# Presentation: 523332

## CISE New Action for Broadening Participation (BP) of Underrepresented Groups (UGs) in Computing

- Janice Cuny
- Timothy Pinkston
- October 19, 2007
- CISE AC Meeting

## Motivation for New Action

- Broadening participation is not well addressed by CISE PIs in proposals and projects
*NSF Strategic Plan (06-48):* “Expand efforts to broaden participation from UGs and diverse institutions in all NSF [funded] activities”
*CEOSE 2005-06 Biennial Report to Congress:* “NSF should continue to design and employ *new policy levers* that focus the attention of PIs and their institutions on diversity aspects of the Broader Impacts criterion...”

## CISE BP WG

- Formed on June 19th, 2007
- WG Members:
- Janice Cuny (CNS), Anita LaSalle (CNS), Mary Lou Maher (IIS), *Timothy M. Pinkston (CCF),* Sylvia Spengler (IIS), Joseph Urban (CCF)
- Charged with
- Exploring the merits of including a departmental plan for BP in proposals submitted to CISE
- Developing an Action Plan designed to seek input on this and other related approaches to broadening participation of UGs in computing
- WG Recommendations
- New Policy: Include departmental plan for BP
- CISE Strategic Plan

## Proposed New Policy

_*Policy:*_ *“A departmental plan for BP of UG to be included in the Supplementary Documentation section of proposals submitted to CISE”*
- Can outline strategies and activities for BP of UG
- Can address outreach, mentoring, assessment, training, recruitment, admission, yield, retention, graduation, hiring, promotion, leadership, ...
- Can complement institution’s own diversity plan
- Sanctioned by departments, attested to by Chair
- Plans will _*not*_ be assessed in the review process
- Intended to aid PIs in proposing BP activities that advance/complement departmental objectives

## Merits of Proposed New Policy

- Department plan provides a “framework” for PIs to incorporate BP activities in proposed projects
- Leverage resources, relationships, goals
- BP responsive to departmental context
- Raises awareness and instills ownership of BP
- Individually by faculty members
- Institutionally by departments
- Collectively as a community
- Creates opportunities for leadership
- CISE Strategic Plan for BP can be modeled
- Showcase a diverse set of departmental plans

## WG Recommendations

- If implemented, the WG recommends that CISE
- Should be clear about what new policy requires
- Departmental plan or statement of “no plan”
- Needed by departments of all PIs and co-PIs
- Should engage the community
- Inform through “Dear Colleague” letter, FAQs, website, outreach talks (Snowbird), CRN article, professional societies/orgs, other such outlets
- Sponsor workshop(s) on BP for chairs and PIs
- Should roll-out in time schedule to facilitate buy-in
- Pilot in FY’08 CRI program?  FY’09 Expeditions?
- Adopt CISE-wide in FY’09 or Jan. 2009?
- Should assess impact of the new policy over time
- WG requests comments/suggestions from AC

## CISE Strategic Planning for BP: Scope

- BP within CISE education and research communities
- BP within CISE internal activities

## CISE Strategic Planning for BP: Outcomes

- Identify emerging needs and opportunities in education and research
- Develop goals and standards for increased participation and assessment
- Recommend future directions and funding priorities
- Produce public report

## CISE Strategic Planning for BP: Committee

**Internal Committee:** Jan Cuny, Anita LaSalle, Mary Lou Maher, Timothy Pinkston, Sylvia Spengler, Joseph Urban
**Internal Committee Advisors:** Deborah Crawford, Haym Hirsh
**External Committee (AC members):** Richard Ladner, Jose Díaz-Herrera, Melissa O’Neill
**External Committee:** TBA