Carnegie Mellon University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

Our goal within the university is to create an atmosphere that cultivates a sense of community while also embracing each student’s individuality. Students at Carnegie Mellon represent all fifty states and over forty-five nations. Needless to say, Carnegie Mellon students embody a wide array of backgrounds and cultures. An integral part of Carnegie Mellon experiences is the strength that we exemplify through the diversity of our students’ experiences. Our goal is to acknowledge and respect the attributes each student brings to the university because of his/her specific background, culture and individual interests. We encourage the array of student experiences to serve as a backdrop upon which to build a campus community. For more information on multicultural & diversity initiatives, visit www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/multicultural. Below are some examples of events and programming focus on diversity and support. These are examples taken from the large amount of programs and events that take place at the institutional, college and department levels and are not an exhaustive list. Note that all of these events and programs are open to faculty and staff as well as students. Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) The mission of the ICC is to (1) provide support to help nonnative English speakers (NNES) improve the language and cultural skills needed to succeed in their academic programs; (2) to help international teaching assistants (ITAs) and faculty develop the skills they need to provide effective instruction in the US; and (3) to help both the university and departments identify and respond to the changing needs of nonnative English speakers and international students. ICC services are available to Carnegie Mellon University students, staff and faculty. We offer training programs and services that help: • Students develop robust academic fluency in speaking, reading and writing. • Students better understand what is expected of them in the classroom, and how to take their place in the university community. • International faculty and TAs understand the system of higher education in the US, including the role of "teacher" in the US classroom. • International faculty and TAs develop and practice their teaching language. • Departments better assess the language skills of applicants and students. http://www.cmu.edu/icc/ Asian Heritage Month Asian Heritage Month is celebrated on campus during November and is a collaborative effort between student organizations and the Student Affairs office. The month normally features a host of cultural food festivals, dinner dialogues and performance events. This year we will mark the 4th Annual Asian Student Leadership Conference. Through the Asian Student Leadership Conference, multicultural organizations aim to cultivate understanding and knowledge of Asian and Asian-American issues. It will feature keynote lectures, alumni panels, late night entertainment and much more. Black History Month The month of February focuses on a celebration of Black History. A planning committee works together to generate an exciting and provocative schedule of events. Traditional programs include a Black Caucus Networking Reception, discussion series, keynote lectures, gallery shows, performances and workshops. Cèilidh Weekend: Homecoming, Family Weekend and International Festival 2013 will mark the universities third annual Cèilidh Weekend, a celebration for the entire CMU family, combining the traditions of Homecoming Weekend, International Festival and Family Weekend. Alumni, families, students, faculty and staff are all invited. For a complete schedule, visit www.cmu.edu/ceididh . Cèilidh [ka-le]: n. a Scottish Gaelic term meaning “visit,” used to describe a celebration with stories and tales, poems and ballads, music and dance. Cèilidhs were traditionally hosted in family and friends’ homes. Entering its 21st year, the International Festival is a vehicle for fostering cultural awareness and celebrating values, traditions and beliefs. Traditionally at International Festival, the Office of International Education features a Study Abroad Fair. Carnegie Mellon sent over 400 students abroad in the 2010-2011 academic year and the fair helps to further educate our students about the wide range of opportunities available. Community Collage The Community Collage is a presentation of students’ experiences, personal reflections and performance to present the diversity of the Carnegie Mellon community. The program introduces audience members to the diversity within our community, creates a shared experience, provides a foundation for dialogue, cross-cultural and cross-community interaction, encourages intellectual discussion about multicultural issues and makes a statement of respect and appreciation for cultural differences within our community. The program is presented as part of first year Orientation and in an abridged form for the university’s commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Crossing Cultures-Common Ground Crossing Cultures-Common Ground is an interactive programming framework designed to encourage community members to gain greater understanding of multiculturalism in the context of the campus and global communities. Crossing Cultures-Common Ground events seek to create forums for attendees to discover and establish common ground with one another and to challenge and redefine understanding of diverse perspectives and actions. It is comprised of foundation building workshops as well as intense engagement experiences offered by student organizations and university departments. Featured events normally happen the last Friday of each month at 12 noon. Diversity Town Meetings One or two town meetings discussing issues of diversity are periodically held each semester with rotating topics. Student organizations often co-sponsor the town meetings. Gandhi’s Birthday—Two Weeks of Peace The campus community celebrates the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi during the week of October 2nd with programs across the campus and in conjunction with local Pittsburgh organizations. This year featured programs relating to International Day of Peace and International Day of Non-Violence which is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrate and learn about Hispanic heritage on campus.Some of the highlights for the month include a Hispanic Networking Reception --“Conexiones de la Comunidad”, Noche Latina—late night event, discussion series, dance and music performances, lectures, films and much more. This celebration is organized in collaboration with the Carnegie Mellon Advising and Resource Center and various student & community organizations. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The campus community remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 21, 2013.The day’s events include a Carnegie Mellon State on Diversity address by President Jared Cohon, readings of creative works and presentations of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Awards, a Social Justice experience, the Community Conversation, a Candlelight Procession and an evening keynote address. For this campus celebration, the Division of Student Affairs sponsors a MLK Student Speaker during the fall semester to select an undergraduate and graduate student to represent our campus community at the evening program. MOSAIC The Mosaic Conference is Carnegie Mellon University’s annual gender issues conference held in the spring semester. It has expanded from its traditional focus on women’s issues to address the larger issue of gender, in response to the continual growth of the conference and the evolving needs of the campus community. MOSAIC provides an opportunity to promote gender equity and to open a forum for exploration and discussion of the role that gender plays in the lives, careers, and education of men and women as individuals, and in the larger scheme of culture, society, and government. Multicultural Resource Lending Library The Multicultural Resource Lending Library is in the Student Life office located in Morewood Gardens. Students, faculty and staff may check out a book for 30 days at a time, free of charge. The library is constantly expanding and all book suggestions and donations are welcome. Multicultural Presidents Council Presidents of multicultural student organizations meet monthly to expand dialogue between multicultural organizations, organize collaborative initiatives, learn about resources and discuss needs and interests. Multicultural Student Organization Late Night Event This annual student organization event highlights multicultural groups on campus. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about diversity opportunities on campus and how to get involved. This organizational fair normally takes place in mid-September. Native American Heritage Celebrate and learn about Native American Heritage on campus during the fall semester. In past years, this initiative featured an Annual Art Exhibition & Education Project in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board’s Native American Heritage Committee. This year we will feature a dessert networking reception and host a series of workshops and musical performances in collaboration with campus Spiritual & Meaning Making initiatives. Pride Month/Gaypril Pride Month is celebrated in October. It coincides with National Coming Out Day which is observed annually on October 11th. Carnegie Mellon celebrates Pride Month with a dance, discussions, social events and Out @ the Fence. During the spring semester April becomes Gaypril each year at Carnegie Mellon. Similar to Pride Month, events include discussions, keynotes, and social programs. Speak Your Mind: Diversity Discussion and Dinner The Speak Your Mind series encourages community members to discuss important issues of diversity in a comfortable and non-threatening atmosphere. The discussions are facilitated by an expert on the subject who begins the meeting with an informative introduction of the issue and then leads the discussion with directed questions and an open forum. Dinner is served at each discussion. Spiritual Development Month This Carnegie Mellon initiative was developed to focus attention on the importance and significance of engaging in knowing yourself. Throughout the month of November there are various programs and events highlighted by a campus-wide Thanksgiving celebration (scheduled for the Monday before Thanksgiving break.) Also of note are trips to various houses of worship, a special art gallery show, and various lectures. Women’s History Month Each March the campus community acknowledges and celebrates the ongoing contributions of women in society. Keynote lectures, programs, workshops and other events take place throughout the entire month. Athletics The Carnegie Mellon Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation positively impacts the evolving needs of society by teaching lifelong commitment to physical and intellectual well-being. Athletics values diversity and inclusion, as exemplified by offering opportunities and unique experiences for the campus community. Athletics at Carnegie Mellon offers several physical education and recreation classes from different cultures. Some of these include, MASALA BHANGRA An exercise routine that modernizes the folk dance of Bhangra by blending traditional Bhangra dance steps and the exhilaration of Bollywood. This unique dance mixes cardio with fun! WEST AFRICAN DANCE Experience the joy of African dance with Yamoussa Camara from Guinea, West Africa, former lead drummer and dancer with Les Ballet Africains. Participants will learn dances from Guinea, West Africa while getting an exellent workout. STUDENT MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS Carnegie Mellon has more than 50 multicultural student organizations. These organizations serve to engage students in multicultural activities, provide students with a link to their own cultures, and introduce the campus community to other cultures. Organizations are officially recognized by the Committee on Student Organizations (CoSO), which is the branch of Student Government in charge of recognizing student organizations. To be recognized by CoSO, a group must apply for recognition, demonstrating: 1. They have a clear mission statement 2. They have a constitution or set of by-laws, in which it is laid out that: a) they will not discriminate for membership on the basis of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, etc., and must also be open to students from all colleges within CMU b) they have a clear plan for transitioning leadership 3. There must be at least three contacts/officers (or at least two contacts/officers with a faculty or staff advisor); 4. As well as 8 additional members CoSo does not provide financial support to college-based organizations that are not CoSO recognized, as those organizations typically are supported by the college or department with which they are affiliated. 2011 - 2012 Multicultural Student Organizations ALLIES Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Alternative Break Amnesty International Arab Students Organization (ASO) Armenian Students Association Asian Students Association (ASA) Association for India’s Development (AID) Awareness of Roots in Chinese Culture (ARCC) Black Business Association (BBA) Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) Big Straw Bhangra in the Burgh Brazilian Student AssociationBUDAYA (Malaysian Students Organization) Chabad House Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) Chinese Student Association (CSA) CMU Bhangra Chak De CMU Kendo Club CMU Portuguese Association cmuOUT Colombia en Pittsburgh Deewane A Cappella Engineers without Borders Facilitating Opportunities for Refugee Growth (FORGE) Global China Connections Hellenic Student Association Hillel Jewish Students Association Hong Kong Students Association (HKSA) Impact Movement IndiaEdu Indian Graduate Students Association International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) International Free Stylers (iFS) International Students Union (ISU) Israel on Campus Japanese Student Association (JSA) Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority Korean Students Association (KSA) Korean United Presbyterian Community Latino/a Graduate Student Association Latin American Business Club (LABC) Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity Liberty in North Korea (LiNK ) Lunar Gala Mayur-Sasa (The South Asian Student Alliance) Middle Peace Minority Association for Pre-Health Students (MAPS) Multicultural Alliance formally known as HAPAs Muslim Student Association (MSA) National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) OM (Spiritual Organization for Hindus, Jains & Sikhs) OUT at Tepper Pakistani Students Association People to People International Persian Students Organization Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Pittsburgh Go AssociationRomanian Students Association Rumi Dialogue Club Russian House Saudi Student House Shaolin Kung Fu Club Shotokan Karate Club Singapore Students Association (SSA) SoHo (GLBT Resource Center) Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPICMACAY) Society of Women Engineers (SWE) South Asian Business Association (SABA) Spanish and Latin American Student Association (SALSA) SPIRIT Tanah (South Asian Dance Troupe) Tartans for Israel Taiwanese Scholars Society Taiwanese Students Association (TSA) Thai Students Association (SIAM) Tepper Women in Business Turkish Student Society Tzu Chi Student Organization Tzu Chi Student Organization Unite for Africa Vermillion Taiwanese Scholars Society Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) Women @ SCS Women’s Leadership Institute Yang Jia Taijiquan Young African Leaders Alliance A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups within the faculty: Women in Mathematics Prof. Kavita Ramanan started occasional luncheon discussions for Women in Mathematics last year for women faculty, post-docs, lecturers, and graduate students to discuss a wide range of issues of interest to women in the department. A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups within the staff: 1Carnegie Mellon Leadership Academy The Leadership Academy, a joint effort of the Tepper School and Human Resources, aims to prepare our talented and dedicated staff to take on positions of senior leadership to effectively guide the university into the future. The Leadership Academy is an outgrowth of the DAC Staff Working Group and a study conducted by them in 2007 showing that 70% of staff in higher level administrative positions were appointed from within the university. Carnegie Mellon seeks to have diversity at all staff levels and professional development is consistent with the university’s mission and diversity goals. The Leadership Academy is geared to staff in grades 61–65 (formerly referred to as grades 10–12) with demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to the future of Carnegie Mellon, and a strong drive to achieve greater levels of responsibility. 2The Lazarus Award The Barbara Lazarus Award is announced biannually at a ceremony in the late spring. This award honors an individual for making major contributions in support of the university’s efforts to create a supportive and nurturing campus environment for everyone. Past awardees are Barbara Lazarus (in memoriam); Indira Nair, vice provost for education; Susan Polansky, head, department of modern languages; Everett Tademy, assistant vice president for diversity and university ombudsman; and Sharon Burks, associate department head, Computer Science Department. The award is named in memory of Barbara Lazarus, former associate provost for academic affairs, who worked to give women and minorities equal access to the fields of engineering and science. Dr. Lazarus, who died on July 15, 2003, led the creation of the Undergraduate Research Initiative, now called the Undergraduate Research Office. The website URL where more information about the programs in each of the three categories is available : https://www.cmu.edu/diversity-guide/pdfs/2012-dac-report.pdf Barbara Smith Women’s Mentoring Program The purpose of the Barbara Smith Women's Mentoring Program (WMP) is to channel our diverse resources to promote the professional and personal goals of Carnegie Mellon women. To achieve these goals, we will establish career development opportunities, facilitate professional enrichment and advancement, and foster a supportive environment for women. The WMP program is designed to facilitate supportive relationships by matching individual women staff who are willing to act as mentors with those who wish to be mentored. Mentor relationships are expected to center on professional interests and aspirations, including but not limited to career advancement, educational opportunities and job related issues. Since 1994 the project has matched over 300 women with mentors. This program is named in honor of Barbara B. Smith, former Chief Human Resources Officer at Carnegie Mellon for 22 years before retiring in 2011. Barbara began this program to provide professional mentoring opportunities for the women at Carnegie Mellon. The WMP program is currently sponsored by Human Resources and run by several “seasoned” mentors in the program.

Note that all of the events and programs previously listed are open to faculty and staff as well as students.

Note that all of the events and programs previously listed are open to faculty and staff as well as students.