DIVERSITY TIP OF THE WEEK: Think Symmetry

As staff and faculty, it's important to pay attention to the way we address each other at work. Some people prefer informality and opt to use first names, introducing themselves as "Frank", for example. Others prefer a formal mode of address and use titles such as "Dr.," "Ms." and "Mr." Sometimes people of color prefer more formality because of prior experiences of discrimination.  When in doubt, it's better that the mode of address be similar or symmetrical.  For example, if I want to be referred to as "Dr.," then the person I'm addressing should probably be called "Mr." or "Ms." or "Dr." in order to be fair and equitable. This way we avoid subtle "rankism", where people are treated as "less than" because of their rank in the hierarchy.

--Mark Brimhall-Vargas, PhD, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer

For more information, contact:

Jenny Denton

Office of Diversity & Inclusion

+1 301 405 6810

denton@umd.edu

www.diversity.umd.edu