Recruiting and hiring or enrolling minority faculty, staff and students are important initial steps toward building a diverse community but they are only the beginning.  Without comprehensive, on-going programs to make those persons feel valued and welcome, retention will always be a problem.  The following list features organizations, programs and events that promote diversity on the Slippery Rock University campus.

Grants

Slippery Rock University actively seeks grants to support programs promoting diversity and equity.  In 2000, the State System of Higher Education moved from a competitive social equity grant process to a program in which each University was invited to apply for a specific dollar amount to be used for social equity efforts best matching the institution's needs.  The University received $19,000 annually for the fiscal years 2000-01 and 2001-02.  The money was used for start-up costs for the Slippery Rock University Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Achievement and Human Development. 

Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Achievement and Human Development

The mission of the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Achievement and Human Development is to develop and produce programs and services aimed at identifying, promoting and assessing the values, best practices and experiences that result in students' individual growth, educational achievement and service to others.  Although the institute focuses on minority students, it is totally committed to all students, faculty and staff who wish to develop their human potential.  The Frederick Douglass Institute at Slippery Rock University is a Universitywide program that will advance multiculturalism and diversity throughout the University and promote the scholarship and intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass.  The Institute is a collaboration between the Offices of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.  The Offices of International Initiatives, Minority Student Affairs and Cultural Diversity and Academic Advisement serve as the institute's home.  The Douglass Institute focuses on mentoring and academic, psychological and professional support.

The President's Commission on the Status of Women at Slippery Rock University

The President's Commission on the Status of Women leads and supports efforts to develop a University community that provides a high quality academic experience in an environment that is open, caring, nurturing, fair and respectful to women.  The commission sponsors an annual reception for new women faculty and staff, "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" and "Women of Distinction" awards to recognize outstanding women faculty, students, staff and administrators.  It works to promote fair and equitable guidelines for evaluation, promotion and hiring, and strives to insure a safe campus environment. 

Membership includes faculty, students and staff.  Interested persons who are not on the commission may serve on sub-committees consisting of: assessment, membership, public relations, "Take Your Daughter to Work Day," campus climate, staff issues and "Women of Distinction Award." 

Other organizations, programs and events that promote diversity are:

Organizations/Committees/Task Forces

APSCUF Gender Issues Committee
Black Action Society
Gospel Choir
Latino Student Organization
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Allies
Project Team on Recruitment and Retention of Minority Faculty
Student Affairs Diversity Task Force
Women's Consortium
WOMYN

Programs

Brother to Brother
Building Bridges
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild 
Sister to Sister
SRU Community Alliance Clothesline Project (dealing with domestic violence)
Women of Distinction Award
Women's Studies Program 

Events

Black History Month
Fattah Graduate Recruitment Conference for Minority Students
International Dinner
Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration
Martin Luther King, Jr. Speech Contest
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
New Women Employees Reception
State System of Higher Education Women's Leadership Institute
Take Your Daughter to Work Day
The "Vagina Monologues"
Women's History Month
Women's Mentoring Dinner
Women's Studies Poetry/Prose Reading

Institutional Memberships

African American Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Black Conference in Higher Education
Pittsburgh Area College and University Diversity Advocacy Consortium