Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.16
Liaison Tony Gillund
Submission Date March 27, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Purdue University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Michael Gulich
Director of University Sustainability
University Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, affinity groups, academic support programs, or other programs in place to support underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups within the student body:

Purdue University has several departments that focus on supporting underrepresented students, past, present, and future. Some of these include:
-The Black Cultural Center provides purposeful, holistic, scholarly and co-curricular programming designed to enhance the understanding of the African American heritage. It enhances the academic, cultural and social development of the entire Purdue community. The center was established in 1969 as a place where the African American Experience in America could be explored, celebrated and shared. The nationally recognized center houses a library, computer lab, an art collection and the BCC ensembles. The performing ensembles include the Black Thought Collective, Black Voices of Inspiration, the Haraka Writers, Jahari Dance Troupe, and the New Directional Players. The BCC sponsors a Cultural Arts Series featuring prominent scholars and performing artists. Educational tours of the facility are also available for students and community members.

-The Diversity Resource Office (DRO) encourages, develops, administers, and assesses programs and activities that foster a climate celebrating the rich diversity of our university community. DRO, home of the DiversiKey Certificate Program and the L.E.A.D. Peer Mentor Program, offers training for diversity competencies in both the workplace and learning environments. Other diversity initiatives include the Connections Institute on Leadership and Diversity, Diversity in the Global Experience, the Intersections Student Diversity Conference, the annual Diversity Summit, and publication of the Religious, Ethnic, and Civic Observances Calendar.

-The Latino Cultural Center exists to provide the community awareness of the regional diversity of peoples, landscape, and cultures within the Latino Community. Students established the center in 2003 as a place for them to learn, share and support Latino/Latina Culture. The LCC seeks to enhance diversity and awareness through education and programming within its 17 Latino-based organizations; through its volunteer program - Embajadores; and within its facility. The LCC serves students, faculty/staff, community, and alumni.

-The LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) Advisory Board is a committee of faculty, staff, student leaders and community members that advises the Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion. The advisory board primarily focuses on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity with respect to campus climate and inclusion. The group held its inaugural meeting in December 2007.

-The National Science Foundation’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Indiana project is collaboration among eight universities in the state of Indiana. The goal of the project is to increase the quality and quantity of students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs. LSAMP has a long-term goal of increasing the number of students interested in, academically qualified for and matriculated into programs of graduate study in the STEM disciplines.

-The Native American Educational and Cultural Center represents the culmination of student, faculty, and administrative staff commitment to fostering a culturally diverse and intellectually inclusive campus environment. NAECC seeks to provide Native American students personal and professional enrichment opportunities in a culturally-appropriate fashion and to serve as a “second home” for current and prospective Native American students. Moreover, the NAECC’s intended inclusion of Native American tribal communities and non-Native Purdue students, faculty, and staff into campus educational, cultural, and research programs fosters an environment of mutual accountability and respect that is vital to crafting cross-cultural relationships and enhancing campus diversity.

-Science Bound is a partnership between Purdue University, the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), and the Indianapolis business community. The program was designed to help low income students prepare for careers in Engineering, Technology, Science, Agriculture, Math Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences. Student participants are invited to join the program at the end of their fifth grade. Science Bound program elements include after school workshops, parent programs, summer camps, and internships. IPS students who have maintained a B average and successfully completed Science Bound activities qualify for tuition once admitted to Purdue University. Upon admittance, Purdue provides a series of initiatives to ease the transition from high school to college and ongoing support activities to assist with the college experience.

-Purdue University China Center serves as the expert authority on China for the University, providing value-added information and expertise on Chinese culture, language, tourism, and scientific and business environments to academic programs, research project teams, and Indiana and Midwest businesses and communities.

Within the academic units there are additional programs and offices. A complete listing is located: https://diversity.purdue.edu/college.html


A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups within the faculty:

The Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff was conceptualized in fall 1970 and eventually organized in September 1974. The purpose of the caucus is to identify and act upon those issues which affect Black people at Purdue and the community; maintain effective and positive relationship between the University and its Black constituency; reinforce self-awareness among Black people by implementing programs and activities; gather and disseminate information about available talent, opportunities, and activities that will provide the University with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the Black experience; and carry out other activities of a charitable and educational nature to promote the welfare of Black faculty, staff, and students.

Purdue University Latino Faculty/Staff Association (LaFaSa) is an educational organization whose purpose is to be an advocate for the Latino issues in higher education, which also includes the educational welfare and advancement of the Latino community. The goals are to communicate interests, concerns, and awareness of Latinos/Latinas; assist in recruitment and retention of Latino/Latina faculty, staff, and students at Purdue University; foster the educational missions of the University and progress faculty and staff through the ranks; and enhance multicultural knowledge of Latinos/Latinas among faculty, staff, administration, and students of the Purdue and general community.

There are plans for a Native American as well as Asian American staff association.


A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups within the staff:

The Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff was conceptualized in fall 1970 and eventually organized in September 1974. The purpose of the caucus is to identify and act upon those issues which affect Black people at Purdue and the community; maintain effective and positive relationship between the University and its Black constituency; reinforce self-awareness among Black people by implementing programs and activities; gather and disseminate information about available talent, opportunities, and activities that will provide the University with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the Black experience; and carry out other activities of a charitable and educational nature to promote the welfare of Black faculty, staff, and students.

Purdue University Latino Faculty/Staff Association (LaFaSa) is an educational organization whose purpose is to be an advocate for the Latino issues in higher education, which also includes the educational welfare and advancement of the Latino community. The goals are to communicate interests, concerns, and awareness of Latinos/Latinas; assist in recruitment and retention of Latino/Latina faculty, staff, and students at Purdue University; foster the educational missions of the University and progress faculty and staff through the ranks; and enhance multicultural knowledge of Latinos/Latinas among faculty, staff, administration, and students of the Purdue and general community.

There are plans for a Native American as well as Asian American staff association.


The website URL where more information about the programs in each of the three categories is available :
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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