Our Charge

The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) acknowledges and affirms diversity in its myriad forms through support and promotion of persons, campus- and community-based groups, and educational initiatives representing diverse cultural perspectives and sociodemographic backgrounds. As active agents in decision making, the DAC advises the University President and the campus community on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Revised and adopted Fall 2019

Our Executive Leadership 2023-2024

Faculty Co-Chair - Anisa Goforth

Staff Co-Chair - Karen Schlatter

Student Co-Chair - Erin Heaton

Secretary - Dana Fitz Gale

Treasurer - Jennifer Schoffer Closson

Operating and Membership Guidelines

Revised and adopted Fall 2022

Section I - The DAC membership includes:

1. Faculty
   1. Three (3) positions to be filled via Faculty Senate nomination
2. Staff
   1. One (1) position to be filled via Staff Senate nomination
3. Students
   1. Seven (7) positions to be filled from four of the student groups in the Branch Center and three other student groups on campus
4. Program/Office Representatives
   1. One staff member or faculty member or administrator from each of the following campus units:
      1. American Indian Student Services
      2. ASUM Office
      3. Intercollegiate Athletics
      4. Missoula College
      5. Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success
      6. Office for Disability Equity
      7. Enrollment Services
      8. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office
      9. Global Engagement Office
      10. Human Resource Services
      11. Mansfield Library
      12. UM Housing
      13. TRiO Student Support Services/ TRiO Upward Bound
      14. Undergraduate Advising Center
      15. UM Marketing
      16. MOSSAIC
      17. Office of Military and Veteran Services 
      18. Director of Inclusive Excellence Office
      19. UMOnline

Section II - Elections and Co-Chairs

1. Council faculty co-chair, staff co-chair, student co-chair, secretary, and treasurer will be elected at the last meeting of the current academic year for the next academic year by the whole council.
2. The co-chairs consist of one faculty member, one staff member or administrator, and one student. The co-chairs stagger their terms to allow for continuity within the council. Terms are available for renewal once.
   1. The Faculty Co-Chair will be elected on even years
   2. The Staff Co-Chair will be elected on odd years
   3. The Student Co-Char will be elected every year by the student representatives to the DAC

Section III - Council member term limits

1. While the DAC meetings are open to everyone, term limits allow for greater participation across campus and an increase in diversity
   1. Faculty and Staff Senate members will have two-year terms and positions are maintained through the Staff Senate Office and Faculty Senate Office.
   2. Students will have annual terms. The students will need to notify the Diversity Council Executive Committee of their representatives no later than the beginning of June.
   3. Program/Office Representatives do not have term limits, but are confirmed or newly appointed in May to determine the representative for the following academic year by the leadership of each Program/Office. These decisions will be sent to the Diversity Advisory Council Executive Committee at the beginning of June.

Section IV - Member voting guidelines

1. Decisions concerning financial or policy issues require a vote of members and other topics require a consensus of the meeting attendees.
2. On occasion voting will be conducted via email, but requires a window of five working days to submit a vote. On a case by case basis, the required five working day window will be waived if a vote is needed to resolve an urgent matter.
3. Quorum is necessary for all decisions and is determined to be the number of members present each meeting.

Section V - Committees of the DAC

1. At least one Executive Committee member will be on each Committee.
   1. Executive Committee – Faculty Co-Chair, Staff Co-Chair, Student Co-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary
   2. Mini-Grants/Funding
   3. DEI Plan Accountability/Assessment
   4. Awards (Student and Borgmann)
   5. Communications (Outreach and Marketing)