A weekly summary of diversity and inclusion activities at Slippery Rock University

Diversity and Inclusion: http://www.sru.edu/president/Pages/DiversityandInclusion.aspx

Social Equity Office: http://rockpride.sru.edu
University calendar: http://calendar.sru.edu

Respect the rock will resume in the fall

OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DIABILITIES

OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Services through the Office for Students with Disabilities are available to any enrolled Slippery Rock University student having a documented disability. Appropriate accommodations are individually based upon identified need. For more information, stop in at 122 Bailey Library, call 724.738.4877, or connect to http://www.sru.edu/academics/enrollment/StudentDisabilities/Pages/ServicesforStudentswithDisabilities.aspx

WOMEN’S CENTER

WOMEN’S CENTER: The Women's Center of Slippery Rock University offers information, programming and advocacy for and about women. Our staff is dedicated to addressing social justice issues, including gender inequality and interpersonal violence. The center welcomes all students, staff and faculty to visit and participate in services and programs. For more information, stop in at 007E Strain Behavioral Science Building, call 724.738.2992, or connect to: http://www.sru.edu/studentlife/womenscenter/Pages/TheWomen%27sCenter.aspx

BRIDGE PROJECT: The Bridge Project is committed to the education of our community on issues of campus violence. We specifically address sexual assault/rape, dating violence and stalking. In addition to educational outreach advocacy services are also provided to survivors of violence. Services are free and confidential. For more information, stop in at 007E Strain Behavioral Science Building, call 724.738.2121, or connect to http://www.sru.edu/studentlife/womenscenter/bridgeproject/Pages/TheBridgeProject.aspx

PRESIDENT’S COMMISSIONS

DISABILITIES COMMISSION: The President’s Commission on Disabilities Issues seeks to create a campus environment and climate free of barriers and discrimination and to empower people with disabilities to be full participants in all facets of university life. The commission works toward an understanding and approval of disabilities within and among our administration, faculty, staff and students. Meetings are monthly. Karla Fonner, assistant director of the Women’s Center, is co-chair.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES COMMISSION: Patrick Beswick, associate director of residence life, is co-chair. Meetings are monthly during the semester.

RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY COMMISION: The President's Commission for Racial and Ethnic Diversity seeks to increase the number of people of color who choose to work/study at Slippery Rock University. The commission encourages their participation in all facets of university life by striving to nurture a campus climate that is free of discrimination, intolerance and bigotry. Meetings are the first Thursday of the month. Lorraine Stubbs, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement, is co-chair.

WOMEN’S COMMISSION: The President's Commission on the Status of Women leads as well as supports all efforts to develop a University community that provides a high quality academic experience in an environment that is not only open, caring, nurturing and personal, but also fair and respectful to women. Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month. Jennifer Sanftner, associate professor of psychology, and Traci Zillifro, assistant professor of physical education, are co-chairs.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLUB: The American Sign Language Club teaches sign language to promote deaf culture and to improve communication skills. Members also participate in fun and educational activities. Membership is open to everyone. Abbey Sawl, AMS6979@sru.edu, is the president, and Colleen Cooke, associate professor of parks and recreation, is the adviser.

BLACK ACTION SOCIETY (BAS): BAS goals are to foster a sense of identity for minority students in a majority academic environment, and to provide an opportunity and atmosphere that will evoke academic achievement, leadership development, vast cultural experience, and a common setting where students may freely exchange ideas and discuss pertinent social issues. The BAS will continue to strive to encourage and implore our members to foster better racial relations and cultural harmony within the University. Mariah Banks, mlb0149@sru.edu, is president, and Corrine Gibson, director of Multicultural Development, is the adviser.

BUILDING BRIDGES: Building Bridges promotes diversity and cultural awareness in all aspects of life to SRU students, faculty and staff through active engagements and discussions on social issues and ideas. Everyone is welcome to attend the open meetings every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Mycheal Lee, Mcl5497@sru.edu, is president, and Corrine Gibson, director of Multicultural Development, is the adviser.

FEMINIST MAJORITY LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE: The FMLA is an organization open to all SRU students to establish a broad constituency to work in pursuit of feminist ideals; social, political and economic equality for women and men; to study and take action on national, campus and local feminist issues and concerns; to provide leadership and career building opportunities for feminist students; to educate the University community about feminist issues, and to enhance the feminist community on campus. Kaitlyn Veiock, kav0567@sru.edu, is president, and Jodiann Solito, director of the Women’s Center, is the adviser.

INTERNATIONS CLUB: The purpose of this club is to develop and maintain cordial relationships between international, non-international students and the Slippery Rock University community. This organization also executes programs that entertain, enlighten and educate the American community about foreign cultures. The club meets Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. in Room 203, University Union. Membership fees are $5 per semester. Nayan Joyappa, nxj4105@sru.edu, is president and Genevieve Bordogna, international student adviser in the Office of International Services, is the adviser.

ITALIAN SOCIETY: The purpose of this club is to learn about Italian culture, learn to cook and speak words and phrases in Italian, watch Italian movies, meet people and network.

KOREAN CLUB: The Korean Club is a way for all members of the Slippery Rock community to learn about many aspects of the wonderful culture of Korea, the past as well as the present. Richard Audino is the primary contact, rla4935@sru.edu

MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS GROUP: There is an Active Minds chapter at SRU, focused on destigmatizing and heightening the awareness of mental illness. For more information, call Melissa Nard, assistant professor at the counseling center, at 724.738.2034 or check out the Web site at: http://www.sru.edu/studentlife/counseling/Pages/activeminds.aspx

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ADVANCMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP): NAACP is dedicated to the promotion of equality and uplifting all people. The organization engages in any activity that is intended to polish and develop members into bright, admirable leaders, as well as to ensure positive, just environments in which the students of SRU can flourish. Shatreece Johnson, SJJ0194@sru.edu, is president, and Michelle McCollin, associate professor of special education, is the adviser.

NATIONAL PAN HELLENIC COUNCIL (NPHC): The National Pan Hellenic Council is a union of the nine historically African American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. The NPHC was chartered May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University. These organizations come together to address issues of mutual interest and concerns as well as to implement programs, activities and service projects. The NPHC was chartered at Slippery Rock University in 2005 with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. These sororities and fraternity are still a part of the NPHC at Slippery Rock. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was added in Fall 2008. Alicia Bey is president, and Lorraine Stubbs, assistant director for the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, is the adviser.

JAPAN CLUB: The SRU Japan Club is an open club that meets multiple times a month to discuss and participate in activities related to Japan and its culture. Carrie Nocera is the primary contact, cen5042@sru.edu .

RESPECT TEAM: The mission of the RESPECT Team shall be to promote a civil environment for the welfare of Slippery Rock University and spread multicultural awareness throughout the campus and community through the basic tenets of RESPECT.

RockOUT: RockOUT at Slippery Rock University is for members of SRU's Diverse Community. RockOUT was created to provide an opportunity for personal growth and education regarding lifestyles and to extend an opportunity for social interaction among members of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community and others. RockOUT also provides support for concerned individuals regarding lifestyles and the group seeks to enhance the relationships between gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans- and other communities and the Slippery Rock University community. Ashley Ranck, anr2746@sru.edu, is president. Cindy LaCom, professor of English, is the adviser.

SISTER-TO-SISTER: Sister-to-Sister is an organization that is geared towards the empowerment of women of all cultures. The purpose is to empower women through positive influence and leadership. Meetings are at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in the Cultural Center. Amber Owens, alo6107@sru.edu, is president. Michelle McCollin, associate professor of special education, is the adviser.

SPANISH CLUB: The Spanish Club provides all students with an interest in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures an opportunity to meet others and enhance their Spanish speaking and diversity skills. Mike Kivitz, msk0026@sru.edu, is the primary contact.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF LATINOS/HISPANIC AND ALLIES (SOL): This organization of Latinos, Hispanics and allies is Slippery Rock University’s home to many students of Hispanic/Latino descent. SOL is also open to any student interested in the culture as well. The mission of SOL is to provide Latino/Hispanic students and allies an opportunity to support academic excellence, leadership, cultural diversity and cultural awareness in a common setting where all students may freely exchange ideas and discuss pertinent social issues. The Latino Student Organization will strive to encourage all students to foster better social relations and cultural harmony within the University. Madeleine Saldana, MRS2673@sru.edu, is president and Christine Pease-Hernandez, assistant professor of communications, is the adviser.

STUDENT UNION FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: SUMA is the Student Union for Minority Affairs. This is an organization that prides itself on being an all-inclusive organization on the campus of Slippery Rock University promoting campus unity and diversity. Unity is needed to bring all organizations together to work towards a common goal. SUMA is here to provide additional funding as well as offer guidance to umbrella organizations, but not to be mistaken for taking the voice of any individual organization. Anissa Rutledge, amr1739@sru.edu, is president, and Corrine Gibson, director of multicultural development, is the adviser.

RESPECT THE ROCK SUBMISSIONS:

Those with briefs related to upcoming diversity campus announcements, events, programs and activities may submit items for consideration via e-mail to: respect@sru.edu. All submissions must be received by noon the Monday prior to Friday’s distribution and must include what the event is, who is sponsoring it, where it will take place, when it will take place and a contact number for additional information.