June 7, 2002
Contact: Bob Anderson
(805) 756-1511
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Housing and Residential Life Department Wins Cal Poly Diversity Award
Cal Poly's Housing and Residential Life department
has won the university's sixth annual President's Diversity Award for
integrating the concept of diversity into its programs at all levels.
"Housing and Residential Life has made diversity an integral part of
its hiring, its employee training, educational programs for students
and the publications it produces," said Cal Poly President Warren J.
Baker in announcing the selection.
"Its policies create an environment in which all students and employees --
regardless
of race, religion, ethnic background, physical abilities, sexual orientation or
other
factors -- are valued, can feel part of our community and are
encouraged to produce their best work.
"Housing and Residential Life deserves recognition for adopting policy,
a philosophy and core values that support the many dimensions of
diversity," Baker added.
The annual President's Diversity Award recognizes campus units that
have "exhibited commitment to the value of diversity." The award
includes $1,000 to augment the winning unit's budget for one year.
The Diversity Award selection committee cited a long list of ways the
department shows its commitment to diversity. Among those, it noted
the department's effort to attract and retain a staff that reflects the
rich diversity of the state's populace and commended the unit for
sending its student resident advisors (who live in the residence halls)
to a class in organizational leadership that emphasizes respect,
understanding and support for diversity.
The committee also noted the department's efforts in creating
awareness, developing multicultural programs and maintaining a Resource
Center to provide photos and other materials that reinforce diversity.
The department's "Respect" symbol, posted in the residence halls,
promotes respect for self, community and differences and encourages
"demonstrating respect through serving as an ally."
At a recent ceremony, Associate Director of Housing Carole Schaffer
accepted the award on behalf of Housing and Residential Life.
The award committee, chaired by Dean of Liberal Arts Harry Hellenbrand,
received 13 nominations this year, the most ever. Besides recommending
Housing and Residential Life for the President's Diversity Award, it
recommended several special mentions:
· Dean of Science and Mathematics Phil Bailey for his successful
effort to diversify hiring in that college and for his work in student
recruitment and retention. Bailey "has been one of the most tireless
champions of diversity on campus for many years," the committee said.
· The campus's Cultural Awareness Committee for its programming.
· The Black Faculty and Staff Association for its work over the
years in mentoring.
· The Multicultural Agriculture Program and the Latinos in
Agriculture for continued achievements in outreach and retention.
· The MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement)
Agricultural Initiative, for involving parents in their students'
projects.
More information about diversity at Cal Poly is available on the
campus's diversity Web site:
www.academics.calpoly.edu/diversity/index.htm.
- 30 -
