Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.81
Liaison Stephanie Del Rosario
Submission Date Sept. 11, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Fullerton
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Megan Moscol
Sustainability Programs Manager
Facilities Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs to support underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs sponsored by the institution to support underrepresented groups:

CSUF offers a variety of programs to facilitate the successful academic, professional and personal experience of underrepresented students. Selected examples include:

Support for Under-Represented Students in Student Affairs
Athletic Academic Services
The mission of Athletics Academic Services is to provide effective academic and life skills resources to assist student-athletes in reaching their academic goals. http://www.fullerton.edu/athleticacademic/
Disabled Student Services
The mission of the Office of Disabled Student Services at California State University, Fullerton is to increase access and retention for students with permanent and temporary disabilities by ensuring equitable treatment and opportunity in all aspects of campus life. The program acts as a catalyst and agent for compliance with Federal, State, and CSU laws, regulations, and policies mandating equal opportunity and access for persons with disabilities. Disabled Student Services provides co-curricular and academically-related services which empower students with disabilities to achieve academic and personal self-determination. http://www.fullerton.edu/DSS/

Educational Partnerships
Educational Partnerships actively seeks to positively impact the social tapestry of our community through established comprehensive educational programs that advance the talent of under-served students. We assist in the development of our students’ academic, social and personal aspirations to effectively navigate the educational pipeline. Our professional efforts provide comprehensive leadership, resources and networks through collaborative educational relationships between CSUF and school districts, universities, and community organizations. Programs listed below coordinated by Educational Partnerships include Chicana/o Resource Center, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and Talent Search. http://www.fullerton.edu/partnerships/programs.asp

International Education and Exchange
The Office of International Education & Exchange supports the Mission of the University and Student Affairs by advocating for and building a global perspective. As a collaborative and creative resource center for the campus and community, we strive to provide a welcoming environment for students, faculty and visitors transitioning between countries and cultures; to uphold the highest professional standards in an environment of mutual understanding and respect; and to empower students to reach their full educational and professional potential through participation in international and intercultural experiences. http://www.fullerton.edu/international/

Leadership & Multicultural Development Programs
The Dean of Students Office, Leadership and Multicultural Development Programs (LMDP) provides training opportunities and out-of-classroom experiences that encourage CSUF students to assess and develop the skills recommended for effective leadership and multicultural understanding. Our programs and services help students understand the emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, and vocational dimensions of wellness that are important for successful participation in student organizations and/or leadership. The department also serves as a resource to student leaders and cultural and Greek Life organizations by offering advisement and training on event planning, group development, and organizational management. http://webcert.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/lmdp/LMDP.htm

Multicultural Leadership Center
The mission of the Multicultural Leadership Center (MLC) is to develop leaders who will understand and embrace diversity. The MLC seeks to create learning environments that actively engage the campus community with in and out of classroom experiences through the education and celebration of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice. http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/mlc/index.htm

Student Academic Services
The Mission of Student Academic Services (SAS) is the integration and coordination of activities that enhance the goals of the University in the areas of student persistence, retention, and graduation. The Office of Student Academic Services coordinates the operation and performance of seven separate and distinct Student Affairs units: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Student Retention Services, Intensive Learning Experience (ILE), Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science (CASECS), Student Support Services (SSS), University Testing Services, the Student Diversity Program and Summer Bridge. Student Academic Services also coordinates Student Support Services Program, one of four TRIO programs at CSUF funded by the U.S. Department of Education to assist disadvantaged students in reaching their educational goals. SSS targets low income and first generation and disabled college students, and provides them with educational services to ensure that they graduate, and then continue their education at the post-secondary level. The objective of the program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of all participants and to foster an institutional climate that is supportive of underrepresented students. http://www.fullerton.edu/academicservices/

WoMen’s Center
The WoMen’s Center’s mission provides education for the campus and surrounding community on the status of women and men in society today; fosters an environment to increase knowledge of gender-constructed norms; and focuses on the elimination of stereotypes, including racial, gender, sexual orientation, age and socioeconomic status. Intellectual / emotional development, growth and support of the student body at CSUF are implicit in all of the center’s goals. http://www.fullerton.edu/womencenter/

Adult Re-entry Program
The Adult Reentry Center (ARC) at CSUF is dedicated to issues of the Adult Learner and the successful completion of his/her educational goals. The center’s mission provides support services to prospective students and current students 25 years of age or older who are returning to the college environment. The center serves as a resource to the CSUF community in providing an educational environment for adult learners’ success and retention. http://www.fullerton.edu/adultreentry/

Veterans Services
Veterans Student Services (VSS) assists veterans at CSUF in successfully transitioning and navigating the academic environment through guidance, support services and resources. Transitioning from military life to university life presents challenges and stressors not experienced by the general university population. VSS is committed to providing personalized services to veterans from orientation to graduation. http://www.fullerton.edu/veterans/

Cultural Welcome Events: At the start of the school year, several culturally-based, community welcome events are held to give students an opportunity to become familiar with available resources. These include academic and curricular support services provided by faculty and staff, as well as co-curricular involvement opportunities through student organizations. Welcome events include: the Lavender Welcome, Asian Pacific Islander Welcome, African American Welcome, and Bienvenida. The events are coordinated by the university’s Cultural Centers, student organizations, and/or the Multicultural Leadership Centers.
Cultural Recognition Ceremonies: Each year, the University hosts cultural recognition ceremonies. These events complement the University Commencement by adding a unique multicultural dimension that celebrates our diverse student population and honors our graduates and their families. Leadership for these ceremonies is provided by faculty and staff associations, student leaders, clubs and organizations, and cultural resource centers.

LGBT SafeSpace
The purpose of the LGBT SafeSpace Program is to increase awareness of LGBT issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and foster a campus climate that promotes the academic and personal success of LGBT persons. The role of the SafeSpace Ally includes:
-Listening openly, non-judgmentally, and with empathy;
-Providing support and resources (including on and off-campus referrals);
-Stressing that homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation is harmful to the campus community;
-Making oneself available and visible to connect with our LGBT students.
More information can be found at: http://asi.fullerton.edu/lgbtq/programming.asp

Chicana/o Resource Center
To provide a learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community that is inclusive and fosters the history, education, and culture of Chicanas/os and Latinos. Serve and expand the research needs of the university community through the Chicano research collection. Support the collaboration and creation of scholarly works between faculty and students. Support the advancement, recruitment, and retention of Chicana/o, and Latino students through collaborative efforts with other campus programs and departments. Support and facilitate dialogue on the Chicana & Chicano experience among students and across the university community. More information can be found at: http://fullerton.edu/crc/

McNair Scholars Program
This program encourages students to pursue graduate studies by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level. The McNair Scholars Program serves twenty-five students each year. All students participate in academic-year and summer activities until they graduate. Director: Mr. Gerald Bryant. http://www.fullerton.edu/mcnair/index.htm

Talent Search
The Educational Talent Search program is federally funded and designed to identify and assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The Educational Talent Search program provides students with year-round services such as: academic advising, career counseling, financial aid awareness and postsecondary planning and selection. The program’s central goal is to ensure that participants graduate from high school and continue on to a post-secondary institution of their choice. CSUF’s Educational Talent Search Program participants are selected from four high schools in the Anaheim Unified High School District: Anaheim, Katella, Magnolia and Savanna.
Guardian Scholars
CSUF's Guardian Scholars program is committed to supporting ambitious college-bound students exiting the foster care system. We provide a comprehensive program that contributes to the quality and depth of the student’s university experience. We serve as a resource for young adults by assisting them with the educational and interpersonal skills necessary to become self-supporting, community leaders, role models, and competent professionals in their selected fields.
More information can be found at: http://www.fullerton.edu/guardianscholars/

Faculty and Staff Associations
The African American Faculty and Staff Association sponsors activities that support African American students such as Multicultural Mentor Project, Dialogues and literary discussions, Student scholarships, Pan African Student Recognition Ceremony, and Black History Month Celebration.
Composed of Asian and Pacific Islanders, and other interested faculty and staff, AAPIFSA members join together to acknowledge and celebrate the commonalities in the often-diverse Asian cultures. The AAPIFSA acts to help Asian-American students achieve educational excellence and to respond proactively to the needs of the Asian and Asian-related student body.
The Chicano/a Studies program co-sponsors an event for Hispanic parents to visit the CSUF campus. In this visit the application process is explained to the parents and potential students. The program maintains connections with the surrounding Hispanic community through internships and other community support activities.

Graduate Studies
Enhancing Post-baccalaureate Opportunities at CSUF for Hispanic Students (EPOCHS)
With support from the U.S. Department of Education, the Enhancing Post-baccalaureate Opportunities at CSUF for Hispanic Students (EPOCHS) program, funded by the Federal Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA), serves to increase the number of Latino students who enroll in and complete a post-baccalaureate degree at CSUF. We hope to achieve this goal by strengthening the environment for graduate studies at CSUF. With EPOCHS, CSUF provides:
-Annual New Graduate Student Welcome Day
-Graduate Student Orientation
-Student Support Specialist
-Graduate Student Guide
-Graduate Learning Specialists
-Student Academic Enrichment Opportunities
-Graduate Student Research Fund
-Quarterly bilingual graduate newsletter
-Networking and Community Engagement opportunities
http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/epochs/

Graduate Equity Program
Funded by the CSU, the Graduate Equity Program seeks to increase the diversity of students completing graduate degree programs, encourage further study in doctoral programs and promote consideration of university faculty careers. It provides fellowships to economically disadvantaged CSUF students who have overcome educational disadvantages or hardships. The fellowships are intended to minimize students' debt burden, allowing them to complete their program more quickly and commence doctoral study. More information can be found at: http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/funding/equityprogram.asp
Faculty-initiated projects which are College-based projects directly serving Under-Represented Groups and/or servicing K-12 schools/school districts with high student populations from under-represented groups:

College of Engineering & Computer Science
CASECS: Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science
The Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science (CASECS) is an academic support program designed to recruit, retain and graduate students. CASECS serves educationally disadvantaged students, to the extent possible by law and emphasizes participation by students from groups with low eligibility rates for four-year colleges. CASECS is a program of Student Academic Services in the Division of Students Affairs with joint collaboration of the College of Engineering & Computer Science and Student Affairs. This program has three objectives - Increase Enrollment & Retention; Increase Industry Tours; and Increase Scholarships.
Some of the features of the program include:
-Building a support community among students with similar career goals;
-Constructing the bridges necessary to establish a mentor-protégé relationship between faculty and students;
-Expecting excellent performance by students. Effectively communicating support for the students' success at the University and in the selected profession.
The program has ten specific service components designed to support students' successful pursuit of an academic program and their achievement of a timely graduation, as well as to assist them with their personal concerns. These components include assistance with admission and matriculation; orientation course; study center, tutoring, academic counseling, student organizations, scholarships and incentive grants, summer jobs and part-time work, professional development, and ECS support. More information can be found at: http://www.fullerton.edu/learningassistance/tutoring_centers/computer_science.asp

Academic Catalyst for Excellence (ACE) Scholarship Program (NSF Grant)
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) proudly announces the Academic Catalyst for Excellence (ACE) Scholarship program, a comprehensive educational support system designed to ensure student success. The grant seeks to improve educational opportunities for academically promising, but financially disadvantaged, engineering students. First-generation college students and those from underrepresented groups will be emphasized. The scholarship will serve as a catalyst that will allow students to focus diligently on their academics. The program will award scholarships to ECS students and leverage a well established network of ECS and University student services to support cohorts of ACE scholars majoring in civil and environmental engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Scholars will be selected on the basis of their academic potential and financial need. Based on the class level, an ACE Scholar receives tuition scholarship for maximum of seven consecutive semesters (up to $2000 per semester) and a myriad of support services ranging from peer mentoring to academic internship. ECS ACE benefits include ACE scholarships for a maximum of seven consecutive semesters (ranges from $1000 to $2000 per semester); summer orientation program; peer mentoring/tutoring; cohort-based learning community; research participation with an ECS faculty; academic counseling, lunch speaker series, professional development workshops, academic internships and job fairs, and priority registration. More information can be found at: http://www.fullerton.edu/ecs/resources/ace.asp

College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
CSU-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSU-LSAMP)
The goal of CSU-LSAMP is to increase the number of targeted students who graduate with degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). The targeted students are individuals who have faced or face social, educational, or economic barriers to careers in STEM. Several strategies are employed to meet this goal including academic year workshops in key “gatekeeper” courses, a CSU-LSAMP Community College Transfer Scholars Program which provides up to 3 new transfer students with $1000 during their first year at CSUF, assistance with admission to graduate schools (GRE workshops, application help, fee waivers, etc.) and funds to attend research conferences. Director: Dr. Christina Goode; LSAMP administrative assistant: Julianne Stern. http://lsamp.fullerton.edu/

Minority Access to Research Centers (MARC)
The MARC training program offers an extraordinary opportunity for minority students seeking careers in biomedical research. The goals of the program are to provide first-rate research training of undergraduate participants, to place undergraduates into respected graduate programs and ensure their success in those programs. To achieve these goals, the program will provide MARC Scholars with a solid curriculum, strong intramural and extramural research experience, personalized career and academic advisement and experience in presenting research data on the CSUF campus and at national professional meetings. Scholars will also gain exposure to a broad range of biomedical researchers through an enhanced seminar series in the Department of Biological Science. Director: Dr. Amybeth Cohen. http://marc.fullerton.edu/
Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT)
The summer research experience provides MHIRT scholars with the opportunity to travel to a foreign institution and spend 10 weeks conducting research in the laboratory of their foreign research advisor. The objectives of the program are:
-to increase the numbers of students belonging to health disparities populations or underrepresented minorities that pursue advanced degrees in basic sciences, biomedical or clinical research fields;
-to make these students aware of minority and international health problems and to seek novel approaches to address them;
-to inculcate in these students the importance and opportunities of international collaboration in research to address health disparities from a global health perspective.
Director: Dr. Marcelo Tolmasky.
More information can be found at: http://biology.fullerton.edu/mtolmasky/MHIRT%20website/

CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research (BSCR) Program
The Department of Biological Science at CSUF was awarded $1.28 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to place ten undergraduate students as interns in stem cell research laboratories at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), UC-Irvine (UCI), UC-Riverside (UCR) and University of Southern California (USC). The Stem Cell Scholars must enroll in a special, 3-unit laboratory course during summer and must volunteer full-time in one of the four selected laboratories during the summer semester. Director: Dr. Nilay Patel. http://biology.fullerton.edu/stemcells/ http://biology.fullerton.edu/marcelo-tolmasky/MHIRT_WEBSITE/Site_2/Home.html

Research Careers Preparatory (RCP) Program
The RCP Program is a one-year program that provides students with the opportunity to explore research as a career through a specially designed pro-seminar course and associated field or laboratory activities. Participants in the program receive extensive academic and research mentoring support through two courses. These courses will prepare and train students to be successful in their major as future scientists (MS, PhD, DSc), future professionals (MD, MD-PhD, DO, OD, etc.), and more broadly as responsible citizens. Participants will carry out undergraduate research with a faculty member in the Departments of Biological Science, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Psychology, or other departments undertaking science-related research (Health Science, Computer Science, Mathematics). Upon successful completion of the one-year program, students may apply to any of the following research scholarships or fellowships: MARC, SCERP, MHIRT, HHMI, and BSCR. Director: Dr. Math Cuajungco. http://biology.fullerton.edu/

Project MISS
Every summer for the past 20 years girls from high schools and junior highs in Orange and Los Angeles counties, as well as the Inland Empire, have spent the month of July forsaking the beach and other summertime haunts for Cal State Fullerton classrooms, studying algebra I and II, geometry and pre-calculus as participants in Project Math Intensive Summer Session. For seven hours a day, Monday through Friday, Dr. David Pagni, Professor of Mathematics’ Project MISS participants are shown what to do by instructors, then turned loose to use their new-found knowledge to solve problems. They work cooperatively in groups, while instructors and tutors circulate among them, giving hints, answering questions and praising efforts. About 1,200 girls have attended the National Science Foundation-funded program, and Pagni’s involvement with these students continues after the summer sessions. http://www.fullerton.edu/miss/

Teachers Assisting Students to Excel in Learning Mathematics (TASEL-M)
TASEL-M is an ongoing partnership between the Orange County Department of Education, Cal State Fullerton and math teachers at four high schools, seven middle schools and three continuation high schools. The project was developed in 2003 by Dr. David Pagni, Professor of Mathematics “to build professional learning communities and provide professional development with the goal of raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap of these schools to the state average as a minimum.” In 2007, a five year National Science Foundation grant of $6,483,054 was awarded to Dr. Pagni to continue this work. Teachers at participating schools work closely to create common agreement and common assessments in order to “offer an equitable curriculum to their students. They also create common lessons designed to increase student engagement and understanding of the concept(s) being taught,” Pagni says. Each June, participants are invited to a retreat in which teachers share their successes and lessons learned from the previous year, Pagni adds. “At the August Institute, teachers receive professional development on mathematics content, how students learn and pedagogy research. They develop an action plan for the upcoming school year that is based on data from the previous year, including new benchmarks or department, district and state assessments. http://taselm.fullerton.edu/tasel_m_index.html

College of Education
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is a leadership institute designed to celebrate and enhance the achievements of women of color in higher education. Within the context and experiences of women of color, Kaleidoscope offers attendees a forum for:
-Discussing issues facing leaders of educational institutions;
-Exploring the workplace challenges within higher education;
-Creating national networking and mentoring opportunities;
-Providing guidance and strategies for career planning;
-Building skills for success;
-Increasing communication.
http://calstate.fullerton.edu/news/2011fall/Kaleidoscope-Institute.asp

The Division of Administration and Finance University Business Institute (UBI) program offers a number of classes to the campus community that support underrepresented groups, whether by providing training for said groups or to those who interact and work with underrepresented groups. Training for working with students includes: UBI By the Book – Students Who Drive You Crazy; Cross-Cultural Dialogues in the Workplace; Got Finesse? Enhancing Your Presentation Skills; Dealing with Challenging Coworker or Student Situations; Maximizing the Student Employment Experience; Mentoring our Future Student Professionals; Millennials in the Workplace; Social Media: Applications for Higher Education Professionals; Student Hiring & Employment; Student Assistant Supervisors Peer Learning Community; Understanding Student Positions and Student Task Profiles.

CSUF offers a number of scholarships available to new and returning students. In addition to scholastic achievement, financial need and other factors may be considered in the selection process. Many of the special scholarships listed below were established to increase college participation of underrepresented and disadvantaged students. The full listing of scholarships and criteria can be found at: http://www.fullerton.edu/financialaid/scholar/scholarship.pdf

+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

The website URL where more information about the support programs for underrepresented groups is available:
http://hr.fullerton.edu/diversity/
+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

Does the institution have a discrimination response policy and/or team (or the equivalent) to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime?:
Yes
+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response policy, program and/or team:

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is dedicated to maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students and a professional workplace for its employees. CSUF prohibits discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and sexual harassment, including sexual violence and any type of sexual misconduct.

All administrators, supervisors, and members of the faculty who witness, become aware of, or have information regarding any form of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, inappropriate sexual behavior, and/or criminal activity involving a CSUF employee, volunteer, student, or guest are required to report the incident immediately.

Reports may be made directly to either the Title IX Coordinator or a Title IX Administrator or Deputy listed below. All members of the campus community may also submit a claim form:
-Student Complaint Form: Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
-Student Complaint Procedure Timeline
-Employee and Third Party Complaint Form: Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
-Employee and Third Party Complaint Procedure Timeline
Students: Any student who believes he or she has been a victim of sexual misconduct may visit the WoMen's Center (UH-205) to obtain information about various support services (for men and women). For more information, visit fullerton.edu/WomenCenter. Incidents involving other forms of harassment and/or discrimination should be brought to the attention of a Title IX Administrator, Coordinator or Deputy listed below.

Employees: Any employee who believes he or she is a victim of sexual misconduct, harassment and/or discrimination should bring the matter to the attention of his/her supervisor or manager, the Title IX Coordinator, Administrator or Deputy and/or go to hr.fullerton.edu/faculty_staff_relations/FileATitleIXComplaint to file a complaint.

CSUF does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies including EO 1097 and EO 1096. The protected classes listed above are not exhaustive.

Key campus contacts:
Lori Gentles, Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, Title IX, Coordinator

AND

Michelle Tapper, Title IX Administrator, mtapper@fullerton.edu, 657-278-4207

+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

The website URL where more information about the institution’s discrimination response policy, program and/or team is available:
http://hr.fullerton.edu/faculty_staff_relations/TitleIXGuideToReporting.asp
+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
No

Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender neutral bathrooms on campus?:
No
+ Date Revised: Oct. 14, 2015

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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