The name of this organization shall be The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC).

Purpose:The purpose of the DAC is to assist in supporting the implementation of the goals identified in the University’s strategic plan in order toachieve diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Mission: The DAC will provide recommendations to the President that promote the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The DAC shall take a leadership role in, participate in, and have a voice in the development of institutional policies and procedures. The DAC will seek to fulfill its mission through the following goals:

• Identify opportunities within and outside the University that enhance training and professional development in valuing diversity and cultural competency;
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve standards, practices, and procedures to create a campus culture of inclusion and equity;
• Recognize exemplary practices, programs, and individuals that embody a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
• Support that the achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion are guiding principles in every aspect of the University’s initiatives. 

Section 1. School Designees: Each of the seven schools may appoint one (1) faculty member and one (1) staff member to serve as members of the DAC. Faculty and staff are appointed by their dean and are seated with the approval of the President.

Section 2. Members-at-Large: Members-at-large of the DAC shall be chosen from the pool of persons expressing interest.  At large membership may include: seven (7) staff members, one (1) member from each shared governance body (Faculty Senate and Staff Senate); one (1) postdoctoral fellow; and two (2) students from the governing body (USGA and GSA).  Student members may self-nominate and/or be nominated by faculty, staff, and/or student organizations. Regardless of the origin of the nomination, the USGA or GSA (depending on the enrollment of the student nominee) shall review the qualifications of the nominee(s) and makes the ultimate decision regarding appointment. The President must approve all appointments.

Section 3. Terms of Service: Each faculty/staff member shall serve a two (2) year term.  A member whose term is ending may ask their designating body for re-appointment to an additional two (2) year term. No member shall serve more than four (4) years.

Each student member will serve a one (1) year term.  A student whose term is ending may ask their designating body for re-appointment to an additional one (1) year term.  The re-nomination shall be assented to by the USGA or GSA as appropriate.  No student member may serve for more than two (2) years.

Section 4. Ex-Officio Members: Ex-officio members are the Provost; Associate Vice President, and Chief Human Resource Officer; Executive Director of the Intercultural Leadership and Engagement Center; Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; designated diversity and inclusion officers from the schools, Associate Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, a designee from the President’s Office. (The designee from the President’s Office shall serve as the secretary.)   Ex-officio members are not subject to the terms of service contained in Article III, Section 3 and do not have voting rights.

Section 5. Duties

• Actively participate in activities and programs of the DAC;
• Attend at least eight monthly meetings per academic year (a member will only be credited with distanced participation for meetings held in person only twice);  
• Serves on at least one standing committee;
• Serve as a liaison to their communities;
• Maintain visibility of the work of the DAC;
• Serve as advocates for and champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Serve as a channel for communicating diversity-related news and information; and
• Maintain meaningful dialogue with members of the UMB community and bring concerns to DAC meetings.

Section 6. Resignation and Removal: Notices of resignation must be submitted in writing to the chair.

Members who are unable to meet the attendance requirement in accordance with Article III, Section 5 will be subjected to removal.

Section 7. Vacancies: All vacancies are to be filled based on the process outlined in Article III.

Section 1. Officer Positions: The officers of the DAC shall be the chair and vice-chair. All officers must be existing members of the DAC to be eligible for election to office.

Section 2. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair: Chair and vice-chair candidates may self-nominate and/or be nominated by voting DAC members. A DAC member whose term is ending may be nominated or self-nominated for chair or vice-chair. Ex-officio members are ineligible to serve as chair or vice-chair. Elections shall be by secret ballot. A quorum of 40% of voting members is required to hold an election. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared successful in pursuit of the office. If there is only one candidate for an office, the ballot may be dispensed with by unanimous consent. 

Elections of officers shall be held during the June DAC meeting. Officers will assume their duties on July 1.

Section 3. Terms of Service: The term of chair and vice-chair shall be for two (2) years. Officers may be re-elected for an additional two (2) year term. At the end of the chair's term(s), the exiting chair will remain on the board as an ex officio member to provide guidance to the new chair upon request. The maximum time of service in the role of chair is five (5) years: two (2) two (2) year terms and one (1) year as ex-officio.

Section 4. Vacancies: If the chair is no longer able to serve, the vice-chair will become the chair.  The members-at-large will determine the replacement of the vice-chair through a special election in accordance with Article IV Section 3. The vote will occur at the next regularly scheduled DAC meeting.

Section 1. Chair: The chair shall preside at all meetings of the DAC, assist in the efficient operation of the DAC, and call special meetings as required.  The chair shall provide liaison services, as assigned by the President, between the DAC and other federal, state, non-profit and community-based agencies in the community. The chair provides directional support for all committees. The chair shall act on urgent DAC matters between meetings.

Section 2. Vice Chair: The vice-chair shall preside at DAC meetings in the absence of the chair. The vice-chair shall function as directed by the chair to assist in the efficient operation of the DAC.  The vice-chair shall prepare an annual report of DAC activities at the end of the UMB fiscal year.

Section 3. Secretary: The secretary shall assist in the preparation of notices of all meetings, prepare and keep minutes of all meetings, and keep such records as required. The secretary shall coordinate and organize administrative and technical tasks for DAC events and functions.

Section 1. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings shall be held monthly, at a time and place designated by the chair. Up to two regular meetings may be canceled during the UMB fiscal year.

Section 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the chair or requested by a majority of the members-at-large, communicated to and approved by the chair.

Section 3. Notice of Meeting: Electronic notice of each meeting, with the exception of special meetings, shall be given to each member not less than one week prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Quorum: The members present at any properly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum with the exception of the June meeting when elections are held.  A quorum of 40% of members is required to hold the election.

Section 5. Voting: Issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.

Section 1. Committee Formation: The DAC chair and members-at-large may vote to create or change committees as needed. Each standing committee must have at least one DAC member.

Section 2. Committee Chairs: Each committee shall have at least one Chair to lead the committee’s activities. The Chair may appoint all committee chairs.

Section 3. Membership: The term of office for the committee chairs/co-chairs of the DAC shall be one (1) year. These members may be re-elected for one (1) additional term.

Section 4. Standing Committees. The DAC shall consist of the following standing committees:

1. Communications and Marketing
2. Education and Awareness
3. Anti-Racism Action Committee
4. DEI Resources

The Committee’s duties are outlined below:

The Communications and Marketing Committee is responsible for the dissemination and publication of DAC services, initiatives, and innovations to membership and the UMB community.  The Committee will focus on all forms of messaging to provide a comprehensive diversity marketing plan detailing strategic themes and major accomplishments.  The Committee will work through the Office of Communication and Public Affairs in disseminating DAC messages.

The Communications and Marketing Committee shall function in an advisory and consulting role in order to:

• Share evidence-based best practices that support diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Increase recognition and appreciation of the value that diversity and inclusion brings to the UMB community
• Share learning opportunities and resources that increase knowledge of diversity and inclusion
• Promote continuous improvement of an inclusive campus culture
• Identify and develop the brand messaging and themes to use in marketing to various constituencies on campus
• Create a marketing plan and budget for the upcoming fiscal year
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in creating and disseminating materials
• Provide semi-annual reports (July and January)
• Maintain and update the DAC website
• Create a designated spot in The Elm and provide content as appropriate

The Education and Awareness Committee is responsible for providing leadership in advancing learning and scholarship to build and sustain a diverse community and culture of inclusion. 

The Education and Awareness Committee shall function in an advisory and consulting role in order to:

• Facilitate cross-communication and implementation of diversity and inclusion related activities, programs, and initiatives occurring within UMB schools and departments
• Recommend initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency throughout UMB
• Recommend programs that prepare faculty and staff to incorporate cultural competency into the professional and learning environments
• Promote interdisciplinary programs to help build cultural competence among students in the health, legal, and human services professions
• Provide resources and strategies to actively retain and promote excellent, qualified, diverse staff and faculty
• Provide resources and strategies to recruit actively and retain excellent, qualified diverse students, including launching specialized programs and honor societies (e.g., Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society)
• Provide semi-annual reports (July and January)

The Anti-racism Action Committee is responsible for providing strategies that the University of Maryland, Baltimore, can utilize to take a proactive stance against racism and other forms of oppression. 

The DEI Resources Committee is responsible for identifying, reviewing, cataloging, publicizing, and maintaining a collection of diversity, equity, and inclusion resources.

 The DEI Resources Committee shall function in an advisory and consulting role in order to: 

• Create and compile city information about resources for diverse campus populations, particularly for new hires
• Provide resources and strategies to actively recruit excellent, qualified, diverse staff, faculty, and students
• Create and maintain an inventory of existing diversity, inclusion, and equity training on UMB’s campus
• Create and maintain an expertise inventory on existing diversity, equity, and inclusion training on UMB’s campus
• Maintain the glossary terms on DAC’s website
• Schedule of in-service professional development workshops for DAC
• Provide semi-annual reports (July and January)

Section 5. Ad-hoc Committees: Ad-hoc committees shall be assembled by the chair as needed.

Section 1. Reviews: The Bylaws shall be reviewed annually by an ad-hoc committee appointed by the chair.

Section 2. Amendment of Bylaws: DAC Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority vote at any monthly meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Proposed changes shall be distributed to all members one (1) week before the meeting at which they are to be considered.