Weber State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

WSU has a Multicultural Student Center. The Multicultural Student Center is committed to planning, developing and implementing services, programs and interventions that foster the learning and personal development of the various students served. The Multicultural Student Center promotes a strong campus sense of common community and aids students in building essential skills for independent critical thinking and self-determination through in and out of classroom experiences. Furthermore, through collaborative efforts with university and community partners, the Multicultural Student Center provides educational efforts to promote multicultural sensitivity, awareness, competency, and understanding. More information can be found at: http://www.weber.edu/multicultural

WSU also has an International Student Center. The International Student and Scholar Center advises and assists international students with their personal, cultural, and academic adjustment to WSU. An orientation program is provided for all new international students each semester. Advisement is available to assist students concerning immigration related questions and concerns. Information can be found at: http://www.weber.edu/sis/

Our institution is currently working to scale up existing programs and resources through the College Participation and Success Committee which is charged with increasing college participation and retention/graduation for underrepresented students who are low-income, first-generation to attend college, and ethnically-diverse. The objectives that follow from this charge are to (1) Explore effective strategies aimed at increasing the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students; (2) Monitor and assess the effectiveness of outreach and retention efforts using agreed upon data collection and evaluation methods; (3) Continue to refine efforts for better coordination of college access, transition and readiness for underrepresented students. (i.e. College Access and Transition subcommittee) and (4) Facilitate collaboration among entities involved in outreach and retention efforts geared towards underrepresented students.

WSU's institutional response policy is multi-layered and able to respond to and support those who have experience or witnessed a bias incident, act or discrimination or hate crime. A team is brought together through the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and the Dean of Students to address student related issues. For issues connected to faculty and staff, a team is pulled together through the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity. Both teams include participation from our Title IX and Cleary Coordinators.