The heart of the Division of Student Affairs is its commitment to the elimination of racism, sexism, homophobia and ablism.

Valuing diversity means accepting and respecting differences. People come from very different backgrounds, and their customs, thoughts, ways of communicating, values, traditions, and institutions vary accordingly. The choices that individuals make are powerfully affected by culture. Cultural experiences influence choices that range from recreational activities to subjects of study. Even how one chooses to define family is determined by culture. In matrilineal societies, a child's maternal uncle plays a central role in care taking. It is common for the father to reside in another domicile, minimizing his role in raising his wife's children. Such a practice may be unfamiliar to people who define family patrilineally. If a child's uncle from a matrilineal culture responded to a call from school, it may be important to know that his culture defines family according to this structure. By accepting this cultural practice, this school can maximize its relationship with the child's family.

Diversity between cultures must be recognized, but also the diversity within them. Individuals are exposed to many different cultures. School, television, books, and other activities present opportunities for multicultural exposure. People generally assume a common culture is shared between members of racial, linguistic, and religious groups. The larger group may share common historical and geographical experiences. However, individuals may share nothing beyond similar physical appearance, language, or spiritual beliefs.

NCSU Counseling Center on Diversity and Multicultural Competency

• Our counselors work regularly with students from diverse backgrounds and attend to issues of diversity and their impact on student identity and development, self-esteem, and academic adjustment.

• NCSU Counseling Center fully embraces the university’s commitment to creating a welcoming and diverse community.

• Our staff are especially sensitive to issues of diversity and their influence on student adjustment, identity, and growth. We are committed to providing services for issues relative to diversity (e.g., multiculturalism, gender, lesbian / gay / bisexual / transgender, religion, disability, and/or race) with an emphasis on appreciating the impact of individual differences.

• Our staff continue to develop themselves professionally by participating in training and programs designed to enhance our understanding and needs of diverse people.

NC State is committed to celebrating diversity and creating a rich, diverse environment for students. It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to provide equality of opportunity in education and employment for all students and employees. Accordingly, the university does not practice or condone unlawful discrimination in any form against students, employees or applicants on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Nor does the university allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, with respect to internal university matters that do not contravene federal or state law and that do not interfere with the University's relationships with outside organizations, including the federal government, the military, ROTC, and private employers.

NCSU Links:

Office of Diversity and African American Affairs

Multicultural Student Affairs

Office of Scholar and Student Services

Office of Disability Services for Students

The Women's Center

Project Safe

Office for Equal Opportunity

Other Useful Sites:

Unpacking the Knapsack of White Privilege

Racism

Stop the Hate