Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

In 2018, the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) Initiative was launched as an institutional priority, with EDIB becoming a core value of the school’s Strategic Plan. Housed in the Office of the President and supporting programs in all divisions and departments, our EDIB efforts are essential to Juilliard’s mission.

Juilliard’s Commitment

Juilliard is committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all. We recognize it is only through a dedicated commitment to nurturing this environment that we can achieve our mission of providing the highest caliber of artistic education to students and actively shaping the future of the performing arts. As such, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging is a core value and priority of the school.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Juilliard

Value Statements 

EDIB at Juilliard represents the following values:  

  • Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for all.   
  • Endeavoring to provide fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff. 
  • Building community, encouraging collaboration and innovation, and providing artistic and educational experiences at the highest level of excellence.  
  • Respecting diverse perspectives and fostering opportunities for broader dialogues and experiences. 
  • Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and change as we further develop our EDIB work. 
  • Continued support, development, and launching of programming that embodies our commitment to EDIB. 

 

What does EDIB represent?

We use the acronym EDIB to describe our efforts to build a community and practice that is inclusive, supportive, equitable, and welcoming. The following terms are used to capture our work:

Equity: Promoting fair treatment, access, and opportunity for advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of all groups.

Diversity: Psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among any and all individuals; these include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, etc.

Inclusion: The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate and be their full authentic selves.

Belonging: The sense of acceptance as a part or member of a group; an important human need that cultivates value and positive outcomes.  

Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Initiatives

In July 2018, President Damian Woetzel shared in his inaugural message to the community, and further described in his first Convocation address, in September 2018, that EDIB initiatives would be a core value and priority of the school. Our path forward has been holistic, with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging included as a core value and priority of the school. 

The Office of EDIB aims to work on issues that may arise throughout the student experience, focusing on assessing areas of need, analyzing data, and prioritizing actions to be carried out across departments. The major initial steps of the office formation can be categorized as follows:

Learning Opportunities

Onboarding EDIB Workshop 

The Foundational Workshop designed and implemented in 2019 for Juilliard employees has since been incorporated into an online session to be given to all Juilliard employees as a part of the onboarding process. The sessions will also be available to continuing faculty and staff as an additional resource beyond the yearly workshop offerings.

 

Orientation and First Year Experience

In collaboration with Student Development, the Office of EDIB has expanded orientation touchpoints for undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students. Undergraduate sessions focus on community building and aspects of belonging. Graduate sessions build upon EDIB concepts through artistic works. The office is also presenting two EDIB-focused sessions during the First Year Experience course (previously Colloquium) as an extension of the undergraduate orientation.

Partnering Offices

The Non-Discrimination and Title IX Office

 

The Juilliard School is committed to ensuring that the members of its community have an equal opportunity to learn, work, and thrive regardless of race, national origin, color, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, religion, age, disability, and any other legally protected status. To foster these values, Juilliard’s learning and working environment must be free from all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.  

Juilliard’s Office of Non-Discrimination and Title IX’s mission is to support the School’s commitment by: 

  • Implementing Juilliard’s policies on Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Hate/Bias Conduct Policy and Sexual Misconduct Policy

  • Increasing awareness of community members' Title IX and non-discrimination rights and responsibilities through prevention initiatives, training, and educational programs; 

  • Ensuring that Juilliard is compliant with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 through community trainings and appropriate response to sexual misconduct complaints; 

  • Investigating complaints of discrimination and sexual misconduct; 

  • Implementing impartial and administrative reviews of investigation findings according to proper established procedure; 

  • Identifying and facilitating equitable resolutions of complaints through alternative means such as mediation and restorative justice; and  

  • Providing support through a variety of resources to anyone who may be subject to or aware of possible violations of  The Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Hate/Bias Conduct Policy or The Sexual Misconduct Policy

We will work with the community to further our mission and to ensure compliance with School policy. 

 

Student Diversity Initiatives

Student Diversity Initiatives offers student forums, trainings, and activities celebrating the diversity of our community. Programming is supported by Diversity Advocates, student leaders focused on educating the larger campus community on issues pertaining to diversity, culture, internationalism, and social justice. We are grateful to the Diversity Advocates who have helped develop many resources including for gender pronouns, chosen name, safe zone, and land acknowledgement. Please visit the Student Diversity Initiatives page here to learn more. 

Community Involvement

The EDIB Council

The EDIB Council, formerly Taskforce, was assembled in June 2019 to spearhead the work and values of EDIB at Juilliard. The Council is comprised of staff and faculty members from across the school, and this group meets regularly to explore best practices, review recommendations, and develop strategies that connect current efforts with ongoing planning and development.