A Timeline of Colorado State University's Commitment to Diversity
CSU's first graduating class in 1884 included Libbie Coy, a college instructor and pillar of the community. Today, diversity remains a top priority for the University.
Today, CSU Homecoming highlights the University's PACESETTERS. But royalty of the past included Trudi Morrison as CSU's first Black Homecoming Queen (Joe Rogers, who later became Deputy Governor for Colorado, was the first Black Homecoming King in the 1980s).
Kerr, a former CSU athlete, led protests that led to creation of Project GO, Black Student Services and El Centro. The office gained visibility beyond CSU and Fort Collins under Kerr's leadership.
In 1964, PROJECT GO aimed to help diverse and low-income students by providing academic support and financial aid to encourage them to pursue higher education.
CSU establishes the Office of Women's Relations to address women's concerns and provide a contemporary office in response to the Women's Liberation Movement and restructuring of Student Personnel Services.
ADA compliance mandates equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities, including accessible facilities and communications, by employers and businesses.
The Student Relations Department became responsible for ensuring compliance with the University's federal obligations for student needs under Section 504.
The NACC office was established in 1979 with a mission is to ensure a successful educational experience for students by providing support and services for students at CSU.
PROJECT GO became Group Advocacy Program with 5 offices: El Centro/Chicano Student Services, Black Student Services, Native American Student Services, Disabled Students Programs & Women’s Programs.
Following Abel Amaya's term as the Acting Director of Project GO's Chicano Student Services Program, Lawrence J. Estrada served as the director from its establishment in 1979 to 1989.
Resources for Disabled Students became a separate department with a director, staff assistant, and student staff. At the time, 178 students self-identified as having a disability.
During her tenure, new student organizations were added and existing ones revamped (e.g., Black Cable Television, Black Business Scholars Assoc., Big Brother/Sister, Black Campus Ministries, Black Alumni Network).
SAAS is established in response to a survey expressing the desire of CSU Asian Pacific American (APA) students to learn more about their Asian heritage and connect with other APA university members.
B/AACC's longest-serving director fostered partnerships with University departments, Athletics, admissions, the President’s office, other Universities & corporations. She is currently CSU's VP for Student Affairs.
Women's Interdisciplinary Studies Program joins the Office, becoming Women's Program and Studies with a cooperative agreement with Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for enhanced visibility and support.
November is Native American Heritage Month, celebrated with events on campus and in the community. NACC hosts activities to raise awareness of Native American history and culture.
In 1987, the Center became El Centro/Hispanic Student Services, emphasizing its Hispanic focus. In 2009, it was renamed El Centro, with Guadalupe Salazar appointed Director.
RDS moved to a larger office at 116 Student Services to serve 285 students with disabilities. Additionally, it had extra space for testing accommodations in the Student Services building.
Dr. Guadalupe Salazar led from 1989 to 2020, focusing on providing strong role models and creating a sense of belonging for students. Many students came to view El Centro as a home away from home.
Office of Women's Programs and Studies evolves, expanding programs such as Women at Noon and establishing the Kathryn T. Bohannon Fund. Leadership changes occur with the appointment of new directors.
To reflect the outreach to both mainland students and students from Hawaii.
CSU's Black Issues Forum partners with several university departments for a successful event. High school seniors are exposed to college life while discussing current Black social issues.
ASCSU and SOGLB proposed a GLBT Student Services office in 1997, leading to the creation of the LGBTQ+ Student Services at Colorado State with support from donors.
A/PASS moves from Aylesworth Hall to the Lory Student Center, coinciding with the devastating Flood in July 1997 that affected the Fort Collins and campus communities.
LGBTQ+ Student Services officially opened on August 1 in the Lory Student Center's basement. After moving to the main level five years later, contacts increased by 175% due to increased visibility.
From 1999 to 2003, Colorado State Alum and former CSU Homecoming King Joe Rogers serves as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado under Governor Bill Ritter.
Eagle Feather Tutoring offers free tutoring for core courses allowing students to find tutor schedules and reserve tutoring sessions at the NACC office.
North Star Peer Mentoring matches incoming first year and transfer students with upper class students. Mentors are invaluable resources during students’ transition to college life.
Charged to research, debate and advise University leadership on best practices to ensure diversity is central to operations and planning.
APASS becomes APACC and the Advocacy Cluster is renamed Student Diversity Programs and Services (SDPS) to better align with the students wanting more interaction amongst other centers and reflect a common community to serve students.
Mary Ontiveros, whose history and leadership spanned decades at Colorado State University, named as inaugural Vice President for Diversity.
The Office of Women's Programs and Studies becomes the Women and Gender Advocacy Center (WGAC), now a student service within Student Diversity Programs and Services (SDPS).
Specifically created to effectively address reported incidents of bias at the University; while deploying resources to manage incidents and emphasize institutional values and expectations.
The Group Advocacy Program became Student Diversity Programs and Services (SDPS). To signify unity, the seven diversity offices now were represented under the umbrella of SDPS.
Launched to assess employee perceptions of University workspaces and campus, this initial survey yielded outcomes including supervisor diversity and inclusion training programs.
Conducted biennially, the CSU's first employee survey highlighted the need for supervisor diversity and inclusion training. In response, CSU developed and implemented relevant training programs.
Initial Diversity and Inclusion Retreat set expectations for institutional focus on this essential area. The message to CSU leaders: “It begins with you.”
LSC Revitalization led to the renaming of the center to the LGBTQ+ Queer Questioning and Ally Resource Center. The office moved to the SDPS neighborhood on the main level post-renovation.
The Creating Inclusive Excellence Program is now offered every semester at Colorado State to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills on diversity and inclusion issues.
Summer training covers social justice education and inclusive policies/practices for participants. They learn how to infuse diversity and inclusion best practices into university life.
Formation of committee of campus representatives to begin drafting what would become Colorado State's Principles of Community.
Reconvened by the Commission on Women and Gender Equity, the committee offers professional development and community-building opportunities for women of color at Colorado State.
Every staff working on diversity and inclusion on campus is on this committee. Later replaced by the President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion under Tony Frank's leadership.
After the revitalization of the Lory Student Center, APACC moves into the current space in room 333 of the Lory Student Center, allowing for closer proximity to other Student Diversity Programs and Services (SDPS) centers and have a central location on campus.
Intended to create a learning environment for faculty to engage in topics of diversity and inclusion in pedagogy, curriculum and campus communities.
A framework for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. It offers a step-by-step process for creating an action plan and is used by educational institutions to improve inclusion.
CSU's Cabinet endorses 5 Principles of Community, which guide the university's governance and are quickly embraced and implemented campus-wide.
Official commissioning of Colorado State University President Tony Frank's President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.
After community involvement in renaming discussions, CSU's GLBTQQA Resource Center was renamed the "Pride Resource Center" to be more inclusive and accessible. The process took one year.
This fall, nerds of single-call restrooms throughout campus are converted to be "All Gender."
In 2010, there were 1,300 students with disabilities and 29 staff in the department. In 2017, over 2,300 students with disabilities or chronic health conditions were identified.
CSU Cabinet approves policy to eliminate barriers to full community access & enjoyment of CSU facilities, education, and information.
CSU's President Office and VP for Diversity host 1st Amendment Conversation Series including presidential panel & breakout sessions on free speech, hate speech & First Amendment.
The office name changes from Resources for Disabled Students to the Student Disability Center, moves to a new location in the TILT building and increases staff.
VP for Diversity Office welcomes Women & Gender Collaborative to the team, which connects & promotes campus efforts to improve gender culture & make CSU a top place for women to work and learn.
The Student Disability Center was launched in 1978. To celebrate the occasion, the SDC hosted a Celebration on March 8, 2019 for students, faculty and staff to celebrate this milestone.
During COVID lockdown, Dr. Salazar completes her decades-long tenure at CSU, expressing regret over being unable to celebrate the community's accomplishments in person.
To provide confidential services to students during quarantine, due to its success, will become a staple in future services.
After Salazar's retirement, Dora Frias became director. Frias had been championing the Latinx/e, queer, trans, and undocumented communities at CSU since 2017 and continued to do so as director.
In August, 2021, Kauline Cipriani, PhD, joined CSU as Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, renaming the division from the Office of the Vice President for Diversity to the Office for Inclusive Excellence.
El Centro redesigns its logo and space to be inclusive of the Latinx/e diaspora based on student feedback. The center previously focused only on Chicano/Mexican identity.
Mary Ontiveros, CSU's inaugural VP for Diversity, was honored by renaming the Latinx/e Faculty Staff award after her upon retirement in Spring 2021.
Pride hosted a section of CSU's New Student Success seminar for LGBTQ+ new and transfer students, helping them transition to CSU with a focus on LGBTQ+ experiences.
Pride held the first year of Rams In Q/mmunity Mentoring, the only program on campus for mentoring and student success focused on LGBTQ+ students. The program had three mentors and 15 students.
The B/AACC office’s signature annual event partnered with the alumni and development offices to celebrate student academic and involvement achievements, award scholarships, and welcome alumni.
Elizabeth Amoa-Awuah, Assistant Director of Educational Programs, received this prestigious award for outstanding contributions to sexual assault prevention and education in Colorado.
WGAC was selected as a Member Program Spotlight, which honors programmatic efforts of organizations in Colorado.
Requests for disability accommodations continue to grow as more University facilities return to in-person operations post-pandemic, following a substantial increase in pre-pandemic demand.
The inaugural Breakthrough Burnout Program helped students navigate stress during the post-pandemic period by incorporating active destress methods of engagements including painting, plants, yoga, rage room, massages, and counseling support.
With the support from a Fort Collins citizen, Fort Collins designates May as Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, recognizing APACC's role in fostering cultural awareness and appreciation. This is the first time APACC has been recognized for providing Heritage month events, even though the center has provided programs since spring 1985.
Pride held its first Winter Lavender Graduation in 2021, honoring ten graduates. The Spring Lavender Graduation recognized 50 graduating students, double the previous years' reach.
Cultural and Resource Centers moved from the Division of Student Affairs to Office for Inclusive Excellence
Increased support of survivors by 27 percent from 279 to 355 people with 961 hours of service.
Former Assistant Director Duan Ruff returns as director of the Black/African American Cultural Center.
Advocates referred 86 survivors to police. WGAC's police referral numbers continue to be significantly higher than the national average.
The Pride Resource Center trained 1,302+ people in educational programming, including 837 participants in Safe Zone, a significant increase from 350-400 in previous years.
The inaugural Ramadan Iftar event showcased student leadership and support from various CSU- and community-related organizations, attracting over 200 attendees.
The Cultural Centers at Colorado State add "Resource" to their names to round out the offerings to students, faculty, staff and community.
After Frias left, Aaron Escobedo Garmon, former CSU's Key Communities and Community for Excellence member, became El Centro's interim director, pledging to sustain and expand its initiatives.