Portland State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Policy. Discrimination or harassment based on a Protected Class or Protected Classes is
strictly prohibited by PSU. Retaliation is also prohibited by PSU.

https://www.pdx.edu/ogc/sites/www.pdx.edu.ogc/files/3.15.13%20REV%20Policy%20on%20Prohibited%20Discrimination%20and%20Harassment%20signed%20final.pdf

The Bias Response and Prevention Team (BRPT) is comprised of university-wide leadership representing a broad spectrum of decision makers and support personnel. The purpose is to monitor and respond to bias/hate incidents through individual care services to victims, removal/response to actual incident and deployment of both prevention and interventional programming.

http://www.pdx.edu/dos/bias-response-team

Mulitcultural admissions counselors have been hired, who work to recruit student from underrepresented groups

The University requires mandatory search committee training in best practices in hiring for diversity plus has an annual fund entitled the Diversity Initiative Fund (DIF) specific for the hiring of faculty.

Disability Resource Center
The mission of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is to collaborate with and empower Portland State University students with disabilities in order to coordinate support services and programs that enable equal access to an education and university life. To accomplish this goal, the DRC provides pre-admission and disability counseling, advocacy, educational training, and a variety of accommodations for equal access to the educational process and campus at Portland State University.
(Source: http://drc.pdx.edu/)

Queer Resource Center
The Portland State University Queer Resource Center strives to provide an inclusive safe space in advocating for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students, staff, faculty and their allies. Our Mission is to serve the PSU and surrounding communities through both outreach education and social programming that promotes awareness.
(Source: http://pdx.edu/queer)

Veterans Services
The Veterans Resource Center provides faculty, staff and administrators with the necessary resources and information to support the student veteran community. (Source: http://www.pdx.edu/veterans/)

Student parents
Services for Students with Children offers integrated services that support students’ goals to be effective parents while succeeding in their academic pursuits.

Through campus projects, community involvement, and advocacy, we strive to increase available resources and opportunities that improve the quality of life for students with children. The RCSC envisions a future in which students with children receive all the supports and services they need to complete their academic goals and provide a brighter future for themselves and their children.
(Source: https://www.pdx.edu/students-with-children/

Diversity & Multicultural Student Services
Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS) mission is to build and strengthen a sustainable, educationally diverse and co-curricular environment where all students have the access and support they need to achieve their educational goals.
(Source: http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/)

+African American Student Services: African American Student Services (AASS) provides academic support services, advocacy and campus navigation. We provide connection to African American community services and resources for incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. AASS also provides a supportive and welcoming environment for African American students as they transition to the PSU academic environment or continue their education at PSU. AASS assists students who are seeking a cultural connection at Portland State University through community building activities and connecting participants to PSU student groups and faculty, as these are essential components to achieving academic success.
+Native American Student Services provides to Native American (NA) and Alaskan Native (AN) students services to support their academic success, including academic advising, guidance and referrals to appropriate student services.
Native American Student Services coordinates with the Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS) offices; the Diversity Recognition Scholarship Program, the Native American Student and Community Center, the Student Support Services/Educational Opportunity Program, and the Tutoring Center as key services for the retention and success of the NA/AN students.
(Source: http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/nass)
+Latino/a Student Services: LSS provides academic support services, advocacy and connections to campus and Latino community services and resources to new incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. LSS provides a supportive and welcoming environment for Latino students as they transition to the PSU academic environment. LSS assists students who are seeking a cultural connection to the Portland State University campus by connecting them to student groups and faculty, an essential component to achieving academic success.
http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/LSS
Diversity Scholarship Programs
The program promotes diversity and student participation in campus life through volunteerism and academic excellence. Scholarship recipients will share their unique strengths and diverse perspectives through their involvement in on-campus activities, in the classroom and through their participation in community service. The Diversity Enrichment Scholarship is a renewable tuition-remission credit in the amount of 12 undergraduate credits at the resident tuition rate excluding fees (actual amount varies).
This scholarship attracts outstanding students from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education and pursuin their first bachelors degree. The Diversity Enrichment Scholarship gives preferences to those who are/have:
Oregon residents
Financial need (federally defined)
First-generation* college students
* First-generation is defined as neither parent has a 4-year college degree from a U.S. university.
http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/diversity-scholars The Guide, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program in the Multicultural Retention Services department offers general academic support to students who are first-generation, low-income and from diverse and multicultural backgrounds. The program will aid you throughout your college experience by providing general academic advising, connections with a diverse and multicultural on-campus community, and referrals to campus and community resources. The Guide, Persist, Succeed Program is for students who are not currently enrolled in one of the following DMSS transition programs: ACCESS, Diversity Scholars, GANAS, NDNSS, Empower, or SSS-TRIO. API Student Services - As part of Diversity and Multicultural Student Services, located in Smith Memorial Student Union 425, API Student Services seeks to bridge students to more equitable and accessible educational experiences for all API identified students in the PSU Community

The Cultural Resource Centers
The Cultural Centers create a student-centered inclusive environment that enriches the university experience. We honor diversity, explore social justice issues, celebrate cultural traditions, and
foster student identities, success and leadership.

Learning Goals: Leadership - Intercultural Communication - Identity Development - Social Justice
http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/cultural-resource-centers

Native American Student & Community Center
The Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC) is a gathering space to celebrate and empower student success through culturally relevant programming, academic support, and inter-generational community engagement to preserve and perpetuate inter-tribal connection for Native American/Alaskan Native/Pacific Islander students and our allies through tradition, ceremony, and story. Our center welcomes all people.
http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/native-american-student-community-center

McNair Scholars
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at Portland State University (PSU) works with motivated and talented undergraduates who want to pursue PhDs. It introduces juniors and seniors who are first-generation and low-income, and/or members of under-represented groups to academic research and to effective strategies for getting into and graduating from PhD programs.
(Source:https://www.pdx.edu/mcnair-program/)

Men of Color Mentoring Program
The Men of Color Program through the office of Diversity and Multicultural Student Services is a mentoring group designed to assist incoming African-American, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. The aim of the mentoring program is to assist freshman acclimating to the college environment, utilize campus resources, and encourage academic excellence. The programs overall goal is to support the improvement of graduation rates among these identified groups.

Faculty/Staff Support:
The Diversity Action Council has two subcommittees one that focuses on underrepresented staff and one that focuses on underrepresented faculty. These committees provide peer support as well as making recommendations to administration on how to improve the culture and climate for underrepresented faculty and staff.

Human Resources also provides services to all faculty and staff including free counseling services through cascade centers. Additionally, HR provides resources for employees with children, and employees with disabilities.

The Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion provide faculty and staff with one-on-one support and mentoring for faculty and staff.

McNair Scholars Program: http://www.pdx.edu/mcnair-program/about

The Portland State University (PSU) Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program introduces juniors and seniors who are first-generation and low-income, and/or members of under-represented groups to academic research and to effective strategies for getting into and graduating from PhD programs, and works with motivated and talented undergraduates who want to pursue PhDs.

The McNair Scholars Program has academic-year activities and a full-time summer research internship. Scholars take academic and skills-building seminars and workshops during the year, and each scholar works closely with a faculty mentor on original research in the summer. Scholars present their research findings at the McNair Summer Symposium and at other conferences, and are encouraged to publish their papers in the McNair Journal and other scholarly publications.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program was established in 1986 by the U.S. Department of Education and named in honor of Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair. The program, which has been on campus since 2003, is funded by a $1,155,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education and institutional cost-share funds.

The McNair Scholars Program's student-centered approach relies heavily on faculty and university commitment. Activities and opportunities provided by the program focus on building a positive academic community for the scholars while they are undergraduates at PSU.

Teachers Pathways Program: http://www.pdx.edu/education/pathways
The Teacher Pathways Program was created to provide clear, teaching career pathways and support for culturally diverse students interested in becoming a teacher in the Portland metropolitan area. We are currently recruiting diverse PSU undergraduates, community college students, instructional assistants, and other career-changers who are considering entering the field of teaching.

Program objectives:
Increase and support the pipeline of culturally and linguistically diverse students interested in teaching careers
Cultivate personal, academic, and professional development with a focus on educational equity and social justice
Provide an academic support network and close-knit community of diverse students and educators who share a passion for teaching and social justice equity
Promote academic and professional excellence
Provide mentorship and opportunities to volunteer in classrooms

Program benefits:
Throughout each term there will be a variety of activities and support services available to Teacher Pathways participants, including:

Specialized advising
Tutoring and small group study sessions
Personal leadership and educational justice seminars
Financial literacy and scholarship workshops aid and financial planning workshops
Opportunities to volunteer in K-12 classrooms
Mentoring from teachers in the Portland metropolitan area
Basic Skills Test Prep and assistance with graduate school and scholarship applications
Community service activities

Employee Assistance Program: https://www.pdx.edu/hr/employee-assistance-program#eap

Family Friendly Resources: https://www.pdx.edu/hr/family-friendly-resources