Diversity & Inclusion Resources

Undergraduate Information

At CAS and BU, we strive to foster an academic environment that enables students from all backgrounds to flourish. In doing so, we are seeking to enhance and improve upon the university’s legacy of proactive inclusion and social justice. Part of creating an empowering and accessible learning environment is providing the resources for students from a wide range of backgrounds to find support, information, and community. You can read BU’s diversity statement on their main website and find more information at the BU Diversity & Inclusion website.

Get Support

  • CAS Diversity & Inclusion (D & I) develops the capacity of CAS faculty, staff, and students to prioritize equity and inclusion in their intellectual and creative endeavors, community engagement, and daily practices. CAS D & I is as a primary resource for the College’s strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, and for community members seeking guidance and support. The office strives to engage all CAS community members meaningfully by employing innovative strategies attuned to the unique needs and concerns of its diverse community.
    The office is located at 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 107. CASDI’s staff, comprised of the Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Student DEI Engagement Coordinator can be contacted via email at casdi@bu.edu
  • Office of the Ombuds is an independent, impartial, informal problem-solving resource serving faculty, staff, and students on the Charles River and Medical Campus. The Office maintains strict confidentiality and provides a safe place for you to have off-the-record conversations on issues related to life, work, or study at BU.
  • Equal Opportunity Office works to promote and realize BU’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. They offer trainings and information regarding Title IX, affirmative action, and disability accommodations, among other items.
  • Behavioral Medicine offers a range of mental health services to BU students, including a 24/7 on-call service, group treatment, phone consultation, and outreach and prevention programming
  • Residence Life Area Directors are full-time, live-in professional staff members who oversee the day-to-day operation of a specific residence hall or cluster of halls. They are trained to handle a variety of situations concerning their residents.

    Connect 

    • BU offers over 400 student organizations for students’ academic, service, and social interests. These include over 40 culture-based groups, such as Umoja (the black student union), the International Students Association, the Asian Student Union (ASU), and Alianza Latina. You can find all of them through the school’s official Student Group Search.
    • The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground brings students together to learn about each other and themselves while discussing the issues of today. Join them for a book club, art exhibits, and other community events as members partake in our shared human search for common ground.
    • Minority Connection Initiative is a student-founded organization bringing together students, faculty, and staff who identify as racial minorities. They hold recurring events and connect underrepresented students with faculty mentors.
    • Being one of the first in your family to go to college is a remarkable feat. If you’d like to meet with similar students, faculty and staff,  The Newbury Center supports and celebrates the First Gen community at BU.
    • The Center for Gender, Sexuality, and Activism aims to be a safe space on campus for people of all genders and sexualities. The group does advocacy on campus and in the surrounding community in pursuit of full equality and inclusion of women, queer, and trans students and people.
    • The Trans and Nonbinary Listening Circle meets weekly, giving nonbinary, trans, and ally students a place to talk about issues affecting themselves and the wider communities.
    • Queer Activist Collective aims to promote awareness, visibility, and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community here at BU. They gather weekly to discuss how to make our campus a safer, more inclusive space.
    • The Newman Catholic Center at BU, BU Hillel, Islamic Society of BU, and the BU Hindu Students Council are among the various campus religious groups that offer students a place to express their faith freely. You can find a full list on the Student Group directory.

        Advance Your Career

        • ARROWS: Advance, Recruit, Retain & Organize Women in STEM helps women pursuing careers in STEM fields find research opportunities, funding, and support across the university. It can also help with networking and mentoring needs.
        • Students looking for internship guidance can visit the Center for Career Development to learn about opportunities as well scholarships such as the Yawkey Nonprofit Internship Program.
        • Alumni Relations connects you with BU alumni for networking opportunities upon graduation. Additionally, groups for black alumni, Asian alumni, female alumni, and alumni in various geographic areas worldwide can help you network with like-minded individuals.
        • Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, although each person’s experience is different. The Center for Global Education’s All Abroad provides resources and advice so all students can feel safe and afford to go abroad during their college years.
        • The MyCoach app from nonprofit Beyond12 can help you keep track of important academic and financial deadlines and receive support from mentors and fellow students. It’s all about giving you that extra push of confidence to succeed at college. It’s part of Beyond12’s initiative to help more lower-income students graduate from college.

        Give Back

        • The Office of STEM Outreach & Diversity brings undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and the community together to strengthen STEM education for both BU and local Boston-area students. You can find opportunities to volunteer and broader your own academic pursuits here.
        • BU’s Admissions Student Diversity Board (ASDB) offers you the opportunity to help shape the future of the University. Get a peek into the admissions process and help coordinate events for the present and future BU community.