Equity Partners Program

The Equity Partners (EP) Program is a new initiative led by the ETUDE Faculty Scholars (login required), with support from the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and is open to all faculty and staff at the College and Conservatory. Equity partners volunteer to undergo a series of professional development sessions on equity and on developing the knowledge and skills to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students feel welcome as full members of the Berklee community. Essential questions include the following:

• How do we address the inequities of race, gender, privilege, or class?
• How do we build classroom and workplace environments that are deliberate in their inclusiveness?

Who can be an equity partner?

All College and Conservatory faculty and staff are invited to become equity partners. The larger the network, the more of an impact this group can make. No experience with discussing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion is required; the only requirement is an interest in such conversations.

Neither ETUDE scholars nor equity partners claim to be experts in any topic around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the EP Program does not certify anyone as such. The equity partners designation recognizes that you’ve chosen to be a part of this important conversation and set aside time to engage in (often challenging) dialogues with your colleagues. By purposefully focusing on the learning and working environments within Berklee, equity partners show their commitment to working together to make Berklee a safe place for all to learn, work, and play.

Equity partners:

• have questions;
• want to learn more from and about their colleagues and students;
• are open to examining their teaching practices; and
• are willing to make themselves known as agents of support and encouragement.

Becoming an equity partner entitles you to:

• receive a sticker to affix to a laptop or office door;
• add an equity partner icon to your email signature and online faculty bio page, which says, “This is a safe space. I am an ally.” to the community; and
• be added to a list of equity partners on campus, allowing you to make yourself known as an agent of support for students, faculty, and staff, and an ambassador of the EP Program and mission.

How do I become an equity partner?

To become an equity partner, you must attend a single, two-hour Equity Partner Foundations session. The sessions are facilitated by ETUDE faculty scholars and are offered throughout the semester. During the session, you will engage in dialogue with colleagues on topics and questions central to equity in teaching and learning, as well as discuss and unpack terminology and vocabulary fundamental to our understanding of identity, belonging, and civil and human rights. This session is intended to provoke as many questions as it answers with the hope that attendees will want to further explore—and put into practice—pedagogical practices that enhance equity in teaching and learning.

Sessions are capped at 12 participants each. Faculty and staff may view and sign up for upcoming Equity Partners Foundations sessions on the ETUDE Workshops and Events page (login required).

Current Faculty and Staff Equity Partners