August 2022 Newsletter

Hello Friends & Colleagues,

We hope summer has been treating you well and that you managed to take some vacation or have time on the books! We’re writing with the latest news out of the External Affairs DEI Steering Committee, from the rollout of the working agreements to our meetings with key University stakeholders to listening sessions for hiring managers. Over the next few newsletters, we’re also going to introduce ourselves in more detail, sharing our reasons for joining the committee, along with a few fun facts!

Working agreements rollout

As you know, in late May and June, we rolled out the working agreements to each unit in External Affairs. The agreements formalize a set of principles on how we conduct meetings and other common workplace etiquette. The committee will check back with teams in the fall to see how it’s going. Many thanks to all who participated in the sessions and took part in this important conversation!

Gathering intel on the world of human resources

In an effort to better understand the ins and outs of the hiring process, committee members have started meeting with key stakeholders in what we hope will be an ongoing collaborative relationship.

First up was Karin Firoza, BU’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) associate provost ad interim for community and inclusion. She told us that Francie Latour was appointed as D&I’s new director of educational programming initiatives. We’re hoping Latour and her team can be a resource for us, as we look to offer more educational opportunities to folks in External Affairs (EA). We also learned that a University-wide DEI climate survey is scheduled to roll out in early 2023. Firoza promised to share the sub-data for EA with us once it’s available.

Next, we sat down with Amanda Bailey, vice president for human resources, who discussed the HR hiring process at a University-wide level and how we can partner with her office. Bailey summarized the priorities of BU’s Workplace Culture Task Force; talked about HR initiatives underway and the restructuring of the Talent Acquisition team; and shared her short-term goals, which include establishing an HR Idea Team, improving engagement, and encouraging a speak-up culture.

Last, but not least, we chatted with our own Anita Stasiowski, associate vice president for administration and finance at External Affairs, who spoke about the hiring process specific to our department, from the job posting copy, where we post, and the prescreening process to the interview and job offer.

We look forward to more conversations with all of them, as well as with others around the University.

Listening sessions for hiring managers

In support of the committee’s area of focus—Hiring, Retention, and Workplace Culture—we hosted three listening sessions for our hiring managers. The goal was for them to share their challenges and successes with recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse job candidates. The first session, held on July 19, drew a robust crowd and plenty of good questions. The next meeting was on August 4, and due to demand, we added a third on August 9.

Inclusive job posting copy

When it comes to the language for job postings, the University has started using Textio software, which flags problematic words and phrases and suggests more inclusive copy. Early reviews are that it’s helpful, but not perfect. To augment the effort, a few of our committee members will review EA job postings to catch any language that could potentially be exclusionary or biased.

What’s next?

With help from Carla Baratta in Print Design, we’ve designed and developed visual aids that capture the fundamental tenets of the working agreements, a graphic cheat sheet if you will. In the coming month, look for posters and cards in strategic areas such as conference rooms, kitchens, and offices, and hopefully a screen saver while folks are waiting to enter Zoom meetings.

The EA DEI website is under construction, and we’re hoping for a launch in early fall. We envision the site as both a resource and platform for dialogue.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re rapidly approaching the one-year anniversary of our first meeting as a committee last November. It’s amazing how fast time passes when there is so much work to do! But we all agree it’s been eye-opening and meaningful and has deepened our connections to one another as well as to our workplace. To that end, if anyone is interested in joining next year’s group, which officially convenes this fall, please reach out to Sharon Freeman (freeman@bu.edu) or Carol Duan (duanr@bu.edu) to learn more.

And check out this resource: BU’s Organizational Development & Learning is staging a series of workshops, now through the end of October, on topics ranging from handling difficult conversations to managing change within your team.

Who we are (and what we hoard!)

Over the next several newsletters, we’ll introduce you to members of the committee—there are 14 of us, spanning all departments and lengths of service at BU. Meet these four:

GEMMA ACHEAMPONG

What do you do at MarCom?

I’m a web content producer for BU Today, Bostonia, and The Brink.

When did you start at BU?

September 2021.

Why did you join the DEI Committee?

I was a relatively new hire when I reached out to see if I could be on the committee. I’ve always been interested in DEI in and out of the workplace, so I thought it would be a great way to get more involved and feel like I’m helping make positive changes. I’ve found it to be an experience that has helped me both learn more about what DEI truly means and slowly chip away at the DEI work in External Affairs.

What item would you hoard if you learned it was being discontinued?

Probably rice or pasta. I have a love/love relationship with carbs.

You can reach Gemma at: gemmaa@bu.edu

ALENE BOURANOVA

What do you do at MarCom?

I’m a writer for BU Today and Bostonia magazine.

When did you start at BU?

September 2020, after graduating from COM in 2016.

Why did you join the DEI Committee?

In short, I like to be helpful. I always strive to be part of a solution rather than part of a problem. That’s what the committee is for me: a solution. Being on the committee allows me to help make sure MarCom walks the walk in being a truly inclusive and respectful workplace for all. (And that folks genuinely enjoy being a part of the MarCom team!) Additionally, as one of the writers on the committee, I hope to learn best practices from my colleagues and DEI experts so that BU Today’s content is as representative of its readership as possible.

What item would you hoard if you learned it was being discontinued?

Ooooh, either the mini soy rice crackers from Trader Joe’s or Albanese sour gummy bears (the blue bag—IYKYK).

You can reach Allie at: abour@bu.edu

ANDY COSTELLO

What do you do at MarCom?

Photography manager for Boston University Photography.

When did you start at BU?

I started as a temporary employee in August 2011 and was hired full time in November 2011.

Why did you join the DEI Committee?

I have always considered myself to be a passive and introverted person, and I saw this committee as an opportunity to be more active in making the place that I work better. I have never worked anywhere that is very diverse—in fact, BU may be the most diverse place I’ve worked. That said, I know that BU, and External Affairs specifically, can strive to improve its diversity and provide an inclusive workplace where all feel welcome and are respected.

On a personal level, I also joined the DEI Committee to educate myself about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have two young daughters and I want them to grow up in a neighborhood and attend a school where everyone feels welcome. I want them to be around and interact with people who are different than they are. I want to be able to explain to them why we live where we do, why diversity is important, and why it is important to be open to meeting and learning about people who are different from themselves.

What item would you hoard if you learned it was being discontinued?

Peanut butter.

You can reach Andy at: amc01@bu.edu

CALEB DANILOFF

What do you do at MarCom?

I’m a senior marketing writer in Creative Services.

When did you start at BU?

November 2007 at BU Today and Bostonia. In 2012, I snuck over to Creative Services.

Why did you join the DEI Committee?

Aside from trying to better educate myself on DEI matters, one of the main reasons I joined is because of my experience with addiction and recovery. While the deadly drug scourge continues unabated, we’re also seeing many people surviving their experience and turning their lives around. As we know, addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. People in recovery tend to be transparent, self-aware, reliable, resourceful, and creative. So how can we encourage them to apply for positions at BU and MarCom, especially when their résumés might have gaps and legal blemishes? And how do we support them when they are hired? By the same token, I want to help create a supportive environment at MarCom for staffers who find themselves struggling or have a loved one in active addiction.

What item would you hoard if you learned it was being discontinued?

Peppermint Joe Joe’s from Trader Joe’s.

You can reach Caleb at: cdanilof@bu.edu

Tune in next time for another round of introductions! In the meantime, if you have any queries, concerns, or comments, you can email the committee: eadei@bu.edu. Of course, you’re always welcome to reach out to any individual member too.

Until next time, be well,
Members of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee at External Affairs