NYUAD Accountability Framework

Fall 2020 - Spring 2022

In July 2020, Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann made a series of commitments to integrate inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity (IDBE) in all of NYU Abu Dhabi’s programs, departments, and initiatives. Shortly after, Provost Arlie Petters, Chief Business and Administrative Officer Peter Christensen, and Chief of Staff Jessica Sederquist began developing the accountability framework below to ensure that such commitments were enacted in a tangible and sustainable manner that would contribute to long-lasting cultural change across all university constituencies. Both the commitments and the corresponding accountability framework have been revised to reflect the evolving needs of the community. An updated list of commitments and the corresponding accountability framework will be published shortly.

 

If any group in our community suffers from instances of systemic bias, our institution as a whole is not living up to its founding values. And so we need to work together to address and dismantle systemic racism, and strive to become an inclusive and equitable community anchored in mutual respect and solidarity

Mariët Westermann, Vice Chancellor

The framework was not intended to be an exhaustive accounting of all IDBE activities happening across NYUAD, nor was it the only way to measure success and timelines associated with this work. Rather, it was meant to be a living document that captures actions in response to the Vice Chancellor’s July commitments over a specific period of time and continued to be utilized until Spring 2022 when the commitments were revised. In addition to the below, IDBE is centered in other institutional priorities such as the Academic Strategy and WorkSmart.

This accountability framework was developed in collaboration with numerous stakeholders, including colleagues from the Office of Inclusion & Equity, NYU’s Office of Global Inclusion, and the Implementation Committee on Race, Diversity, and Belonging, (which has now transitioned to the Inclusion, Equity, and Action Committee). Actions and measures were also informed by more than twenty listening sessions conducted with community groups across campus in October 2020 by the Implementation Committee,  as well as the Our NYUAD, Journey to Belonging Campus Climate Survey.  

The framework was launched in Spring 2021, including a launch event with Vice Chancellor Westermann , the Senior Director of the Office of Inclusion and Equity, and the Implementation Committee co-chairs.

Actions and Progress