About Us

What is SCCD?

It’s a self-started group of students, staff, and faculty that meet to advocate and educate about equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as listen to and surface concerns, within the Clark Science Center at Smith College. It was not created by the college, but College Hall and the Science Center both listen to the group. Our advocacy was important in creating the course repeat policy, expanding funding for textbooks, and much more.

Each year we ask for a faculty representative from each Science Center department. This year, the idea was raised of asking each department to also appoint one or two student representatives.

The group is always chaired by a combination of faculty and students. Staff are also welcome.

What is the structure?

  • Hold 3 to 4 meetings each semester for faculty, students, and staff to gather and talk about how to improve science courses and support students
  • Co-chairs sometimes meet before each meeting to talk about what we will be doing (this spring semester we felt comfortable enough with our plan that we did not)
  • Hosts a guest speaker event for anyone to join

What are we doing this year?

In the fall, we meet as a group to discuss concerns and priorities and form a list of items to work on. We then ask for volunteers for small working groups to advance these items. In the past, this includes listening sessions, creating or modifying documents or web pages, advocating with the college and/or Science Center for policy changes, inviting speakers, organizing other events, and more. This year (Spring 2025), we had the following groups:

Guide to Inclusive Teaching:

Created a Guide to Inclusive Teaching for faculty on including diversity and inclusion practices into their teaching. Check it out here!

Intro to Gateway courses: 

Supporting students’ transitions into introduction to getaway courses. Thinking about ways to collect information and spur conversations across departments on ways that people are talking about gateway courses.

Accommodations: 

Focus on best practices relating to accommodations. Created a survey for professors and staff to share what they need in terms of supporting students.

Athletes:

Working to understand conflicting expectations between student athletes and academics. Will compile a guide for coaches and professors to summarize relevant NCAA rules, ask to clarify priorities and obligations for student athletes, and ask to set healthy boundaries. Building a connection between STEM faculty and Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

How can I stay up to date on the meetings?

For members of the Smith Community, you can add the SCCD Calendar and view it alongside your personal google calendar. To do this navigate to the left side tool bar and look for “Other Calendars”, click the “+” icon, choose “Subscribe to Calendar”, and type the SCCD email address.

 

Why SCCD Website?

The Science Center Committee on Diversity (SCCD) Website was created to bring awareness to the committee and what it does, document and disseminate accomplishments and guidelines to build inclusivity within STEM at Smith College, and bring student, staff, and faculty voices and experiences to the forefront through blog posts. The website includes information separated into the following sections:

  • For Students -> This webpage is designated for undergraduate students with STEM majors/minors and/or taking STEM courses at Smith College. Currently, it includes guides to navigating general research and SURF at Smith, applying for graduate school, and study abroad opportunities.
  • For Faculty/Staff -> This webpage is designated for faculty and staff within the Clark Science Center’s various STEM departments. Currently, it includes a guide to inclusive teaching.
  • For Departments -> This webpage is designated for all STEM departments at Smith College, including BIO, CHM, NSC, PHY, AST, GEO, BCH, EGR, MTH, CSC, SDS, ES&P, and PSY. It will include resources and links to peer-reviewed journal articles that reviews ways to cultivate DEI in STEM.
  • For SCCD -> This webpage is designated for the current co-chairs, working groups, and members of the SCCD. Currently, it includes a calendar of when future SCCD meetings will occur, as well as links to meeting minutes from previous meetings.