Departmental Consultation and Support

Through consultation, IDE provides targeted recommendations, as well as information on best practices. This service includes giving advice, sharing insight, and referring units to available resources.

Process and Benefits

IDE staff will work with divisional and departmental leaders to identify workplace concerns, provide advice to improve departmental climate and culture. This service is staffed by experienced DEI professionals and facilitators who are experts in organizational behavior and culture. Additionally, IDE has access to an array of other professionals including trainers, coaches, diversity practitioners, professional associations and Dartmouth officials to assist in consultation tasks. 

Purposes of consultation can include:

  • Providing requested information
  • Generating solutions to a given problem
  • Conducting diagnosis that may redefine a problem
  • Provide recommendations
  • Assisting in implementation
  • Building consensus and commitment
  • Facilitating learning
  • Improving organizational effectiveness

Departmental consultations are two-way processes that require full commitment from leaders to engage in reflection, skills development, and ongoing climate improvement. IDE requires interested unit leaders to sign an Engagement Agreement outlining roles and responsibilities that leaders must commit to for successful organizational transformation.

Benefits of using IDE's consultation services include:

  • Context specific advice
  • Expert counsel and guidance
  • Training targeted to YOUR needs
  • Cost effective—free to Dartmouth academic and administrative units
  • Professional service from qualified experts

For Immediate or Critical Situations

The departmental consultation may take several weeks to complete and is not meant to address crisis situations or situations which require an immediate response. For crisis situations, individuals should contact the Department of Safety and Security. For situations that may constitute a violation of the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (NDAP), individuals should contact Institutional Diversity and Equity Compliance.

What to Expect During an Initial Consultation

Consultation is a voluntary activity; therefore, department/divisional leaders must proactively request support. Leaders interested in scheduling a consultation should email IDE@dartmouth.edu

The consultation will discuss your specific needs and gather information to inform recommendations. Following the initial consultation, IDE will establish a working timeline and schedule follow-up discussions based on the priority assigned to your request, your work schedule, and the time needed for IDE to adequately prepare to serve you. IDE will send you a detailed written action plan explaining their findings, sharing recommendations for unit leaders and campus resources to address the situation. IDE will continue working with units and schedule period reviews to ensure adequate progress on recommended action steps.