PSU Affirmative Action Office

The Diversity Education Services is an educational and support system within the Affirmative Action Office which:

• Provide programming services for all of the Colleges, Campuses,
• departments and units within the PSU System.

• Promotes the development of multicultural understanding and cross
• cultural competence.

• Develops and delivers a wide range of educational programming for
• faculty, staff and students, designed to promote understanding and
• support for diversity throughout the University.

• Serves as a forum for staff and supervisors to discuss conflict and
• helps them deal with problems when they occur.

• Provides assistance to managers, supervisors, and faculty on
• managing diversity issues.

• Focuses on understanding diversity among people with respect to
• ethnicity, age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, and other
• human differences.

THE “DIVERSITY EDUCATION” SERIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:

DIVERSITY IN ACTION: INCREASING AWARENESS
The sessions offered within this area are meant for employees who want to become more aware of the general dynamics of diversity.

Understanding and Valuing Diversity

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 008

This program is designed to be an introduction to what diversity means at the individual, group, and organizational level. Its purpose is to increase general awareness about the definition of diversity, fundamental diversity principles, and Penn State's support and efforts in diversity. This program will help participants to:
• Identify the dimensions of diversity
• Improve understanding of the impact of cultural messages and
• cultural programming
• Recognize the impacts of group membership
• Provide accurate information about Penn State's diversity efforts
• Identify ways that individuals can enhance and support diversity
• efforts

Sep. 17, 2008 Wed 9:00 - 11:30
Jan. 13, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Each offering meets for one session.

Location: The September offering will be held in 233 HUB - Robeson Center; the January offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Wisdom of the Ages: Applying Generational Concepts at Work

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 051

Four generations of people currently exist in today's workplace. This session highlights and illuminates the benefits and challenges that exist when people of various ages work together. Various styles of music will be used to illustrate the similarities and difference that people have when it comes to generational dynamics. This session will help participants to:
• Identify the four generations
• Explore and understand common characteristics of the four
• generations
• Recognize the impacts of generational influences on attitudes, values,
• and behaviors
• Develop more effective strategies for working with people of various
• ages

Each offering meets for one session.

Oct. 9, 2008 Thu 2:00 - 4:30
Feb. 11, 2009 Wed 9:00 - 11:30

Location: The October offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the February offering will be held in 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Different Abilities: Understanding Disability in the Workplace

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 052

This program focuses on the definition of disability as well as the attitudes and perceptions that exist in today's workplace. Key information will be shared about the factors which are considered in determining a disability as well as information about employee rights and responsibilities. PSU policies and procedures will also be shared.
This program will help participants to:
• Understand the definition and types of disability
• Identify attitudes and perceptions
• Increase awareness of employee and organizational rights,
• responsibilities, procedures, and support

Each offering meets for one session.

Nov. 6, 2008 Thu 9:00 - 11:30
Mar. 17, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Beyond Sexual Harassment: Identifying and Preventing Other Types of Harassment in the Workplace

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 069

In addition to sexual harassment, there are liability issues associated with harassment based on skin color, race, disability, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other characteristics protected by law. This program will help participants to better identify potential problem behaviors and implement strategies for effectively handling such behavior. Specifically, this class will:
• Define harassment
• Identify the various types of harassment
• Delineate the negative impacts of harassment
• Provide practical ways to address and prevent harassment

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 3, 2008 Wed 2:00 - 4:30
Apr. 14, 2009 Tue 9:00 - 11:30

Location: The December offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the April offering will be held in 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Sexual Harassment: Awareness and Prevention

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 006

This program provides basic guidelines for understanding and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. Information regarding the legal basis for sexual harassment as well as PSU policies and procedures will be discussed. Case studies are included for participants to assess, discuss, and identify resolutions for potential sexual harassment situations in higher education. This program will help participants to:
• Define sexual harassment
• Understand the legal and procedural process for sexual harassment
• situations
• Identify appropriate steps to be taken to help prevent, report, and
• resolve sexual harassment issues

Each offering meets for one session.

Aug. 21, 2008 Thu 2:00 - 4:30
Jan. 27, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The August offering will be held in 319 James M. Elliott Building; the January offering will be held in 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

Gender Identity: What's It All About?

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 070

Recently, Penn State revised its anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity. Since the addition of sexual orientation to the policy, many people have assumed that this covered all acts of discrimination and harassment against people who are transgender. While this may be the case, the University wanted to go a step further and make it clear that it is against Penn State policy to discriminate against people based specifically on gender identity, which is different from sexual orientation. This program provide an introduction to the concept of gender identity in an effort to clarify the difference between these two often misunderstood concepts. Specifically, participants will:
• Learn the meaning of gender identity and how it different from sexual
• orientation
• Identify the various ways that gender identity is expressed
• (Transexualism, etc.)
• Recognize the issues that transgender individuals contend with in
• employment and academic setting as well as how those issues impact
• others within these settings
• Identify individual and organizational strategies for working through
• various issues that arise in the workplace

Each offering meets for one session.

Sep. 23, 2008 Tue 2:00 - 4:30
Jan. 29, 2009 Thu 9:00 - 11:30

Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Sexual Orientation in the Workplace: Can We Talk Yet?

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 005

This program is designed to facilitate an open and respectful dialogue about a topic which is often difficult to discuss in our culture. Participants will be encouraged to explore their perceptions and beliefs about sexual orientation, to reflect on the origin of those perceptions, and to discuss how they influence our interactions with others. Specifically, the program will help participants to:
• Identify societal and individual prejudices related to sexual orientation
• (sometimes referred to as heterosexism).
• Gather accurate information about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
• transgender identities.
• Identify how attitudes about sexual orientation influence workplace
• climate.
• Develop strategies and skills for appropriately addressing issues of
• sexual orientation in the workplace.

Each offering meets for one session.

Oct. 21, 2008 Tue 9:00 - 11:30
Feb. 19, 2009 Thu 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Exploring the Three R's: Race, Reality, and Responsibility

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 053

This program begins to advance the dialogue about issues of race, racism, and oppression within our culture. The use of a 90 minute video (Crash) guides the discussion as participants are asked to openly examine issues of race, as well as the stereotypes that we often consciously and unconsciously act upon. This program will help participants to:
• Recognize and address "inhibitors" to understanding different races.
• Explore perceptions of responsibility and privilege.
• Identify individual strategies for reducing racial and ethnic bias.

Prerequisite(s): Understanding and Valuing Diversity

Each offering meets for one session.

Nov. 18, 2008 Tue 2:00 - 4:30
Mar. 26, 2009 Thu 9:00 - 11:30

Location: The November offering will be held in 233 HUB - Robeson Center; the March offering will be held in 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Global Diversity: Developing Intercultural Awareness and Acceptance

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 042

This program is designed to address the realities of living and working in an increasingly global society where understanding other cultures is often an essential component of organizational success. Participants are encouraged to explore their feelings and perceptions about non-U.S. cultures in an effort to develop effective strategies to promote intercultural awareness and acceptance. Specifically, participants in this program will:
• Gather accurate information about other cultures.
• Examine issues associated with acclimating to life in the United
• States.
• Develop strategies to work more effectively with those whose
• cultures are different from their own.

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 18, 2008 Thu 2:00 - 4:30
May 6, 2009 Wed 9:00 - 11:30

Location: 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Racial Identity: Surprise, We All Have One

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 045

With all of the talk about issues of race, we rarely dig beneath the surface to explore how one's racial identity is actually shaped. Moreover, we often assume that only those from minority backgrounds have a specific racial identity. This program provides a unique opportunity to explore past and present thinking on racial identity from the perspective of Whites and people of color alike. Participants in this session will be encouraged to discuss these various perspectives as they examine how our racial identity is formed. The session will allow participants to:
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Racial Identity Theory.
• Gain a greater awareness of how one's racial identity affects
• interactions within groups and between groups.
• Discuss the personal and professional impact of these interactions.

Prerequisite(s): Understanding and Valuing Diversity

Each offering meets for one session.

Oct. 15, 2008 Wed 9:00 - 11:30
Apr. 23, 2009 Thu 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Freedom of Speech: Rights and Duties

Ken Lehrman
Cost: None DIV 055

This program will introduce and provide information about the First Amendment. In addition, issues of free speech will be reviewed and discussed as it applies to working within an institution of higher education. This session will help participants to:
• Learn more about the rights and duties associated with the First
• Amendment
• Discuss how free speech and civility are related in the expression of
• ideas
• Explore situations that reveal the complexities of the First Amendment

Each offering meets for one session.

Nov. 12, 2008 Wed 2:00 - 4:30
Apr. 8, 2009 Wed 9:00 - 11:30

Location: 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Life After Recruitment: Successfully Retaining a Diverse Faculty and Staff Population

New Program

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 071

Organizations work hard to actively recruit minorities and women in order to reflect the diversity within our increasingly global society. While these efforts may indeed be successful, without attending to what happens on a day-to-day basis in these diverse workplaces, we run the risk of seeing a revolving door of new hires that soon leave their positions because they don't feel valued and respected once they arrive. This program is designed to explore issues of retention and to offer strategies that have proven to be effective in a diverse workforce. Specifically, session participants will:
• Identify specific issues that need to be addressed in order to
• effectively retain employees from underrepresented groups
• Examine the impact of organizational policies and practices that result
• in workplaces that exclude and/or devalue minorities and women
• Discuss specific retention strategies that are likely to promote
• diversity and inclusion within an organization

Each offering meets for one session.

Aug. 7, 2008 Thu 9:00 - 11:30
Jan. 12, 2009 Mon 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The August offering will be held in 319 James M. Elliott Building; the January offering will be held in 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

DIVERSITY IN ACTION: IMPROVING SKILLS
The programs offered within this area have been developed for participants who have a general understanding of diversity and want to improve their skills and professional effectiveness.

How to Assist an Employee Who Might Need an Accommodation

Bill Ritzman
Cost: None DIV 050

This interactive program is specifically designed to focus on the "nuts and bolts" of implementing the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This program will help participants to:
• Conduct effective and legal pre-employment inquiries
• Effectively resolve situations where performance issues and disability
• intersect
• Effectively implement the Reasonable Accommodation Process

Each offering meets for one session.

Sep. 10, 2008 Wed 9:00 - 11:30
Jan. 21, 2009 Wed 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The September offering will be held in 504 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the January offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Climate Control: Promoting Mutual Respect in the Workplace

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 056

This program is designed to address the many ways in which workplace climates either promote organizational success or contribute to decreases in both morale and productivity. Participants will be expected to individually assess how their own actions and attitudes impact this process, while working with others to develop strategies aimed at improving the workplace climate in general. This program will help participants to:
• Recognize how specific behaviors serve as barriers to organizational
• goals.
• Identify specific warning signs that signal the need for organizational
• change.
• Identify effective strategies to address issues that arise in a way that
• promotes mutual respect and support.

Each offering meets for one session.

Nov. 20, 2008 Thu 9:00 - 11:30
Mar. 24, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The November offering will be held in 504 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the March offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Working Toward Cultural Competency: The Final Frontier

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 057

While recognizing that diversity exists is a critical component of successful work environments, achieving cultural competence within an organization can be thought of as the final frontier in customer service provision. Developing a systematic set of attitudes, behaviors, and policies in order to work more effectively in cross-cultural situations necessarily requires continuous assessment of current practices and learning new patterns of behavior. This program is designed to provide participants with an overview of the notion of cultural competence and have them examine the ways that this particular concept can be applied within institutions of higher education. Specifically, this session will help participants to:
• Develop a clear understanding of the concept of cultural competence.
• Discuss ways that particular practices may inhibit the development of
• cultural competence in the workplace.
• Identify specific strategies for developing cultural competence within
• a university setting.

Prerequisite(s): Understanding and Valuing Diversity

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 10, 2008 Wed 2:00 - 4:30
Apr. 28, 2009 Tue 9:00 - 11:30

Location: The December offering will be held in 233 HUB - Robeson Center; the April offering will be held in 504 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Navigating Crossroads: Religion and Culture in the Workplace

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 058

Despite the widespread belief that some topics should never be discussed in the workplace, the reality is that we spend a great deal of our time at work and sensitive issues often arise even as we attempt to adhere to such a norm. This program begins to address issues workers often face when religious or cultural beliefs/practices intersect with workplace policies. Trying to navigate such situations can leave some workers feeling devalued and frustrated, while employers may feel that their hands are tied given the need to follow organizational policies. Session participants will be encouraged to openly discuss the issues that arise in this area for both workers and employers and explore various ways to address them. Specifically, this program will help participants to:
• Identify particular areas where religious/cultural beliefs may conflict
• with workplace policies and procedures.
• Discuss the impact of these types of conflicts on individuals and
• teams.
• Identify appropriate strategies designed to address these issues in a
• way that promotes mutual support and respect.

Prerequisite(s): Understanding and Valuing Diversity

Each offering meets for one session.

Sep. 29, 2008 Mon 2:00 - 4:30
Feb. 9, 2009 Mon 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY
The sessions offered in this section are designed for advanced work in improving knowledge and skills within specific content areas. These are not introductory level classes.

What Managers Need to Know to Prevent and Resolve Sexual Harassment Issues

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 048

This program is designed for individuals with supervisory or management responsibilities. Basic information about the legal and procedural basis of sexual harassment will be covered. Specifically, the role of the supervisor will be addressed in preventing and resolving issues related to sexual harassment. This session will help to:
• Describe the issues of liability related to sexual harassment situations
• Identify the responsibility of supervisors and managers in preventing
• and handling sexual harassment situations
• Define appropriate supervisory actions when allegations of sexual
• harassment surface

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 8, 2008 Mon 2:00 - 4:30
Apr. 6, 2009 Mon 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

Follow the Leader: Leading a Diverse Workforce

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 059

This session is designed for administrators, managers, and supervisors in the examination of the multidimensional role of the leader in today's diverse workforce. Case studies will be used to assess, examine, and resolve complex issues of managing diverse teams. In this session, participants will:
• Identify the depth and breadth of leadership responsibility
• Examine the impact and influence of leaders' roles and responsibilities
• Identify and learn strategies and skills for effective diversity
• leadership

Each offering meets for one session.

Sep. 25, 2008 Thu 2:00 - 4:30
Jan. 8, 2009 Thu 9:00 - 11:30

Location: 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

Retaliation: What Managers Need to Know about Retaliation Claims

Ken Lehrman
Cost: None DIV 060

This program is designed to provide useful information that can assist managers when supervising a unit after a claim of discrimination has been files. The purpose is to increase awareness of retaliation issues and to provide guidance that will allow a manager to supervise effectively. The program will:
• Explain the elements of a retaliation claim
• Define "protected activity"
• Identify the types of "adverse action" that may constitute retaliation
• Discuss legitimate defenses to claims of retaliation
• Offer strategies for preventing successful retaliation claims while
• supervising effectively

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 16, 2008 Tue 9:00 - 11:30
May 19, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The December offering will be held in 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the May offering will be held in 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

Putting Action into Affirmative Action

Ken Lehrman
Cost: None DIV 061

This program is designed to inform managers and supervisors with hiring responsibilities regarding the University's legal obligations and limitations as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The overall objective is to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance Penn State's commitment to affirmative action and to achieve unit goals under the Framework to Foster Diversity. The program will help participants to:
• Understand unit goals and timetables as set out in the University's
• Affirmative Action Plan
• Adopt and adapt "best practices" for recruitment, hiring, and retention
• of a diverse workforce
• Understand the current legal environment for conducting searches for
• new employees

Each offering meets for one session.

Sep. 11, 2008 Thu 9:00 - 11:30
Jan. 6, 2009 Tue 2:00 - 4:30

Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

How to Avoid Discrimination and Harassment Complaints: Effective Intervention Techniques

Andrea Commaker
Cost: None DIV 049

Most discrimination complaints begin as occasional or subtle behaviors and interactions. Identifying the early signs of problems may prevent a discrimination complaint. Supervisory responsibilities include creating a positive office environment that discourages discrimination. This practical, skill-based session will help participants to:
• Recognize the impact of supervisor behavior and biases
• Prevent and resolve discrimination issues
• Understand how to be proactive to ensure equal opportunity and build
• trust
• Identify illegal discrimination and the legal obligations and liabilities
• Understand employee rights and resources as well as the process of
• filing a discrimination complaint

Each offering meets for one session.

Oct. 8, 2008 Wed 9:00 - 11:30
Feb. 24, 2009 Tue 9:00 - 11:30

Location: 504 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building

TOP

LIVING THE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK
Do you serve on your unit's diversity/climate team? If so, you are charged with the task of implementing your unit's diversity strategic plan. This session is designed to help teams "live" the Framework to Foster Diversity. The Affirmative Action Office seeks to partner with University units to assist and support the effective implementation of unit-specific diversity goals and objectives. Facilitative and support services are available to specific units upon request.

White Identity: Being a Majority on a Majority Campus

Cost: None DIV 067

This session is designed for participants who identify themselves as being white. A facilitated discussion approach will be used in which participants can identify, discuss, and share their experiences of race as well as to learn more about the process of identity development. This session will help participants to:
• Openly discuss issues related to their race
• Identify individual, group, and societal level impacts of being white in
• the 21st century
• Increase awareness and acceptance of the impacts of "whiteness" in
• today's world
• Address the inherent influences of power and privilege associated
• with being white

Each offering meets for one session.

Prerequisite(s): Exploring the Three Rs': Race, Reality, and Responsibility

Schedule: Please check HRDC web site, www.ohr.psu.edu/hrdc/programs.cfm or the HRDC monthly calendar for up-to-date scheduling of this course. I

TOP

In These Shoes: Being a Minority on a Majority Campus

Suzanne Adair
Cost: None DIV 068

This session is specifically geared toward minority group members who work and live within the Penn State community. It is designed to provide a safe space for participants to openly discuss the opportunities and challenges that are unique to their experience. This program will allow participants to:
• Discuss their personal and professional experiences with others who
• may have similar experiences.
• Share useful strategies for acclimation to the PSU community.
• Gather information on particular networks or resources within the
• community.

Each offering meets for one session.

Dec. 4, 2008 Thu 9:00 - 11:30
May 27, 2009 Wed 2:00 - 4:30

Location: The December offering will be held in 324 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building; the May offering will be held in 431 James M. Elliott Building

TOP

WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE OFFERED?
The Diversity Education Services provides assistance to managers, supervisors and faculty on diversity related issues, needs assessments, information and consultation for diversity teams, and diversity resources.

The Diversity Education Services also sponsors a new minority employee reception at the beginning of the year. This provides new employees an opportunity to get to know and network with key administrators, deans, faculty and other employees. The Diversity Education Services also offer on-going support/mentoring services to assist employees understand and succeed in the University’s organizational culture.

To schedule The Diversity Education programs marketed in the HRDC catalog, visit the HRDC on-line registration web site.

TOP