Office for Equal Opportunity
North Carolina
State University

Location & Hours
1 Holladay Hall
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

Mailing Address
Campus Box 7530
Raleigh, NC
27695-7530

Phone Numbers
Main: 919-515-3148
Fax: 919-513-1428
TTY: 919-515-9617

Equal_Op - August, 2004 - Volume 5, #1

The Equal Opportunity Institute: Making a Difference: Multi-Faceted Program Passes Five-Year Mark, Earns Praise

In May, the Equal Opportunity Institute (EOI) celebrated its fifth graduation. Thirty participants graduated from this one-year program that focuses on increasing knowledge of equal opportunity issues. This year, graduates included NC State faculty, staff, and students, as well as community participants.

The Equal Opportunity Institute first graduated 10 participants in the year 2000. The program has grown and developed each year, adding new workshops, opportunities for reflection, a website, and much more. EOI was originally developed to provide information and training to Affirmative Action Officers, Affirmative Action Contacts, and Personnel Representatives but has grown to touch individuals in all areas across campus. The knowledge participants gain reaches beyond North Carolina as student participants take their experiences into workplaces.

There are now over 100 graduates of EOI who are making a difference on campus and in the community. These Institute graduates have all completed a minimum of ten workshops and earned three Continuing Education Unit credits. All graduates also completed a journal reflecting on their experiences, knowledge, and skills gained through participating in EOI. The following are a few comments from this year's reflection journals:

“I find myself making fewer assumptions about other people. I tend to ask more questions about other peoples’ motives instead of judging them and their choices.”

“I felt drafted by my department to participate in a program I had never heard of, or even knew existed. After being involved, I was elated to have been awarded the opportunity to participate. EOI deals with real issues, real facts, and unfortunately, real situations, which still exist today. This institute guides you briefly through the EEOC laws, educates you on how to apply these laws, and lists your rights that are protected through these laws. Through EOI I have gained a network of people I can use for future references as I continue my career at NCSU.”

“As a result of these classes, I have been granted greater responsibility in my position, which I think speaks volumes for the Institute!”

“After completing the communication and cultural diversity training courses offered through EOI, I have seen a tremendous improvement in my communication skills. In my residence hall, I have been able to use my diversity training to resolve, and many times avoid, the misunderstandings and confrontation that are a result of differences in culture and/or gender.”

“Now that I have attended EOI, I don't have to challenge based on emotions. Now, I can state my positions based on law and research. This institute makes me more powerful.”

Congratulations to the 2004 Equal Opportunity Institute Graduates

Congratulations to the 2004 graduates of the Equal Opportunity Institute! Dr. José Picart, Vice Provost of Diversity & African American Affairs, was the featured speaker at this year's celebration. He shared insights from All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things. Author Robert Fulghum illustrated the value of everyone and every thing by contrasting his neighbor's perception of dandelions as weeds with his own perception of dandelions as valuable gifts that provide food, medicine, beauty, and other benefits.

The graduates are: Seun Adeyemi-Bello, Continuing Education, Rhonda Batts, RMIS, Donna Burton, Undergraduate Affairs, Betty Byrum, DELTA, Swarn Chhabra, University Housing, Kristina Coxe, College of Veterinary Medicine, Donna Dupree, Student, Training and Organizational Development, Cheryl Eatmon, College of Design, Joshua Elmore, Student, Criminology, Lisa Franceschi, Student, Human Resources/Marketing, Amber Fuehrer, Student, Business Management concentrating in Human Resources, Donna Grundy, Internal Audit, Cynthia Hall, Disability Services for Students, Margo Hickman, University Housing, Shirill Hicks, Advancement Services, Leila Jabbar, OEO, Betsy Kaplan, University Housing, Rosemary King, Internal Audit, Amanda Mastropolo, IBM, Mary Mroczka, FCTL, Jonathan Phillips, CALS, Terry Price, Finance and Business, Andre Richardson, University Housing, ReGina Royster, University Housing, Alison Stephenson, CALS, Melissa (Mel) Stoss, CALS, Toni Thorpe, Diversity and African American Affairs, Katie Uhrin, Student, Counselor Education, Jami Williams, Student, Business Marketing Education and Business Management, and April Wilson, Textiles.

Congratulations to all our graduates. If you are interested in participating, see www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/eoi. Applications for 2004-2005 are now online. For more information, contact Beverly Jones Williams at beverly_williams@ncsu.edu or 919-513-3836. n

Photo: EOI participant Alison Stephenson of CALS receives her graduation certificate from Vice Provosts José Picart and Joanne Woodard at the 2004 EOI Graduation Celebration.

Ricky Lee Provides a Model Solution

Ricky Lee is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and a 1997 graduate of NC State with a degree in Mathematics, Science & Technology Education. In August 2002, after serving a brief stint as a Public Health Training Assistant for the Physically Disabled program at Falls Church High School in Falls Church, Virginia, Ricky became a member of the Disability Services for Students (DSS) staff as the Assistant Coordinator of Assistive and Information Technology. He now serves as the Coordinator of Assistive Technology.

Ricky's job is to ensure that technology accommodations for students with disabilities are met. The term “assistive technology,” as defined in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, means “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”

Recently, Ricky had the task of increasing the functional capabilities of a student with blindness enrolled in MA 242 – Calculus III. Ricky looked for ways to use technology to introduce the visual aspects of this mathematics course for this student with blindness. After much research, Ricky determined that the most effective accommodation for representing visual mathematical concepts would be to build three-dimensional models. Ricky sought the help of John Tector, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Design, who introduced Ricky to two graduate students, Jesse Crossen and Chuck Messer, to make it happen.

Crossen and Messer made models of a hyperbolic paraboloid and a hyperboloid of one sheet. The process began with the two graduate students first designing the models in a software program and then producing an .stl file. The .stl or stereolithography format is an ASCII or binary file used in manufacturing. It is a list of the triangular surfaces that describe a computer generated solid model. The models were then printed on a 3D printer that builds the models, layer by layer, out of a starch material. On the hyperbolic paraboloid, Crossen and Messer were able to extrude grid lines and Braille labels of the X and Y axes on the model. This attention to detail helped give meaning to the model.

It was Ricky Lee's dedication to providing access to the educational environment for students with disabilities that led him to seek an effective and creative solution from another university unit. And that solution, experienced by the student for the first time, enhanced his learning and understanding of these very visual aspects of calculus. Job well done!

Programming Notes

New Study Circles to Begin in Fall

The Office for Equal Opportunity is again sponsoring “Study Circles on Race and Ethnicity” at NC State. The Study Circles Program is part of a nationwide effort to address racism by providing a simple way to involve community members in dialogue and action. It began on campus in the spring of 2003.

National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI)

NCBI is an international, non-profit leadership organization that assists a broad range of organizations in creating more inclusive environments. NC State is a campus affiliate of NCBI. As an affiliate, we are able to present the award-winning NCBI models and processes on our campus. We have a team of NCBI facilitators that present an interactive workshop designed to celebrate similarities and differences, identify misinformation about other groups, gain empowerment by learning ways to challenge bigoted comments, and much more. If you would like to attend this perspective-changing workshop or become involved with the NCBI team, visit www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/ncbi or contact Beverly Jones Williams at beverly_williams@ncsu.edu or 919-513-3836.

One Voice: Bethany Schreiner of DSS

In this issue, we interview Bethany Schreiner, an NC State undergraduate who works in the Disability Services for Students Office.

Equal_Op: Please tell us a little about yourself and how you have worked with DSS.

Bethany Schreiner: I'm originally from Pittsburgh, PA. I'm a senior in Business Management. I eventually want to graduate and hopefully pursue a career in Health Administration. I've worked for DSS for two summers. I'm a mentor to students with low vision or blindness who are participating in the TULE Program. Basically, my job is to help make the students’ transition from high school to college a little easier. I try to expose the students to as many campus resources as I can during the program. The students and I meet with representatives from the Undergraduate Tutorial Center, the Career Resources Center, Campus Safety, the University Libraries, Campus Transportation, University Housing, etc. I also try to get the students to attend several social activities on campus as well. This summer we are going to attend ballroom dancing classes, a rock climbing clinic, and aerobics classes at the gym. In addition, I meet with the students at least once a week for lunch at one of the University Dining locations. During these sessions, we talk about how things are going with the program, and I take suggestions about other campus activities they would like to attend. Working for the TULE Program has been a great experience. I'm very grateful that I've been given the opportunity to work with such amazing students.

Equal_Op: How did you happen to come to work for NC State's Disability Services for Students office?

Bethany Schreiner: I am legally blind due to a rare degenerative disease called Stargardt's Disease. I have been registered with DSS for four years. I spend a lot of time using the assistive technology in the AT lab at DSS. One day while I was studying in the lab, Dr. Branker approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping with the TULE Program. I immediately accepted her offer. The TULE Program is a great program. I feel honored to be part of it.

Equal_Op: What have you found particularly rewarding about working in DSS?

Bethany Schreiner: Watching students excel in their classes. On a daily basis, students registered with DSS prove that “Disability does not equal inability.” It's truly inspiring. It makes me love to come to work every day.

Equal_Op: What are some aspects of DSS that you wish students and/or faculty were more knowledgeable about?

Bethany Schreiner: I wish more students and faculty knew that DSS is here to help. I have watched DSS employees get together with many students and their professors, not only to help the student, but to help the faculty member as well. DSS wants to teach faculty how to succeed in accommodating students with disabilities, as well as help students gain access to all of the information and knowledge faculty have to offer.

OEO Resource Directory

Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO)
1 Holladay Hall
Campus Box 7530
919-515-3148
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op

Disability Services for Students (DSS)
1900 Student Health Center
Campus Box 7509
919-515-7653
www.ncsu.edu/dss

Disability Hotline
To report a disability or accommodation issue or concern, send email to ADAHotline@ncsu.edu.

Harassment Complaints
For help with a harassment concern, contact Dr. Rhonda Sutton at 919-513-1234 or rhonda_sutton@ncsu.edu. [Update as of 11/2006: For help with a harassment concern, contact Amy Circosta at 919-513-1234 or amy_circosta@ncsu.edu.] You can also submit a harassment complaint online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/harassment/
harassment_complaint_form.html, or send email to report_harassment@ncsu.edu.

Hiring Procedures & Search Committee Orientations
If you are beginning a new search for a position, OEO encourages you to call 919-515-3148 to schedule a search committee orientation.

Training & Workshops
For information about our workshops and course offerings, please see www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education.html or contact Beverly Jones Williams at 919-513-3836.

Faculty Exit Interviews
If you are a departing faculty member, please contact Dr. Rhonda Sutton at 919-513-1234 to schedule your exit interview. [Update as of 2/2007: For your exit interview, please contact Carson C. Cook at 919-513-2099 or carson_cook@ncsu.edu.]

About Equal_Op
This newsletter is published by the Office for Equal Opportunity at NC State University. It is available online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/pubs.html and in alternate formats upon request.

If you have questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity at 919-515-3148 or by email.