Request for Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Values of diversity are also reflected in the ethnic and gender composition of CSU’s non-instructional staff. Almost an equal number of non-instructional staff is male (51%) and female (49%). Seventy one percent (71%) are African-American, 19% are Caucasian, 4% are non-resident aliens from countries outside the U.S., 3% are Asian and 2% are of an unknown race. Table 1.C.4. below provides the gender and ethnic background of non-instructional staff.  

Central State University also addresses its role in a multicultural society via its General Education and Program Curricula which fosters multicultural and global perspectives and a respect for diversity. All entering freshman must complete an African American history course and a Global Civilization course, and nine credit hours of selected courses from a menu which includes the courses listed in Table 1.C.4. below.

To reinforce multicultural and global competencies and skills students gain from completing selected courses from the above list, the University also encourages students to participate in study abroad programs. Over the past two summers alone, 13 CSU students have participated in study abroad programs and traveled to Ghana (8 students), China (2 students), Austria (2 students), and Italy (one student).  Additional information about CSU’s participation in study abroad programs and other events involving global travel are discussed in Criterion 3.B.

 1. C. 2. CSU's processes and activities reflect attention to human diversity as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves.

 CSU’s processes and activities reflect human diversity. As indicated above, the University has a diverse student body, faculty, and staff, and it adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in its admission and hiring processes. Students encounter diversity in and out of the classroom in the professors who teach them, support staff that advise or mentor them, fellow students with whom they interact on campus, the subjects they study, and the extracurricular activities in which they participate throughout the year. 

As promised in its mission statement, CSU is committed to “providing a nurturing and culturally enriched learning environment for its students.”   It does so via the diversity of its academic programs and through the thoughtful and caring services provided by faculty, academic advisors and mentors, and learning skills specialists from the various colleges in the Division of Academic Affairs, and through the Division of Student Support Services through the Offices of Admission, Financial Aid, Disability Services, and Career Services in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.  Through Career Services, students have the opportunity to participate in internships and experiential learning opportunities and apply knowledge and skills in diverse workplace environments as they build relationships with future employers. These experiences promote personal and professional growth of CSU students and help to prepare them for a meaningful life and productive work in a global society. The University also provides health support through licensed professional mental health counselors and emotional support through an interfaith ministry.

The variety of curricular and co-curricular activities offered to students, faculty and staff (and their families) throughout the year reflects the University’s attention to diversity.  The University supplements its formal academic programs, for example, with a vibrant speakers series offered as part of its annual Urban Education Institute Conference, organized by the College of Education; the University Convocation Series; Charter Day; Honors Day; Commencement;, Alumni Visitation Day; the Black Executive Exchange Program; Communications Week; and the Black Atlantic Conference. The University Convocation Series alone, which is designed to broaden students’ perspectives and give them aspirational role models (Freshmen are required to attend these convocations; Upper division students are encouraged to attend.), has brought a number of distinguished guests from diverse experiences to the CSU campus. For example, over the last two years, the Convocation Series has featured the following:            

CSU has also hosted several resident and global scholars and presenters in recent years. Table 1.C.6. below provides the list of scholars to CSU from 2008-2012:

 Table 1.C.6. CSU Scholars 2008-2012                     

Scholar	Scholar’s Profession/Discipline	Time of Visit/Presentation
Ms. Heidi Cooper	Puppeteer/Performing Arts	Spring of 2008
Barbara Reynolds	Journalist/Honors Program	Spring of 2009
Dr. Vonetta Kelley	Urban Scholar/ Institute of Urban Education	Spring 2008- Fall 2009.
Dr. Joyce Dunbar	Historian/ Honors Program	Spring 2010- Fall 2012
	Fulbright Scholar/International Week	Fall 2008
Dr. Sun Qi	Professor at Tongji University, Chinas/Taught Film and Drama Courses	Fall 2008-Spring 2009
Dr. Musa Shteiwi	University of Jordan,  Amman/Fulbright Lecturer	Spring of 2010

The University’s Fine and Performing Arts programs also reflect the institution’s role in a multicultural society via its numerous and very popular art shows, theatrical performances, the famous CSU choir, Jazz Ensemble, marching band, Dancing Belles, and via the Department’s partnership with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, a world renown dance troupe headquartered at the CSU-Dayton location campus. The CSU chorus has traveled to China (2012), Germany (2009), and Italy (2007). Science faculty members have traveled with students to Brazil, Jamaica, Senegal, and Zambia for education and research. Faculty has also traveled to Haiti, China, Senegal, and Israel.

In addition to working with students in K-12 grade schools, CSU students pursuing the various disciplines also participate in a wide range of multicultural activities through student organizations that reflect the diverse interests of the CSU student body. Student organizations include the Campus Green Project, Business Management Club, Fashion Addicts, Muslim Student Association, the National Association for the Advancement of People of Color (NAACP), the National Society of Pershing Rifles, Revolution Society, Prelaw Society, Women Empowering Women, Today's Latino's and Caribbean’s and Toastmaster’s Club.

CSU’s primary public obligation is to prepare students to be productive citizens in both the economic and civic realms. The University prepares students with the academic, professional, and social skills to not only earn a living but also to be active and engaged citizens. As expressed in the University’s mission statement, CSU "academically prepares students with diverse backgrounds and educational needs for leadership and service,” and demonstrates its commitment to the public good by educating young people who contribute to society. Contributions to the public good include educational programs and services for the local communities, offered on the main campus in Wilberforce and in the Dayton community; economic contributions to the state; community health services; social, cultural and civic engagement and outreach activities. The University also provides opportunities for the community to use campus facilities and buildings on the main campus as well as at the Dayton location.

The University built a facility in 2003 to house an independently operated child care center to increase the availability of child care for students, faculty, and local residents. The Kids Learning Place consolidated its operations in Xenia in 2011. CSU’s  Institute of Urban Education hosted three Cultural Competency Professional Development Training (CCPDT) conferences in the 2008-2009 school year. CSU has hosted the Urban Education conferences since 2005. The conferences focus on multicultural education and culturally responsive teaching methods and strategies useful for diverse classrooms, particularly those useful for teaching and promoting retention of African American males.  For example, the 2010 conference, sponsored by the Ohio Governor's Office, focused on “Closing the Achievement Gap.” The 2011 conference, with the theme "Multicultural Education: Teaching and Believing," focused on "Teaching and Learning in a Multicultural Society."

CSU also initiated outreach programs to the Hispanic community in recent years and hired a Latina admissions officer, who is intimately involved in the Hispanic community and who works to increase the number of Hispanic students attending CSU. Other CSU programs for the community include the K4L Youth Empowerment Program, a hip-hop based violence prevention program for teenage males. Offered at the CSU-Dayton location facility, K4L teaches young men sound engineering and disc jockey skills inside a University recording studio. The goal of the program is to use music as a means of teaching young men better decision-making skills and violence prevention strategies. The program also offers tutoring and cultural enrichment activities.

CSU also hosts a variety of summer programs for K-12 grade students every year, particularly those in the middle and high school grades. These programs include the following:

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  The Exxon/Mobile Bernard Harris Science Camp  - a two-week residential camp for junior high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
  
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  The W.E.B.Dubois Culturally Talented Tenth STEM Academy - a two-week residential academic camp for 50 at-risk students entering the ninth grade.  The Academy offers enrichment activities in the STEM areas, as well as information about what it takes to get into college. 
  
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  The Upward Bound Program (CSU-UB) – a national program that helps high school students develop the academic skills necessary to successfully complete high school and enroll in and graduate from college. The program has a four-week, on-campus summer component and an academic-year component. CSU-UB provides services to low-income, first generation students and students who are struggling in school. The program has served more than 200 participants since 2008. Ninety-five percent of the participants pass the Ohio Graduation Tests, and eighty percent go on to college.
  
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  The Summer Transportation Institute (STI) is a four-week program that introduces high school students to various facets of the transportation industry. STI participants are exposed to highway formation, traffic control, air transportation, space travel, water transportation and renewable energy in transportation. The four-week camp consists of classroom lectures, guest speakers, and field trips. The camp is designed to address the needs of the transportation industry.
  
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  The STEM Education Summer Science Camp  - a two-week program that promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program introduces students to college life and stimulates their interest in science and engineering careers. Campers attend classes and participate in field excursions that emphasize problem solving, research, and communication skills. The two-week residential camp is meant for students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. 
  
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  The Department of Defense’s Summer Bridge Program - a four week program for incoming Central State freshmen who have indicated an interest in the sciences. The program consists of lectures, laboratory work, computer instruction, and visits to advanced research laboratories. Students who complete the program are eligible for a $6,000 scholarship for each year of the four-year academic program at Central State (as long as they meet published academic standards). 
  
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  The West District Science Day – an outreach activity that  brings to campus 400-600 students and their teachers from K-12 schools throughout Southwest Ohio to present science projects. Students who become finalists compete in the State Science Fair and may compete in regional and international science competitions.
  
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  Project Succeed - an after-school educational enrichment program for at-risk fourth through twelfth grade students who attend Xenia Community Schools. Central State students work with the youth to build skills in reading, science, math, social studies, and foreign language. Area youth also get homework help, build new skills, and strengthen their sense of self-esteem and self-respect. The Project Succeed tutoring center is located in Wesley Hall.