University at Buffalo (UB)
Resources
At the University at Buffalo and the School of Dental Medicine, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. We are guided by evidence-based practices and policies - resources we use in our commitment to inclusive excellence in research and education.
EDI Case Study is a regular publication produced by the SDM Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Each issue focuses on a topic relevant to equity, diversity and inclusion as it relates to working and learning at the UB SDM. All publications are accessible to SDM faculty, staff and students.
Accessibility at UB shares legal requirements, recommendations, policies and reporting tools to share concerns and recommendations.
Accessibility Resources coordinates reasonable accommodations for equitable access to UB for students with disabilities.
Admissions processes are essential mechanisms to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion at UB SDM and to the future dental workforce. Listed below are both internal and external resources that can help guide the processes and decisions of admissions committees.
Preventing Unconscious Bias in Admissions Processes
TEDx Videos
Immaculate perception by Jerry Kang
Why the best hire might not have the perfect resume by Regina Hartley
American Dental Education Association Statement on Racial Injustice and Diversity Checklist
Journal of Dental Education's special edition on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in dental education, published in September 2022
Oral Health in America Advances and Challenges, 2021, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Oral Health in America: Summary of the Surgeon General's Report, 2000
Advancing Oral Health in America The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine
Color-Blind Racial Beliefs Among Dental Students and Faculty Journal of Dental Education
The UB SDM provides interpretation services using Cyracom, an interpreter service for Limited English Proficient and American Sign Language patients. More information about this service can be accessed through UB SDM's CARES (Counseling, Advocacy, Referral, Education and Service) program.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ensures UB's compliance with policies covering discrimination, harassment, accommodations, equal opportunity and child protection.
UB Counseling Services (UBCS) has a diverse staff with student of color specialists and counselors who specialize in international student concerns. Students can schedule an appointment to meet with UB SDM’s embedded counselor, Alison Smith, or any other counselor at UBCS. If students prefer to work with someone else, they can identify their preference for a particular counselor at their needs assessment appointment. If students prefer to be seen in the community for counseling services, UBCS can assist with referrals.
- Phone Crisis Support (During Business Hours) Call during business hours (716-645-2720). No appointment needed.
- After-Hours Counselor On-Call If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone immediately, during normal business hours call and ask speak to a crisis counselor (716-645-2720). If your emergency occurs after normal business hours, call 716-645-2720 and press option “2” to speak with a counselor or call
The UB SDM Search Committee Toolkit defines the roles and responsibilities of members of the search committee, outlines a detailed, step-by-step procedure for all searches - from writing the job posting to onboarding and mentoring a new employee - and provides additional resources to support the search process. The toolkit aligns with and is linked to all UB policies and procedures and highlights best practices in equity, diversity and inclusion.
Counseling Services promotes the personal well-being and academic success of students by providing brief mental health services, educational programs, crisis intervention, and campus community consultation.
Intercultural and Diversity Center provides a welcoming space for students, and coordinates educational programs and cultural events aimed to broaden student perspectives and promote inclusion, equity, and social justice.
LGBTQ Support includes campus resources, rights and protections, and working groups.
Office of Inclusive Excellence collaborate, plan and coordinate with partners across the university to build a culture of diversity, social justice, and inclusion that makes all of us stronger.
Student Conduct and Advocacy helps maintain a safe campus by enforcing rules and regulations, managing conduct, and providing support resources to UB students.
Veteran Services helps student veterans transition into civilian life, as they learn more about balancing college with other life obligations.
UB's Office of Curriculum Assessment and Teaching Transformation (CATT) serves as a comprehensive conduit between faculty and university instructional support in our collective efforts to promote the end-goal of student excellence and success.
The State University of New York System provides diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice (DEISJ) support through selected DEISJ Fellows from across SUNY Campuses. These faculty provide faculty-to-faculty support to develop and teach curricula that meet the DEISJ student learning outcomes.
A select list of guidelines, policies and accommodations are included below. For a full list, visit the Undergraduate Policy Library, Graduate School Policy Library, and Faculty & Staff Guidelines and Policies
Academic Grievance Policy encourages the prompt consultative resolution of grievances of graduate students as they arise and to provide orderly procedures for the formal consideration and resolution of complaints that cannot be resolved through consultation.
Bias-Related Confrontations and Incidents: Student Life coordinates the University's response to reports of intolerance toward students that are specifically manifested as bias-related incidents.
Child Protection Policy governs conduct in the presence of children, ensures that a duty of care will be met in programs responsible for children, and requires the reporting of child abuse and inappropriate conduct.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy describes how the university will investigate or resolve reports of discrimination and harassment.
Faculty Personnel Actions Policies and Procedures describes appointment, promotion and tenure policies.
Faculty Development and Mentoring Policy outlines the faculty development and mentoring strategies to be implemented across campus.
Graduate School Policy Library serves as a resource for both graduate students and their advisors. These policies contain information on official policies and procedures relating to admissions, registration, grading, student records, degree requirements and academic integrity.
Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Accommodations supports family-friendly policies and practices.
Recruitment Policy affirms UB as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and will conduct a competitive recruitment for all positions to identify and attract a diverse and qualified candidate pool.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy explains procedures for requesting workplace and academic accommodations for a disability or medical condition
Religious Accommodations supports your right to classroom and workplace accommodations based on religion. It also upholds UB’s commitment to the free expression of religion on campus.
Sexual Violence Response Policy describes confidential disclosure of acts of sexual violence.
Special Living Accommodations provides gender inclusive living accommodations, as well as accommodations for families and students with special needs.
Student Preferred Chosen Name Policy describes the use of a student’s preferred/chosen name in the classroom and on campus.
Web Accessibility Policy requires UB's web content to be accessible to everyone, including people with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments, with or without the use of assistive technology.
Addiction Center: Learn about addiction, mental health, and treatment options near you.
American Addiction Center provides family therapy for alcohol addiction and other important resources for college students.
Crisis Counseling via NY Project Hope (716) 250-2478
Crisis Services of Erie County at 716-834-3131
POC crisis text line: Text “STEVE” to 741-741; Steve Fund https://www.stevefund.org/
Additional resources:
Talking about Race: National Museum of African American History and Culture
What is Equity-Mindedness USC Center for Urban Education
Tools to Support Practitioner Inquiry USC Center for Urban Education
Lenses of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Course Materials
"Assessing Underserved Students' Engagement in High-Impact Practices," Association of American Colleges and Universities
"The Underestimated Significance of Practitioner Knowledge in the Scholarship of Student Success," The Review of Higher Education (Login required.)
"The Case for an Anti-Racist Stance Toward Paying Off Higher Education's Racial Debt," Routledge (2020)
UB SDM has over 30 student-run organizations that add to the vibrant culture of our school. Learn more about their work and how to get involved.