WHAT DOES THE EQUITY
ADMINISTRATOR DO,
ANYWAY?
Presentation to Library Assembly
Timothy Hackman
April 18, 2017

OUTLINE
• What are the University of Maryland’s goals re: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion?
• What does the Equity Administrator do?
• How can the Equity Administrator help me?
• Q&A

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GOALS
Key Documents:
• Equal to the Best: 2016 Strategic Plan Update for the University of Maryland,
http://www.provost.umd.edu/sp15/2016StrategicPlanUpdateFinal.pdf
• Transforming Maryland: Expectations for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion,
http://www.provost.umd.edu/Documents/Strategic_Plan_for_Diversity.pdf (2010)
• Transforming Maryland – Higher Expectations: The Strategic Plan for the University
of Maryland (2008)

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GOALS
• Vigorously recruit, enroll, retain, and graduate low-income and underrepresented ethnic
minority students (undergrad and grad), in all disciplines, as well as female students in STEM
disciplines.
• Increase need-based financial aid resources to support low-income students.
• Vigorously recruit, hire, tenure, and promote underrepresented-minority faculty in all
disciplines, as well as female faculty in disciplines where they are underrepresented.
• Foster an inclusive climate, where there is a strong sense of community and where students,
staff, and faculty from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds feel welcomed, valued,
and actively engaged
-- Equal to the Best, VII, p. 20

ROLE OF THE EQUITY ADMINISTRATORS
Advise the University President and administration on:
• The recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce;
• Facilitation to resolve complaints by students and employees, in consultation with
other appropriate campus personnel and offices;
• Ways in which to foster respectful, professional, and equitable work environments

ROLE OF THE EQUITY ADMINISTRATORS
Provide assistance at the unit level with:
• Developing unit policies to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes in
accordance with university-wide policies;
• Assisting in the development and review of diversity goals within units;
• Monitoring searches and hiring for all faculty and staff positions;
• Conducting periodic reviews of progress and suggesting the need for re-evaluation
and corrective action;
• Working with other unit members to analyze tenure, promotion, and salary equity
processes and policies;
• Serving as an intermediary in the unit to resolve faculty, staff, and students
complaints of unfair treatment.

THE EQUITY COUNCIL
Chaired by the Chief Diversity Officer & Associate Vice President, the Equity Council:
• Serves as an advisory resource to the President, individual council members, and the
campus community;
• Provides leadership in the articulation and development of affirmative action
policies and procedures for the campus community;
• Reviews and recommends, as appropriate, search and selection policies and
procedures for the University and its colleges and departments;
• Provides analytical reports and observations to the President.

SO WHAT DO I ACTUALLY DO?
Advise on many phases of Search and Selection process:
• Approve job descriptions
• Deliver the Equity Charge at initial search committee meetings
• Approve Search & Selection Plans
• Approve phone and in-person interview questions
• Respond to questions from search committees and LHR re: equity concerns during
the search process
• Review and approve committee minutes and documentation to ensure all
candidates are evaluated equitably
• Review and approve requests for search waivers

SO WHAT DO I ACTUALLY DO?
Other tasks:
• Track data on the Libraries’ efforts to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse workforce
• Meet with the Dean and LMG to discuss Libraries’ efforts in these areas
• Meet with Libraries Human Resources regularly and monitor list of searches in
progress
• Attend monthly Equity Council meetings and respond to requests for information
from the University’s Chief Diversity Officer or designee
• Act as a resource for Libraries’ staff regarding perceived inequities in the workplace.
Escalate or refer cases appropriately.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
http://libi.lib.umd.edu/groups/equity-administrator
• About the Equity Administrator and Equity Council
• Standard Equity Charge
• Campus, Government, and Other Resources
• Interview Questions and Interviewing Tips
• Libraries EEO Data (in progress)
• Report an Equity Concern

QUESTIONS?