety Officers (LSOs) within the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.

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