Pennsylvania State University
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Commission for Women: http://www.equity.psu.edu/cfw/
-Identifies areas of concern for the women faculty, exempt and non-exempt staff, technical service and administrative, as well as graduate and undergraduate students of Penn State. It is a forum for exchanging ideas that can translate into improved practices to support women at Penn State. The President appoints the members of the commission as an advisory group to recommend policies and programs to enhance the University's working and learning environments

Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity: http://www.equity.psu.edu/cored/ The Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity (CORED) was appointed in 1989 as a University-wide advisory body to the President of Penn State in matters relating to racial and ethnic diversity. CORED also serves as a resource for all University departments and individuals seeking to improve Penn State's climate for diversity. The Commission is dedicated to enhancing the University's climate for diversity at all its locations in the Commonwealth.

Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity: http://www.equity.psu.edu/clgbte/ Created in 1991, the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity is an advisory group to the President. The purpose of the Commission is to improve the climate for diversity within Penn State and specifically to address issues affecting the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the University community.

Equal Opportunity Planning Committee: http://www.equity.psu.edu/eopc/ Formed in 1983, the mission of the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee (EOPC) is to promote greater equity for historically underrepresented groups within the University and/or those groups that have been historical targets of discrimination. The primary task of EOPC is overseeing the allocation of institutional funding to Penn State units for developing and implementing programs and activities intended to advance the diversity mission of the University. Funding from EOPC is intended to provide seed money for innovative pilot programs and existing initiatives which create and support a climate of equity throughout Penn State. Programs funded initially by EOPC that prove to be successful should, in time, become part of a unit's regular operating budget or obtain support through external funding sources. EOPC will fund ongoing projects in decreasing increments for a period not to exceed five years. After five years, EOPC will not fund projects even if program support has not shifted to the unit or external sources.

Disability Advisory Group:
Established in 2007, assists in supporting the full inclusion and participation of faculty, staff, and students with disabilities within the University community. Membership includes representatives from the Office for Disability Services, Affirmative Action Office, Office of Human Resources, faculty, staff and students at University Park and campuses.

Administrative Council on Multicultural Affairs:
The Administrative Council on Multicultural Affairs is a long-standing group convened by the Vice Provost for Educational Equity (Chief Diversity Officer) and consisting of the multicultural officer from each college as well as representatives from Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Educational Equity, the Honors College, recruitment centers, the Career Center, Student Aid, Multicultural Resource Center, Women in Sciences and Engineering Institute (WISE) and Penn State Campuses other than University Park.

Campus Environment Team, University Park:
One long-standing advisory body, which was formed in 1987, is the Campus Environment Team (CET). This group, which is comprised of high-ranking staff representing various offices including Educational Equity, Public Relations, Affirmative Action, Student Affairs, University Police, Undergraduate Education and Human Resources that works to address diversity issues, acts of intolerance, and related issues. The team was charged initially with designing and implementing university-level responses to acts of intolerance. Over time the role of CET has evolved to one of continuous monitoring of problematic aspects of the University climate (related and unrelated to diversity initiatives) through weekly meetings. The goal is to anticipate issues and help create a more dynamic educational environment. Occasionally, CET has undertaken proactive efforts to raise awareness and to communicate important University values. In addition to the University Park Campus Environment Team, several campuses also have a formal Environment Team or Response Team in place.

University Faculty Senate, Standing Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment: http://www.senate.psu.edu/about_senate/committees/eece/eece.html The Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment, in conjunction with other Senate Committees and other bodies outside of the University Faculty Senate (e.g., Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity), will recommend policy and advise the University on activities to improve the campus environment and educational equity across the entire University at all of its campuses. The Committee will initiate joint explorations and investigations with other Senate standing committees to ensure diversity and equity issues are integrated throughout Senate deliberations. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. The purview of the Committee shall include, but not be limited to recruitment efforts, admissions policy, housing practices, curriculum review and development, graduation demographics, student life issues and outreach as they relate to matters of equity and diversity. The Committee will not only participate in the current strategic planning activities for the University, but will also develop and maintain an action plan for the University Faculty Senate specifically addressing the challenges as outlined in the University’s diversity strategic plans. The committee shall report regularly to the Senate.

Membership lists for the Commissions are available on their respective Web sites. Each has approximately 25 to 35 full members and anywhere from a dozen to over a hundred affiliates. See above description for affiliations. 2010-11 Chairs:
•CFW: Karin Foley, Associate Dean, Eberly College of Science, Penn State University Park
•CORED: Theresa Bonk, Director of Student Affairs, Penn State New Kensington; and Moses Davis, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Penn State University Park
•CLGBTE: Matthew Rupert, Academic Advisor, Penn State World Campus

Membership of ACMA and CET are not made public; both groups are convened by the Vice Provost for Educational Equity (Chief Diversity Officer). See above description for affiliations.

Membership of the Disability Advisory group is also not public. The group is convened by the Director of the Office for Disability Services, William J. Welsh.

Membership for the University Faculty Senate EECE committee is available on the Web site. See above description for affiliations. 2010-11 Chair: Robin Bower, Associate Professor of Spanish, Department of the Liberal Arts, Penn State Beaver.

Diversity is an integral part of the University's strategic planning process through the document, A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2010-15.

Created in July 1990, the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity was originally charged to foster diversity at Penn State. In 2001 the mission expanded to support educational access for targeted groups of low-income, potential first-generation college students both here at Penn State and at sites throughout the state.

Beyond the University, in targeted high schools and counties, the office helps low-income youth and adults to overcome the social, cultural, and educational barriers to success in higher education. Within the University, the office supports and evaluates the many diversity initiatives and serves as an advocate for a range of populations. These include historically underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities; persons with disabilities; persons from low-income families who would be the first generation to college; veterans; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons; and women.

Offices in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity include:

Central Services
Student Services

Additionally, each Penn State academic college employs a diversity officer who is involved in the college’s diversity efforts. Many of the diversity officers are at the cabinet level. Information on each college’s diversity office can be found on their respective Web site, which can be accessed through http://www.psu.edu/ur/cmpcoll.html

The Vice Provost for Educational Equity position was established in 1989. The vice provost is responsible for leading the implementation of the University’s strategic plan for diversity, A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State; overseeing all aspects of the offices comprising the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity (see above); serving as an ex-officio member of the Commission for Women, Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity, and Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity; convening the Campus Environment Team and Administrative Council on Multicultural Affairs; and working closely with the University’s Provost, President, and Board of Trustees to identify and advance areas critical to Penn State’s diversity goals. The vice provost sits on the President’s Council, and the Academic Leadership Team to ensure that Diversity is a consideration in all major discussions.