University of South Florida St. Petersburg
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Issues of Diversity and Inclusive Community, whose members include administrators, faculty, staff, and student representatives from across the campus community, is an appointed body which will be advisory to the Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Our purpose is to work collaboratively to create a climate and sense of community within the University that is safe, affirming, and inviting for all administrators, faculty, staff and students. https://www.usfsp.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/mission-and-charge/ http://www.usf.edu/diversity/diversity-inclusion/index.aspx IN ADDITION - The University of South Florida System (USF System) is a diverse community that values and expects respect and fair treatment of all people. The USF System strives to provide a work and study environment for faculty, staff and students that is free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information, as provided by law. The USF System protects its faculty, staff, and students from discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, as well as gender identity and expression. The USF System is also committed to the employment and advancement of qualified veterans with disabilities and veterans protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended (VEVRAA). As part of the effort to maintain an environment that is comfortable for all people and to ensure consistency with state and federal laws, the USF System establishes this policy. FOUND HERE: http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-0-007.pdf

Students, staff, and faculty are strongly encouraged to report allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation covered under the University's Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Discrimination and Harassment Policy #0-007; Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment (Including Battery) Policy #0-004; and/or Disability and Accommodations (Public/Employees/Students) Policy #0-108. Delaying the immediate reporting of an allegation often hinders a proper investigation and can also unnecessarily subject the Complainant to continued discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. http://www.usf.edu/diversity/forms-policies/index.aspx

FOR STUDENTS: The University of South Florida Upward Bound Program (UBP) is a TRIO college-access program funded by the United States Department of Education. The goal of UBP is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education. USF UBP serves Hillsborough County high school students living in low-income households or households in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree (first-generation college students). Services also include instruction, tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, campus tours, and a college residential experience. Additionally, USF has a variety of Graduate Fellowships Available for Underrepresented Groups at USF-CMS Also, College Reach-Out Program (CROP) is a statewide pre-college program established in 1983 designed to increase the number of students who successfully enter and complete a postsecondary institution. The program's primary objective is to strengthen the educational motivation and preparation of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students in grades 7 through 12, representing various cultural backgrounds, who "otherwise would be unlikely to seek admission to a community college, state university or independent post secondary institution without special support and recruitment efforts." FOR STAFF/FACULTY: The University of South Florida- Council Advisory Board on Diversity & Inclusion (CADIC) was created in 2016 as a way of reaching out and recruiting underrepresented groups in fulfilling open positions at the University. CADIC council members help oversee all new hires and make recommendations based on the applicant pool and underrepresented groups. CADIC works with other Tampa Bay underrepresented entities towards recruiting applicants for open positions.

The SPECTRUM Mentor Program partners transfer and first year students with a student mentor based on common interests. Mentors help students acclimate to campus life at USF St. Petersburg. SPECTRUM mentors play an integral role in working with students during their first year of their college. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the campus culture, be introduced to co-curricular activities and receive assistance achieving academic and personal growth. Currently a similar program is not in place for faculty and staff.