Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework

The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion supports institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through its leadership and the coordination of Berklee’s diversity, equity, and inclusion council and work groups. The council comprises the following work groups, which are made up of faculty, staff, and campus leaders from across the Berklee community:

  • Campus climate
  • Equity
  • Inclusive excellence in curriculum and pedagogy
  • Inclusive spaces and accessible campus
  • Recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention
  • Training, dialogue, and practice
  • Student access, engagement, and success 

Campus Climate

Campus climate reflects the perceptions and attitudes between and among groups from different backgrounds and the quality of these interactions. On the most basic level, a healthy climate means respect for the experiences, needs, and potential of each community member (e.g., student, faculty, and staff) and the ability for all to fully participate and feel included in the Berklee community. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Improvement in climate demonstrated through regular assessment
  • Development and implementation of strategies to improve the campus climate across all units (i.e., academic and administrative) and learning environments at Berklee
  • Visibility of efforts across the entire Berklee community to improve and celebrate a more inclusive institution

Equity

Members of the Berklee community have the right to fully participate in and contribute to our community free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence, regardless of their background or identity. To support this commitment, actions are taken to reduce and resolve such incidents. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Reduction of discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence at Berklee
  • Increased understanding and use of processes and services to address allegations
  • Demonstration that the institution is taking clear steps to eliminate, reduce, and resolve behaviors and actions that interfere with equitable participation

Inclusive Excellence in the Curriculum and Pedagogy

To achieve excellence and maintain our relevance as a premier school of the performing arts, diversity and inclusion must be integrated into the academic experience. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Infusion of diversity into the curriculum and pedagogy across all disciplines
  • Effectiveness of faculty in working with diverse and underrepresented populations and resolving issues that may come up
  • Incorporation of diversity into the review process for academic programs, courses, and student work.

Inclusive Spaces and Accessible Campus

The campus environment is complex and includes physical, technological, cognitive, and aesthetic dimensions. Additionally, there are spaces for gathering and experiencing a sense of community and connection. All members of the Berklee community should be able to access the spaces and resources on campus and find a sense of place and belonging. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Accessible spaces and technologies on campus
  • Incorporation of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning principles and practices
  • Inclusiveness in the aesthetics and physical spaces on campus (e.g., gender-inclusive restrooms, lactation rooms, cultural spaces, artwork, signage)
  • Elimination of related barriers to full participation and engagement within campus spaces 

Recruitment, Hiring, Promotion, and Retention

To provide the richest learning and engagement environment for our students, Berklee’s faculty and staff should reflect the diversity and backgrounds of our diverse student body and our aspirations for being a more diverse and inclusive campus. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Increases in the number of diverse and underrepresented faculty and staff who are recruited, hired, retained, and promoted into leadership positions across Berklee

Student Access, Engagement, and Success

Berklee strives to bring in and develop the gifts and talents of students from many different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are committed to the presence of and positive experiences of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds attending Berklee and receiving the resources and support to fully engage and succeed in the academic and cocurricular life at Berklee. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Increased enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds
  • Greater usage and the effectiveness of resources and services that support students’ engagement and success
  • Students' increased participation in academic and cocurricular opportunities

Training, Dialogue, and Practice

Diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness, knowledge, skills, and practices are cultivated and demonstrated across the Berklee community through a range of learning opportunities for both students and employees. Some tension and discomfort are to be expected as campus culture shifts. Through ongoing training and development, mutual learning, and intentional dialogue focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can move forward together as a community. Indicators of success include the following:

  • Acquisition of foundational diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness, knowledge, and skills across the Berklee community
  • Application and practice of the acquired knowledge and skills
  • Acquisition of more advanced and specialized knowledge, skills, and practices by campus leaders (students and employees) and others interested in increasing their competency