University at Buffalo
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Currently, the university has several programs in place that serve as tools to support underrepresented groups. In 1967 Cora P. Maloney College (CPMC) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/) was established as a center for enhancing the academic achievement of students by increasing access and opportunity for underrepresented and disadvantaged students. The following CPMC programs are geared toward meeting the unique needs of the university’s diverse student body: • Daniel Acker Scholars Program (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/acker/index.php): Recruits underrepresented populations and provides financial support as well as academic mentoring during the scholars’ time at UB. • Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/ubstem/lsamp.php): A subset of the UB-STEM program which provides summer workshops, research seminars and faculty mentors to assists underrepresented groups from high school up until the procurement of their STEM field degree. • Student Support Services (SSS) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/sss/index.php): A grant program that enables students to work with mentors, have access to technological resources, tutoring, and graduate school preparation. • Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/cstep/index.php): Encourages the participation of underrepresented groups in science and technology by offering students the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about career fields through internships and research opportunities. • Access to College Excellence Program (ACE) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/ace/index.php): A transitional program designed for underrepresented freshmen and sophomore students to ensure that the students have a successful academic career at UB. • Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/eop/index.php): Assists struggling students who have limited college opportunities due to their educational or economic circumstances. This program grants students access to resources such as summer preparation, counseling, financial aid, and research opportunities. • Cora P. Maloney College Peer Mentorship Program (http://cpmc.buffalo.edu/pmp/index.php): Successful upperclassmen students aid incoming freshmen with adjusting to college life so that they can make the most of their college experience. In addition to strengthening academic and financial support of underrepresented populations, UB is taking the necessary steps to make the campus more welcoming and comfortable for underrepresented groups. The institution provides a wellness education services program (http://wellness.buffalo.edu/wes/lgbtqresources.php) that addresses the various needs of students on campus and provides supportive resources for the LGBTQ community as well as students with disabilities. The campus offers gender neutral housing to accommodate the needs of trans-gendered and transitioning students, as well as single stall restrooms on campus. Finally, The Intercultural & Diversity Center (IDC) is committed to offering high quality programs, events and activities that celebrate UB's diversity and educate our community on topics such as appreciating our commonalities and differences, the role identity plays in our lives and how to be an advocate. The IDC's mission is to support all students in their personal development, create a sense of belonging, celebrate diversity, and discuss issues that broaden a student's perspective. This is accomplished by: -Offering students various opportunities to engage in dialogue to develop a respect and appreciation for the different identities, backgrounds and cultures of UB students, staff and faculty. -Promoting an educational environment for students to gain leadership skills and build relationships with faculty, staff, students and community members. -Celebrating and promoting an environment of personal and academic growth for all students and specific mentoring programs for underrepresented students to gain experience, support and guidance for a successful college experience. -Collaborating among the IDC and other departments, students and student organizations on campus to enhance educational benefits for students.

Along with providing support services for students from underrepresented backgrounds, the university also has a discrimination and harassment policy and reporting system so that the institution can address incidents of bias or discrimination against its students, faculty, and staff. The university’s policy regarding bias and discrimination is available to the public via the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website (http://www.buffalo.edu/equity.html). The Discrimination and Harassment policy specifically states that the University at Buffalo opposes differential treatment of individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or military status. In the event that an individual should experience harassment or discrimination, Judicial Affairs & Student Advocacy (http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/judicial/) are responsible for enforcing campus policies and provides guidelines to the campus community concerning how one should proceed with reporting an incident. Under these guidelines, students are encouraged to contact university police for issues pertaining to physical confrontation and urged to contact the office of student affairs for all other incidents. In addition to UB’s discrimination policies and response strategies, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion also provides training sessions for unlawful harassment prevention. Within the last three years, Judicial Affairs & Student Advocacy has handled cases pertaining to students as well as staff. Penalties imposed upon individuals who violate the policy include: suspension, restraining orders, and exclusion from commencement exercises.

Also see: http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/idc/