University Commissions and Committees
Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity
http:///www.equity.psu.edu/clgbte
Created in 1991, the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity is an advisory group to the President. The purpose of the Commission is to improve the climate for diversity within Penn State and specifically to address issues affecting the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the University community.
Penn State offers benefit eligible employees the opportunity to extend various benefits and policies to same-sex domestic partners. This includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Visit the website for more information about benefits for domestic partners.
Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity
http://www.equity.psu.edu/cored
The Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity (CORED) was appointed in 1989 as a University-wide advisory body to the President of Penn State in matters relating to racial and ethnic diversity. CORED also serves as a resource for all University departments and individuals seeking to improve Penn State's climate for diversity. The Commission is dedicated to enhancing the University's climate for diversity at all its locations in the Commonwealth.
Commission for Women
http://www.equity.psu.edu/cfw
Since 1981, the Commission for Women has identified areas of concern for the women employees and students of Penn State. It is a forum for exchanging ideas that can translate into improved practices to support women at Penn State. Its membership represents every employ (Commission for Women cont.)
category faculty, exempt and non-exempt staff, technical service and administrative, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The President appoints the members of the commission as an advisory group to recommend policies and programs to enhance the University's working and learning environments. Anyone can get involved in the commission's activities as an affiliate member.
Equal Opportunity Planning Committee
http://www.equity.psu.edu/eopc
The mission of the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee (EOPC) is to promote greater equity for historically underrepresented groups within the University and/or those groups that have been historical targets of discrimination. EOPC was formed in 1983 as a response to a desegregation mandate issued by the U.S. Department of Education to all public institutions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; further, EOPC is an outgrowth of Penn State's strategic planning goal to become "a caring University community that provides leadership for constructive participation in a diverse, multicultural world."