Ball State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The Office of Institutional Diversity is not only committed to diversity programming for students; it also supports several faculty development programs that encourage faculty to explore the relevance of diversity in all classes as well. The Diversity Associates Program provides instructors and staff with the opportunity to execute a diversity-related curriculum development project of their own design. Projects are focused on one or more of the following areas: race, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, disability, gender, sexual identity, age, and/or religious viewpoints. Professors and staff may propose an individual project or may propose a collaborative project with a colleague. Expected outcomes are either (1) an IRB application, conference proposal, or article submission, (2) a plan for pedagogical innovation including a description of initial steps completed, (3) immersive learning application, (4) diversity dialogue workshop presentation, or (5) the development of an idea for a grant project or grant submission.

The multicultural organizations develop and sponsor cultural, educational, and social programming for their members and constituents of Ball State University to enhance the Campus Life experience. They celebrate diversity and provide cultural awareness for the entire campus community. Any Ball State student can join a multicultural organization regardless of race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

The university sponsors several multicultural organizations for underrepresented groups: Asian American Student Association, Black Student Association, Latino Student Union, Native American Student Association, and Spectrum.

There are several programs to assist with recruiting underrepresented minority groups sponsored by the Office of Admissions. One of those programs is: Dream Makers Day. Dream Makers Day is an all day event for about a dozen underrepresented students in the Muncie Community Schools and is sponsored by Office of the President. The day includes campus visits and training sessions at the Center for Leadership Development (CLD) located in Indianapolis, IN.

There is also an Excel Program for entering minority freshman sponsored by the Multicultural Center.

The Excel program consists of a four-day summer institute designed to address issues experienced by underrepresented minority students as they transition from high school to college. Excel students will also participate in structured activities throughout their entire freshman year.

Excel is open to new freshman students who have been admitted to Ball State University. It features workshops and sessions that prepare students for college and expose them to campus resources.

Should a bias incident occur at Ball State, the Bias Response Team is available to help anyone resolve the problem and assist in accessing the services needed. The team includes members from several offices within the Division of Student Affairs as well as members of Recreation Services and Ball State Faculty.

Members of the Bias Response Team provide support to students across campus when incidents of bias are reported. Team members provide targets of bias with a safe space to listen to concerns, help develop an action plan to address the incident or situation, and follow-up to track the progress being made in resolving the issue.