Office of Residential Life Diversity Statement

The Office of Residential Life celebrates and recognizes that the University community is comprised of persons who represent diversity on many levels ... diversity of thought, belief, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation to name a few.  All members of the University community are appreciated for their difference and accountable to each other. In a community of scholars, there is no place for behavior which marginalizes, ridicules, or demeans others.  Therefore, the Office of Residential Life embraces the following principles:  

• Foster an environment, which nurtures the value and the celebration of human differences.
• Define diversity to include all members of the campus community.
• Facilitate learning experiences, which capture the connectedness and interdependence of all people in a pluralistic and global society.
• Educate residents to understand the added significance of social responsibility in an increasingly diverse and global society.
• Develop leaders who affirm the principles of human rights and dignity and engage these principles in their decisions as leaders to improve the human condition.
• Establish bridges with other University departments to link the learning process in developing values and life skills necessary for a pluralistic and global society.
• Create collaborative relationships with local communities/agencies to create and sustain a climate both in the community and the campus that fosters diversity.
• Maintain an open learning community where the free exchange of different points of view, inquiry, dialogue and civil discourse are encouraged.
• Foster professional practice, which emphasizes ethical conduct by all members of the campus community.