DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Spectator’s mission has two parts equal in importance. We create publications and products united by a goal of helping our audience make the most of their Columbia experience. We also aim to do the same for our staff, as their growth and development during their time at Spectator are just as significant to us as the work that we do.

Increasing our diversity is central to making good on this mission. If our staff is not representative of the Columbia and Barnard student bodies, we cannot comprehensively report on the communities that we serve.

In spring 2019, Spectator formed a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, comprised of five leaders from our Journalism and Business & Innovations divisions, to examine how issues surrounding identity impact our ability to fulfill our mission—in regard to both our audience and our staff—and to establish tangible steps to increase our diversity.

In the same semester, the committee conducted an anonymous demographic survey of Spectator’s staff and held listening sessions with members of each of our 13 sections to collect data and facilitate honest conversation on the current state of diversity in our organization. The findings of the survey and the information gathered in these conversations were summarized in an inaugural staff diversity report.

The publication of this report is part of a larger commitment to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. As we continue to take steps in this direction, we invite any feedback you may have. Please contact us at editor@columbiaspectator.com with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the report.