Welcome to the Office of Diversity!

Mission Statement: The Office of Diversity’s mission is to support and advance all aspects of cultural diversity and social justice reflected in the University’s mission, values and Strategic Plan.

Receiving its charge from the Office of the President, the Office of Diversity is responsible for guiding Salisbury University’s diversity efforts through various initiatives that support the mission, vision and values of the university. These initiatives will enhance the campus climate, curriculum and co-curricular activities with respect to cultural diversity.

The Office of Diversity is responsible for reviewing and assessing the institutional Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunities policies and practices by partnering with various departments and schools offering implementation consulting.

The Office of Diversity engages in collaborative partnerships to develop strategies, programs and services that support institutional diversity initiatives such as retention of a diverse student body, faculty and professional staff on campus. In addition, the office offers assistance and support with diversity-related challenges and opportunities, providing direct support to the University’s Fair Practice’s Officer.

The Office of Diversity encourages lifelong learning and offers professional development opportunities for all faculty, professionals and staff, that include, but are not limited to, diversity awareness, intercultural communication, prevention of Sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination, and teaching in a multicultural classroom.

The Office of Diversity is located in Holloway Hall Room 134. All members of the campus community are encouraged to stop by the office for educational information, important updates and links to help maximize the wonderful cultural diversity Salisbury University has to offer!

Cultural Diversity:

At Salisbury University we welcome and accept cultural diversity in the broadest context so as to recognize, value and learn from all people of varying cultural backgrounds regardless of their age, class, citizenship, color, disability ethnicity, gender, genetic information, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status.

At Salisbury University, we believe that diversity should not stand alone. We define it in the social construction context of cultural diversity. Culture is a socially constructed phenomenon that demonstrates how we experience the world and act in it. Culture is fluid and dynamic, not static. Culture is learned and shared patterns of behavior and interpretations. A cultural group is defined as group of regularly interacting people with shared customs, language(s), values, rituals, rules, etc. Often, the way to act in a cultural group is assumed and hidden, presenting a challenge to someone from outside the cultural group.