Diversity Works at KU
"Kutztown University will value and respect all campus constituents, celebrate diversity, and embrace shared governance" (Kutztown University, Strategic Plan 2016-2019).
We value and appreciate the differences and unique aspects each individual brings to our campus community. The diverse perspectives, ideas, background and abilities of our faculty, staff and students, help to create an environment for which each member can grow and ultimately be more prepared to thrive in our ever-changing society. We strive tirelessly to be open to change, listen to those who find challenge in this space, and respond in a way that makes everyone feel valued.
Please take a moment or two to browse the various links and information, which are designed -at the very least- to inform you of campus resources, programs, events and activities within our university community. If you are looking for resources on reporting incidents, please click here or visit the link to the left, "University Community Response Team".
Jerry Schearer, Senior Associate Dean/Chief Diversity Officer, oversees the four Inclusion Centers listed below.
Office: Multicultural Center 103 (click to view on campus map)
Email: schearer@kutztown.edu
Phone: 610-683-1362
LGBTQ+ Resource Center
Located at Boxwood House, 15205 Kutztown Rd. Open M-Th 9-6pm and Fri. 9-4:30pm during the academic year.
View LGBTQ+ Resource Center events here.
Multicultural Services
Located at Multicultural Center, South Campus Drive. Open M-Th 8am-9pm and Fri. 8-4:30pm during the academic year.
View Multicultural Services events here.
Women's Center
Located at Boxwood House, 15205 Kutztown Rd. Open M-Th 8-6pm and Fri. 8-4:30pm during the academic year.
View Women's Center events here.
Veterans Services
Located at 262 McFarland Student Union Building. Open M-F 8-4:30pm during the academic year.
View Military and Veterans Services events here.
Summer hours for all offices are M-F 8am-4pm.
Click here to visit a calendar of religious holidays for 2022. Click here for an additional interfaith calendar.
2022 PASSHE DEI Summit (virtual): November 2-4
Save the date for this year's summit! All staff, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to attend. Call for proposals coming soon. Proposals due August 29.
Each year, KU hosts an annual Unity Day! Check it out:
Resources:
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Academic Offerings
Courses at Kutztown University that represent* the wide range of diversity topics available for students in majors, minors, or as electives.
ANT 215 (Gender Across Cultures)
ANT 241 (Race & ethnicity)
ANT/SOC 246: Globalization and Development
ANT 262 (Hate Across Cultures)
ANT 505 - Culture And Learning
ANT 555 - Peoples, Cultures, and Adaptations in the Pennsylvania Region
COM 237 (Women Writers in Performance)
COM 250 (Performance of Latino/a Literature)
COM 271 (Sexualities & Communication in Everyday Life)
COM 285 (Gender Communication)
COM 301 (Performance & Culture)
COM 341 (Voices of American Women)
CRJ 232 (Diversity in the CRJ System)
ENG 132 (Contemp. Gay and Lesbian Literature)
ENG 137 (Experiences in AFAM Literature)
ENG 234 (Ethnic American Literature)
ENG 236 (Black American Literature: Poetry/Drama)
ENG 237 (Black American Literature: Novel)
ENG 246 (Feminist Film Theory)
ENG 247 (Modern Latin American Literature in Translation)
ENG 274 (Women, Writing & Rhetoric)
ENG 323 (Native American Women Writers)
ENG 366 (Cultures of American Modernism)
HIS 150 (Minorities in American History)
HIS 229 (American Urban History)
HIS 240 (African American History)
HIS 241 (History of Women in America)
HIS 244 (Immigration and Ethnicity in American History)
HIS 247 (Work and Workers in American History)
HUM 211 (Women in the Arts)
MAT 045 (Women in Math)
POL 231 (Social Movement and Revolutions)
PSY 205 (Psychology of the Black Experience)
PSY 208 (Psychology of Gender)
PSY 215 (Psychology of Prejudice)#
SOC 207 (Families & Social Class)
SOC 217 (LGBTQ Studies)
SOC 222 (Rural Poverty)
SOC 224 (Immigration & Assimilation)
SOC 230 (Urban Sociology)
SOC 235: Sociology of Gender
SOC 241 (Race & Ethnicity)
SOC 260 (Social Stratification)
SOC 280 (Social Movements)*
SPA 247 (Modern Latin American Literature in Translation)
SWK 130 (Poverty & Social Welfare)
SWK 160 (Human Behavior & Social Environment)
WGS 217: LGBTQ Studies
WGS 250 (Women & Leadership)
WGS 251 (Women, Money, & Power)
WGS 329 (Feminist & Gender Theories)
This list may not be comprehensive as course offerings do change and additions are made. Also, many Faculty do incorporate diversity or social justice themes into their courses that might not be specifically related or on this list. If you have suggestions to this list of courses to be added or deleted, please email: schearer@kutztown.edu
#Not all courses are offered each semester or each year. Offerings my be done in cycles or change due to Faculty changes or major/minor offerings.
For more information on courses and course descriptions, please click here for the Kutztown University course catalog.
*In addition to this list of individual courses, there is work towards a Multicultural Studies Minor, which will operate out of the Psychology Dept.
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Trainings & Workshops
Bias Response, Student Activism, and Free Speech Workshop
Courageous Conversations Training Program
This program trains individuals to create spaces on campus where students, staff, and faculty can have open conversations without judgment. The training teaches the principles of having courageous conversations (i.e. non-violent communication) including as it relates to intersectionality (race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). The learning outcome for this session is for participants to be able to articulate and demonstrate the essential components for having courageous conversations. Contact: Mr. Jerry Schearer, Sr. Associate Dean & Chief Diversity Officer
The Safe Space Program
The Safe Space Program at Kutztown University is designed to provide education and resources to the KU campus and community members in order to keep a safe and nurturing environment, free of discrimination based on sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender identity. The purpose of this program is to provide an intro-level understanding of issues within the LGBTQ community and how they may affect students here at Kutztown, as well as basic knowledge on how to be an ally to the community.
Green Zone Training
Green Zone/Got Your Six sensitivity awareness training that educates faculty and staff about the student-veteran transition experience so they can become campus advocates. Contact Veterans Services: veterans@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4228
Multicultural Services Training
The Multicultural Center supports and encourages students to fully participate in college life, and provides guidance and direction to help any student find resources, explore opportunities, and develop or enhance their academic and personal skills. We also provide resources and support to individuals, groups, and organizations seeking to develop multicultural-focused workshops and programs. For more information visit the Multicultural Services website.
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Anti-Racism Resources
Articles & Blogs:
Healing from the Effects of Internalized Oppression - University of Kansas
"This Is What Black Burnout Feels Like," by Tiana Clark
105 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice by Corinne Shutack
Racial Microaggressions In Everyday Life by D. W. Sue, C. M. Capodilupo, G. C. Torino, et al.
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
20+ Allyship Actions for Asians to Show Up for the Black Community Right Now by Michelle Kim
"5 Reasons Intersectionality Matters, Because Feminism Cannot Be Inclusive Without It," by Suzannah Weiss
"How to Fight Racism in the Workplace," Glassdoor Team
"Be Brave Enough to Start a Conversation That Matters," a Daring Discussions toolkit
Books:
The Person You Mean To Be: How Good People Fight Bias by Dolly Chugh
The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Podcasts:
"What Does 'Hood Feminism' Mean for a Pandemic?" Code Switch podcast
1619, The New York Times
What Matters, Black Lives Matter
Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
Pod for the Cause, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Videos:
13th, by Ava DuVernay
"Black Feminism and the Movement for Black Lives," a discussion with Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, and Charlene Carruthers
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable," by Luvvie Ajayi
"Public Address on Revolution: Revolution Now," by Rachel Cargle
Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten by PBS
Asian Americans by PBS
Latino Americans by PBS
Native America by PBS
Websites:
"What Is Intersectionality and What Does It Have to Do with Me?"
"Race and Ethnicity Conversation Guide,"
"Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others", Pepperdine
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Additional DEI Resources and Links of Interest
105 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
The Color of Drinking Survey: Alcohol as a Social Justice Issue by Reonda Washington
Anti-Racism Resources for White People
What White Colleagues Need to Understand
Checking In On Your Black Employees
Pods with Friends: An Inexhaustive Primer for Racial Justice Edition
Managing Financial Challenges for Asians & Pacific Islanders
Related Policies, Procedures, & Links of Interest (via University Social Equity)
- Select Messages About Diversity
- President's Diversity Initiatives
- Offices and Committees Related to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Kutztown University Strategic Plan
- Facts and Figures
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Policies
Policy DIV 001-Accessible Meetings, Events, Programs
Policy DIV 002-Reasonable Accommodations for Employees
Policy DIV 003-Animals on Campus--Policies and Procedure
Policy DIV 004-Accommodations and Services for Students with Disabilities
Policy DIV 007-Sexual Misconduct Policy
Policy DIV 008-Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures
Policy DIV 009-Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures