Inclusion

Inclusive Excellence in Aerospace Engineering Sciences

The Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) recognizes that engineering fields, specifically aerospace engineering, have historically been unwelcoming and hostile spaces for many people. AES is steadfast in our commitment to continuously facilitating equitable change in our department and beyond. We are wholly committed to creating and maintaining an environment with increased inclusion, diversity, justice, and equity, where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging, are welcomed, and valued.

In 2020, the Smead Aerospace Department created, for the first time, a departmental Inclusive Culture Committee (ICC) that Ìýis composed of faculty, staff and students. The goal of this committee is to activate AES and drive efforts towards fulfilling the department’s vision for:

  • Building a department culture characterized by a deep sense of belonging based on a strong commitment to respect and care for all members of the CU Boulder community, especially for those who come from communities that are underrepresented and marginalized at CU Boulder;
  • Hiring, leveraging and retaining all of the diversity of faculty, staff, and students who reflect the global society our students will lead; and
  • Ensuring a curriculum that fosters intercultural competence and prepares critical thinkers who innovate through embracing multiple perspectives.

As part of these efforts, the AES ICC will create an annual report on the department’s efforts toward inclusive excellence, that will be made publicly available on this website.

Affinity Group Travel Grants

Smead Aerospace travel grants support students in participating in regional and national conferences with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Affinity Group Travel Funding

Anonymous Feedback

This form is intended for feedback related to your experience in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences. It is intended to address issues of department culture, leadershipÌýand policy. It is not intended to report an emergency or critical situation. Please visit colorado.edu/dontignoreit for concerns involving discrimination, ethics or unwanted sexual behavior.

Submit Feedback

AES Conduct Code

The Smead Aerospace Department is unwavering in its commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of a person’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, and political philosophy. As outlined in CU Boulder’s Discrimination & Harassment policy, AES will report protected-class discrimination and/or harassment toward any CU community member in any way, shape, or form. Discrimination and harassment stand in direct contrast and opposition to the Smead Aerospace Department’s values, and we encourage all members of our community to “Don’t Ignore It.â€

Students, staff and faculty must adhere to university policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, exploitation and assault), intimate partner violence and stalking, and any violations of university policy will be referred to the proper campus resource level for education, restorative justice, conflict resolution or adjudication as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, Human Resources, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, and the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Aerospace students must adhere to the university's Student Code of Conduct and to abide by the Honor Code.

All employees (faculty, staff and students) must adhere to the university's and .

Response to the Call to Action from our Students

At the end of summer 2020, the Ann & H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences received a letter from graduate students urging faculty and staff to recognize and counteract the role racism has played in the aerospace field and in academia.

We have heard our students’ pleas and would like to articulate the priorities that will help us effect positive change. We are grateful to our students for their courage and leadership in asking us all to do better and to be better, and we take these initial steps with the hope that they will become part of an ongoing conversation among students, faculty and staff.

We are committed to a vision for building a department climate characterized by a deep sense of belonging based on a strong commitment to respect and care for all members of the CU Boulder community, especially for those who come from communities that are underrepresented and marginalized at CU Boulder; hiring, leveraging and retaining all of the diversity of faculty, staff, and students who reflect the global society our students will lead; and ensuring a curriculum that fosters intercultural competence and prepares critical thinkers who innovate through embracing multiple perspectives...

Read the full letter and our inclusion action list