Diversity Goal: UPJ will foster an environment which actively celebrates and encourages diversity.
UPJ recognizes the importance of diversity in its campus environment and its academic programming. As UPJ matures in its response to people of diverse backgrounds, we will create a campus environment that more effectively nurtures tolerance, understanding, acceptance, respect, and inclusiveness. We will strive to continue to attract greater diversity to the UPJ community. In preparing our students to function in the global economy, we will provide opportunities for students to encounter, respond to, and learn from the wide variety of cultures to which they may be exposed in both domestic and international contexts.
Initiative 1: UPJ will work to generate a greater sensitivity to and a better understanding of diversity.
Objective 1.1: UPJ will assess the status of on-campus diversity. Such assessments will be used to guide future planning or diversity initiatives.
Objective 1.2: UPJ will promote diversity through its website and publications.
Objective 1. 3: UPJ will work to involve campus constituencies to help plan diversity activities.
Objective 1.4: UPJ will continue to support student diversity organizations and encourage the development of others. These groups will work with off-campus, diversity-based organizations in developing programs available to the UPJ and Greater Johnstown communities.
Objective 1.5: UPJ will continue to support a range of diversity programs such as films, stage performances, concerts, lectures, seminars, ethnic meals, and ethnic/culture-based theme weeks or days. As a component of the various venues, members of the UPJ community will be encouraged to lead discussions based on their knowledge and experience.
Objective 1.6: UPJ will continue to encourage faculty to include aspects of diversity in their teaching.
Initiative 2: UPJ will continue to recruit and strive to retain students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups.
Objective 2.1: UPJ will continue to emphasize the development of designated scholarships and other financial incentives specific to underrepresented groups.
Objective 2.2: UPJ will continue to target minority and underrepresented groups for recruitment.
Objective 2.3: UPJ will continue to enhance support services to better integrate underrepresented groups into the campus community.
Objective 2.4: UPJ will continue to address diversity issues in a positive manner in advertisements for faculty and staff positions.
Objective 2.5: UPJ will continue to enhance orientation activities for all new faculty and staff to facilitate transition to the UPJ environment, and will encourage division-specific mentoring programs which will address the unique and diverse needs of new faculty and staff.
Initiative 3: UPJ will prepare students to function in a diverse and dynamic workplace.
Objective 3.1: UPJ will survey alumni to obtain information about their experiences working in environments characterized by diversity.
Objective 3.2: UPJ will encourage students to take advantage of summer internship opportunities which allow them to experience workplace diversity.
Initiative 4: UPJ will prepare students to function in an international environment and globally connected and changing world.
Objective 4.1: UPJ will foster internationalism in and out of class.
Objective 4.2: UPJ will strive to expand participation in student exchange and study abroad programs.