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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">Hi bio friends! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">I’m Shannon, a course 5-7 senior and currently one of two undergrad reps on the bio department’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Council. As I’m graduating soon, I will need
some new undergrads in the department to replace me on the council! If you want to know more about what the council is, please check out <a href="https://biology.mit.edu/about/diversity/dei-council/"><span style="color:black">our webpage</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">Being on the council is a very flexible commitment (so you can really do as little or as much as you’d like). The minimum responsibility is to attend monthly council meetings
(lasting 1-1.5 hrs each). On top of that, you’re free to propose and organize any DEI-related initiatives to strengthen the undergraduate biology community. An example of something we did last semester is hosting this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTEeu1FoLaY&t=1165s"><span style="color:black">Applying
to Grad School panel session</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">If you want to help make the biology community a more welcoming place to people of all backgrounds (and you’re not a senior), you should consider applying to be part of the
DEI Council! It’s also a great place to meet cool people of all positions (grad students, postdocs, faculty, staff) in the department!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>To apply, fill out this <a href="https://forms.gle/GaZdrxsgkPfQtG63A"><span style="color:black">short
application form</span></a> by Monday 11/29.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We’ll review applications and select 2 new council members before the end of the semester.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">If you have any questions about the application process, the council itself, or what it’s like being on the council, feel free to reach out to me! I’d be more than happy to
talk about anything DEI-related :)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">Looking forward to your joining the council,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"-webkit-standard",serif;color:black">Shannon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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