The Diversity Initiatives Committee at Purchase College-SUNY hopes to ensure that the institution’s goals (both existing and future) continue to align themselves with a strong commitment to diversity. Therefore, our Committee has collected and maintained an accurate guide of the current programs and services on campus that focus on diversity appreciation and/or multicultural education. The information is now available online for all members of the campus community to use in planning, accreditation reports, developing recruitment initiatives, etc.
The Committee asked via a survey that the appropriate representatives share the activities in their department that promote diversity among students, faculty, and staff. These activities include but are not limited to: programming, services, and recruitment strategies, types of advertising, courses, or curriculum. The term “diversity” refers to but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status/class, or status as a veteran.
The survey questions were as followed:
1. For which department, office, or program are you reporting?
2. What activities promoting diversity were in place in your area prior to Fall Semester `06 and are continuing through Fall `07?
3. What activities promoting diversity has your area initiated or is planning to initiate in the period from Fall Semester `06 to Fall Semester `07?
4. If we have follow-up questions, whom should we contact?
Please note that the information provided in the guide below is subject to periodic updates. Also, additional offices will be added as their feedback is provided to us.
ADVISING CENTER
When choosing Peer Advisors, a concerted effort was made to pull from the EOP and MAP population of students. Special sections of the Freshman Seminar were created for the EOP/MAP cohort.
The Advising Center has set up a program with an inner-city residential living community for high school students. They bring in small groups of students for presentation about what it takes to succeed in college and the support services available to them. Advising plans to expand on this program.
For more information please contact, Bryan Roberts, Director, at extension 3992.
AFFIRMATION ACTION COMMITTEE
The Affirmative Action Committee has implemented several programs to promote diversity on campus. Some of the things they are instituting include: the Tripartite Hearings System, undergoing training for it, writing a mission statement and a section on harassment for the faculty handbook.
For more information please contact, Nancy Bowen at nancy.bowen@purchase.edu or extension 6774.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Purchase College’s Career Development Center is committed to offering career programs and services designed to assist our diverse student population. The CDC is dedicated to helping students with career decisions, providing preparation for and referral to job and internship opportunities through programs and related services by addressing the career development needs of students of color and gay, lesbian and transgender students.
Diversity in the Workplace Seminar: Students come together for a discussion on diversity issues in the workplace. Concerns such as adapting to corporate culture, handling discrimination, “coming out” at work, and dealing with office politics are addressed.
Panel Discussions and Networking Events: Students gain exposure to various career options during these informative panels and discussions. Speakers from underrepresented populations share their “career stories” and provide advice on how to “break the glass ceiling” and successfully achieve one’s career goals.
Special Topic Workshops for Student Clubs and Organizations: The Career Development Center will conduct specialized presentations for student clubs and organizations upon request. They visit clubs during their regular meeting times, invite clubs to attend sessions at the CDC, and offer opportunities for collaboration and co-sponsorship for events of interest. Career Development strongly believes that the success of their diversity programming depends upon the active partnership with student leaders.
Books, Publications & Handouts: The CDC has an excellent resource library that includes a variety of multicultural career development books, publications, and handouts. These resources are designed to increase students’ awareness of professional issues, community development and civic engagement, and opportunities available for underrepresented populations. Students will become aware of rights and advocacy resources and will demonstrate positive strategies to contribute to the accomplishment of career goals. Some of the titles available include: Magazines—The Black Collegian & Diversity Job Choices; Books—The Color Blind Career, 100 Best Companies for Gay Men & Lesbians, Career Track or Side Track, Pathways to Career Success for Minorities, Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling and more!
Alumni Mentor Network: Over 100 Purchase College Alumni from across all professional areas and cultural backgrounds have volunteered to participate as mentors who will share their career experience and guidance with current students through informational interviews, job shadowing, phone conversations or email contacts. Students have the opportunity to connect with alum from similar backgrounds who can share invaluable advice on a variety of career development issues.
For information, please contact Tara Blackwell, Career Counselor, at ext. 6371 or tara.blackwell@purchase.edu.
THE CENTER FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Consists of the following offices:
• Residence Life
• LEAD Center
• Orientation
• Commuter Services
• Campus Events
The Center for Student Engagement has 85 staff positions occupied by students. These students are recruited and selected via strategies that cast the widest net. These include the seeking of nominations from faculty and staff and outreach to student clubs and organizations. Once hired, our staff- professional and student- undergoes daylong diversity training at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, there is a mandatory leadership development program and among its objectives is multicultural appreciation.
Programming- both social and educational in nature is the heart of our Center’s efforts. Created and implemented by students and professionals, our programming philosophy revolves around four core values: wellness, community, citizenship and diversity. It is an expectation of our staff to participate in the promotion of leadership, diversity and service in our programs. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
• Step Up Pre-College Program: event where prospective students who applied and were accepted are invited to campus for the day to interact with faculty, staff, alumni and students. The program specifically focuses on students from under-represented backgrounds.
• LEAD Center Theme Weeks: Hispanic Heritage, Black History, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American, LGBT History and a Cultural Explosion Week are all programming traditions.
• Alternative Break Service Trips: A trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina served as the inaugural effort. Trips to Philadelphia, Mississippi and Florida on themes ranging from community clean up programs to Habitat for Humanity have followed.
CHARTWELL’S DINING SERVICES
Chartwell’s Dining Services has several programs to promote diversity in the workplace. This department views diversity as a general feeling of acceptance based on honesty, equality, and fairness. The programs they implement to promote their mission statement are:
• Be a Star (A year long program that requires 5 stars to complete)
• Associate Appreciation (Group Events)
• Associate Recognition (Individual Pin Recognition)
• Promotion from Within (High Priority)
• ABSOLUTLY (Power Your Own Destiny)
For more information contact Nick Mennillo, Director of Dining Services, at ext. 5989.
CHEESE CLUB
The Cheese Club may appear to be a fun only club, but they have an important idea and message of taste preservation and diversity. The club introduces cheeses to students from all regions and cultures and explains how they are made and traditionally eaten. This gives a little insight into different cultures and customs and helps promote diversity in taste and combats supermarket (local) and cultural homogenization. They will continue to host Cheese tasting, Cheese Pairing, traditional cheese preparations in the upcoming school year and will hopefully add a demonstration of cheese making this spring.
For more information, please contact Peri Lee Pipkin at peri.pipkin@purchase.edu or extension 3679.
THE CHILDREN’S CENTER
The Children’s Center promotes diversity by hiring a diverse staff. The biggest effort that this center does to hire a diverse staff is recruiting more male students to assist with this goal. For more information, contact Pat Amanna at x6894.
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
The Conservatory of Music’s new curriculum has required courses in World Music Traditions and a Survey of Jazz Music for Non-Jazz Majors. They have added a hand-drumming class focusing on Afro-Caribbean traditions. Next year, they will be adding a Gospel Vocal Ensemble. They have Cuban and Puerto-Rican artists-in-residence for 2007-08 who will be working with our students on music from other cultures. The Conservatory’s most recent hires include two Chinese faculty members, Du Yun and Huang Roo, and the Conservatory Coordinator, Beatriz Martin-Ruiz. The Conservatory also consists of more diverse students, with a larger African-America and Asian population than the rest of Purchase.
For more information, contact Laura Kaminsky at extension 6705 or
Laura.Kaminsky@purchase.edu.
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES COMMITTEE
The Diversity Initiatives Committee is a standing committee to the College Senate. The focus of the committee is to a) collect and develop a comprehensive guide of programs and services that focus on diversity appreciation and/or multicultural education; b) develop instruments for outreach to the campus community as a means to assess the current conditions concerning sensitivity and openness to diversity and then make recommendations based on the findings and c) create a vision that promotes diversity and multiculturalism both inside and outside the classroom thus supporting the educational mission of the institution.
For more information, contact Jason MInh Alt at extension 3174 or Jason.alt@purchase.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
The Financial Aid Office is concerned with all students regardless of age, gender, or ethnicities have access to a higher education through a variety of financial aid programs. None of these programs use diversity as criteria for awarding financial aid. The Financial Aid Office promotes student diversity by offering scholarships targeting students who are the first in their family to attend college. Since the only type of financial assistance that can be used to promote diversity must come from outside organizations, the new scholarship coordinators will gather information from such sources in addition to the institutional and state scholarships. The names of organizations that promote multi-cultural scholarships will be posted on the Financial Aid Office’s website.
For more information, please contact Emilie Devine, at Emelie-B.Devine@Purchase.edu.
HEALTH SERVICES
Health Services states that their hiring and recruitment practices and services offered for students in and out of themselves are non-discriminatory and promote diversity. Health Services is committed to continuing such practices in the future.
For more information, contact Adrienne Belluscio, Administrative Director of Health Services, at ext. 6385.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Office of International Programs and Services is committed to promoting diversity on campus. The Study Abroad Fair, for example, is an opportunity for students to learn about other parts of the world and where SUNY offers programs abroad.
The International Student Association (which has been revitalized and renamed the Cultural Emersion Club) sponsored an International Block Party this fall which the office helped to support. International food, clothing, vendors and music were featured. The event was the kick off to International Education Week (Nov 13-17). Several study vendors came to campus to meet with students regarding opportunities to study overseas. The office also held information sessions.
The Office of International Programs and Services plans to screen the film “Lost Boys” about refugee children in Sudan and showcase the organization “Water for Sudan” in the spring. We will have a welcome reception for new (and old) international students to which returning study abroad students will also be invited, whereby promoting their opportunities to meet and interact.
For more information, please contact Deirdre Sato, Director of International Programs and Services, at ext. 6032.
LIBRARY
The Purchase College Library has made a concerted effort in their hiring practices to ensure diverse pools of applicants. This includes advertising beyond the traditional job sites, using REFORMA (Hispanic Librarians Association), BCALA (Black Caucus of the American Library Association), etc. This has resulted in a more diverse library workforce, e.g. 25% African-American at the start of the fall semester.
The library continues to select materials for the library's collection that reflect the diversity of the curriculum and the student body. They often collaborate with faculty members on video purchases that are used both for courses and for public events, e.g. a film series for women's history month. There are also a variety of exhibits in the library as part of Black History Month, Women's History Month, etc. Currently, the library is featuring an exhibit on AIDS Awareness.
The library will continue all the above mentioned initiatives through Fall ‘07. Although they have not made too many specific plans pending completion of the library renovation, they are planning to collaborate with Dana Davis on public showing of video 12 Disciples of Nelson Mandela.
For more information, please contact Patrick Callahan, Director of the Library, at ext. 6436.
NATURAL SCIENCE- CSTEP (Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program)
CSTEP at Purchase plays a major role supporting African-American, Latino/Hispanic and economically disadvantaged college students in science programs leading to careers in science and health related professions. CSTEP works closely with Admissions to identify a small group of students who not meet the college’s selective admissions criteria, but have demonstrated high scholastic skills and potential for success in college while in high school. CSTEP students receive supplemental academic support. The services they are offered are:
• Financial Support Identification-CSTEP staff assists students with financial aid identification for graduate school and graduate school examinations
• Career Counseling-Career and academic advisement for individual students are provided by CSTEP faculty advisors
• Participation in Professional Meetings-A series of workshops are given during the semester covering many topics. CSTEP students have opportunities to interact with practitioner, role models, and members of professional societies to discuss career opportunities in specific area of interest.
• Graduate School Admissions Assistance-CSTEP offers assistance with graduate admission application and GRE, MCAT, LSAT examination preparation
• Research and Internship Opportunities-Academic year research and summer internships are made available to provide CSTEP students with hands-on experience to the profession and field of their interest
• Discipline-Based seminars/field trips-CSTEP students participates in field trips to career fairs, professional school admission fairs, professional seminars
STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) at Purchase College provides pre-college mentoring to select Westchester County middle and high school students from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged groups.
Natural and Social Science (NSS)
NSS promotes diversity by offering a gender studies program and global black studies program (lots of public activities for each). To see a complete list of other programs, Lisa Jean Moore should be contacted for GND and Dana-ain Davis for GBS. For other questions, Suzanne Kessler, Dean of Natural and Social Science, should be contacted and she can be reached at 914-251-6602 or Suzanne.kessler@purchase.edu
NEUBERGER MUSEUM OF ART
All of public programs offered by the Neuberger Museum of Art promote diversity as they reach and serve a broad campus audience. Specifically, in Fall 2006 the Neuberger will present a performance and panel discussion related to the Crossing the BLVD exhibition on immigration.
For more information, please contact Elena Pellegrini, Public Programs, at ext. 6113 or elena.pellegrini@purchase.edu.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL SERVICES (COUNSELING)
The Office of Special Services promoted diversity by holding information sessions that were held during Orientation and at the Open House in the fall semester. The Office of Special Services has initiated programs to support students with disabilities during the school year. This office provides consultation on planning academic and personal adjustment for students at Purchase. They also offer assistance with accessing support of the appropriate agencies (VESID, Comission for the Blind). Furthermore, services such as residential accommodations and counseling are provided.
For more information please contact, Ronnie Mait at x6035.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Performing Arts Center offers a diverse program that attracts a diverse audience. The Performing Arts Center will launch a special program for our 07/08 season, starting in the Fall of 07, called “Africa And the African Diaspora; Traditions, Revolutions & Innovations.” This multi disciplinary year long celebration will combine performances from Africa and the African Diaspora with lectures, colloquiums, exhibitions involving campus departments, students, and faculty. Special community engagement activities will target the African American and Latino communities in Westchester.
For more information please contact, Brian McCurdy, Director: brian.mccurdy@purchase.edu
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / ATHLETICS
The Physical Education/Athletics Department promotes diversity implementing the following activities:
• Men’s Basketball Scrimmage with Men’s team from Israel (educational/cultural exchange program with the Israel at Heart Program)
For more information, please contact Ernie Palmieri, Director of the Center for Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, at ext. 6537.
PSGA / General Programming
Historically, the PSGA General Programming Coordinator most often used scheduling to book shows and music-based events. Almost all of the shows booked for this semester feature at least one campus or alumni act.
Last semester, the committee began to discuss alternative events - ie the Brainfreeze and Tummy Ache Ice Cream Eating Competition set for 2/23 at the Dining Hall, the First Annual Beard and Moustache Competition which will happen later this semester, and an Outdoor Games Festival. Every club in CoCOaS (Council of Clubs, Organizations, and Services), has been contacted in an effort to have diverse club representatives compete against each other as well as RA's/CA's, PSGA Senators, and PSGA Executives. They hope to have contestants from all over the map for this ice cream eating competition and the Outdoor Games Fest especially.
For more information, contact Alex.Malamy@purchase.edu.
PURCHASE COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
The Purchase College Association (PCA) offers food service operations related to diversity. They have many theme nights that support and educate different ethnic groups. The PCA also works with the town of Portchester to create and link community opportunities to the college. For example, they promote events designed to help food service workers become new homeowners in Portchester.
For more information contact William Guerrero, Executive Director of Purchase College Association, Inc. at x6962.
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOLS & COLLEGES
The Regional Partnerships of Schools and Colleges have three programs, Great Potential, Upward Bound, and STEP that serve highly diverse students. All three programs assist and guide students through the admissions process who want to seek admission to Purchase College. Upon admission, students are mentored to help them stay in school. Another way that Regional Partnerships promotes diversity is in its hiring practices. 66% of the fulltime staff is Black or Hispanic.
One program that is initiated to promote diversity is Great Potential, which takes steps to recruit Purchase College students from other Liberty Partnership sites throughout New York State. Also, a Hispanic Culture Day is scheduled for February 28, 2006.
For more information please contact, Mary Beth Anderson, Director, at extension 6873 or
Marybeth.Anderson@purchase.edu
THE SCHOOL OF ART + DESIGN
The School of Art + Design has specific national and international recruitment initiatives, marketing pieces, exhibition programming in the Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery, student exhibitions in the School’s alternative spaces and hallways, courses, such as Community Design, Cross-over, etc. all which promote diversity on campus. Such programming, including the exhibition, “Infobabble,” will be offered in the spring of 2007.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Perry, at ext. 6752.
SCHOOL OF LIBERAL STUDIES & CONTINUING EDUCATION
This department promotes diversity and awareness by two main categories, hiring and curriculum. When filling both administrative and faculty vacancies, hiring women and minorities is a priority. More data is available in the Affirmative Action office. This department works to include courses that incorporate diversity in the curriculum. Among such courses are:
• Search for Equity, Race, Class and Gender in America since 1945 (AHI3485.45)
• Middle Eastern Cultures: Text and Films (AHU3020.20)
• Shamanism (AHU3175.20)
• Tribal Arts of Africa and Oceania (AAR3165.20), ran Fall 2006
• Homesick: Women’s Memoirs from the Caribbean, Africa and the Far East (ALI3535.20)
Some new initiatives to promote diversity will be to hire faculty with diverse backgrounds and advertising via Affirmative Action email.
For more information please contact, Danielle D’Agosto, Director of Liberal Studies at extension 6507.
UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS
The Purchase College Chapter of the United University Professions (UUP), the union representing faculty and staff at Purchase College, supports all college efforts to promote diversity in its workforce as a matter of principle. They see a diverse workforce as a worthy end in itself, and have in the past informally lobbied the current Administration to hire competent people from a variety of religious, social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds to better reflect the diversity of our student body.
While they do not have any programs specifically devoted to promoting diversity on the Purchase campus, their Professional Development and Enrichment Programs for Faculty and Staff are effective to this end. These workshops and other offerings not only provide opportunities for people to expand their horizons professionally, but they also provide opportunities for the various constituencies on campus to mix and mingle, thereby encouraging a better sense of community among college employees overall. The activities are open to all members and are often opened up to other groups on campus as well. By bringing people together in these social situations, they attempt to break down the bureaucratic barriers that often keep people apart instead of working together for the greater good of Purchase students. Members can only benefit from these efforts to create a more inclusive atmosphere here at Purchase College.
UUP and the College Administration are working cooperatively to provide a Training Program for Supervisory Personnel. The goal of the program is to improve the general working environment for members here at Purchase.
The UUP at Purchase College is open to working together more formally with the College in its efforts to better diversify its workforce and they welcome suggestions. The College has made much progress in this area but UUP believes still more can be done and are willing to do their part in making Purchase a more inclusive community for all college employees and students alike.
Listed below are the programs for the Fall 2006 semester. (The activity schedule for Spring 2007 has not been setup at this time.)
• Health Workshop Series – Yoga with Nicole Stirbis
• Health Workshop Series – Pilates with Simona Cipriani
• UUP New Faculty Dinner
• Welcome Back General Mtg. & Luncheon (Open to all college employees)
• NYSUT Financial Building Blocks – Retirement Income Workshop
• CTS Workshop – Purchase Portals & Wikis
• Metropolitan life Retirement Workshop
• Faculty Grants & Awards workshop
• Political Advocacy Training
• General Meeting- With Special Guest, State Senator Nick Spano
• NYSUT Financial Building Blocks-Household Cashflow Workshop
• CTS Workshop- Advanced MS Outlook
• UUP Negotiations Team Meetings
• CTS BlackBoard Software Workshop
• Electronic Plagiarism- Policies, Detection, & Prevention
• Grant Proposal & Budget Development Workshop
• General Chapter Meeting – Special UUP Benefits Presentation by Doreen Bango
• CTS Powerpoint Workshop
• NYSUT Financial Building Blocks – Estate Planning Workshop
• CTS Workshop- Smart Classrooms
• Holiday Party General Meeting (Open to all college employees)
For more information, contact John Delate, Chapter President, at United.University.Professions@purchase.edu.
WOMEN’S STUDIES AND LESBIAN & GAY STUDIES PROGRAMS
The Women’s Studies and Lesbian and Gay Studies promote diversity by offering the following courses over the past three years:
• Intro to Lesbian and Gay Studies
• Intro to Women’s Studies
• Citizens Living Under Islamic Laws
• Women in Developing Countries
• Birth and Death
• Sex, Politics, and Health
• Women’s Rights as Human Rights
• Women Cross-Culturally
• Feminist Theory
• Political Economy of Women
This department also offers the following to promote diversity:
• Mary Edwards Lecture
• Women’s History Film Series Spring ‘06
• Women’s Studies Potluck
The Women’s Studies and Lesbian Gay studies is planning to initiate from Fall Semester ’06 to Fall Semester ’07 the following activities to promote diversity:
Courses:
• Intro to Women’s Studies
• Intro to Lesbian and Gay Studies
• Citizens Living Under Islamic Laws
• Women in Developing Countries
• Birth and Death
• Sex, Politics, and Health
• Queer Cinema
Programming:
• Mary Edwards Lecture
• Transgender Health Care Lecture
For more information, please contact Jean Moore, Coordinator of Gender Studies and Associate Professor of Women’s Studies and Sociology, at ext. 6606.