Boston University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

The Howard Thurman Center is located in the George Sherman Student Union and works to build bridges between students in diverse cultural, social, and academic networks. The Center provides a comfortable space and innovative programs where students from diverse social networks can connect. Last year, the Center received more than 20,000 visits from students and other members of the BU and Boston-a rea communities who sought to expand their worldview. The Howard Thurman Center assists in the development, planning, and implementation of projects designed to build common ground within BU’s diverse student body. Projects include a Book Club and Tea Club, a Cultural Mentorship Program, the Culture Shock Blog, TEDxBU, and the Council for Global Citizenship. The Cultural Mentorship Program is dedicated to creating a rich and meaningful experience for incoming African American, Latino and Native American first-year students. Based on the Howard Thurman philosophy of common ground, first-year students are paired with returning students who share similar cultural, academic, and social interests. The Boston University Women’s MBA Association is a student-run organization that provides career guidance and support to women currently in the MBA program by providing access to professional women leaders, educating members about topics related to work-life balance, career advancement, and networking, and uniting men and women in addressing women-related issues in the workplace. Cohort Q is a student-run club for LGBT students that connects and supports LGBT students within the School of Management. Spectrum is Boston University’s Queer and Allied Student Group with a purpose of organizing cultural, social, and political events, as well as facilitating increased public awareness, tolerance, and support for the GLBTQA community. The University is committed to providing equal and integrated access for individuals with disabilities to all the academic, social, cultural, and recreational programs it offers. Disability Services provides services and support to ensure that students are able to access and participate in the opportunities available at Boston University.

The position for the Associate Provost for Faculty Development at Boston University was created in 2009 to support the recruitment, advancement and retention of an excellent and diverse faculty, to foster a supportive climate for faculty, and to help insure that all faculty members receive equitable treatment, regardless of gender, race, sexual preference, ethnicity, religion, or ability status. Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) formed in the fall of 2004 with the mission of ascertaining the needs of the female faculty in science and engineering disciplines within the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering at Boston University. WISE is a network of women whose goals include fostering a supportive research environment for women and men faculty members, providing networking and mentoring opportunities to women faculty members in science and engineering, providing opportunities for female graduate students in science and engineering to network and be mentored, speaking with a united voice about work climate concerns, and informing administrators at BU about best practices for recruiting and retaining faculty members.

The Boston University Equal Opportunity Office is primarily responsible for ensuring that the University’s active commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action is realized, faculty, staff, and students can work and study in an environment free of unlawful harassment and discrimination, and the University maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to equal opportunity and affirmative action. The Office coordinates equal opportunity activities and monitors adherence to equal opportunity and affirmative action policies and guidelines throughout the University.