Equity Resources

The College of Science Diversity Action Plan – Embedding Equity, Access and Inclusion – launched in October 2021 recognizes and centers the relationship between advancing our college’s strategic mission and valuing, nurturing and engaging all members of the College of Science community, particularly and especially community members holding minoritized identities.

Some known resources for students and employees are included here and more will be added as they are developed and/or we become aware of them as relevant. As the resources for students are listed first, employees can scroll past those to find the resources for employees.

Resources for students

In this section are listings of some College of Science and campus resources for promoting the inclusion and success of students from minoritized groups. Sections below include (1) select College of Science scholarships, (2) university-wide programs, (3) a set of seven OSU cultural centers aimed at providing students ethnic, cultural, or identity-based communities and (4) two culturally-based living learning communities. If you have suggestions for additional resources to list here or other comments, please let us know using our feedback form.

Scholarships to support equity and inclusion

The College of Science sponsors a number of donor and alumni-supported scholarships to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students in STEM majors. The merit and need-based scholarships have advanced diversity, equity and inclusivity in the College.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE Science)

The College’s flagship summer research scholarship SURE Science awards undergraduate scholarships of $5,060 each for intensive summer research in STEM fields to a large proportion of students of color. SURE science awards are made possible by generous donations of College of Science alumni, faculty and supporters.

Equity Promise Scholarship

The Equity Promise Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who may have experienced sudden, extreme circumstances or life events that may hold up their progress to continue or complete their degree at OSU. Students may be nominated or request aid themselves.

Health and Access Resources

Oregon State University provides mental health counseling, survivor support, accommodations for disability, advocacy, outreach and education to all OSU community members. We do this in order to (1) facilitate academic success, mental health, and personal development and (2) promote a culture of positive mental health at OSU.

Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Education (CAPE)

The Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Education serves as a first point of contact for survivors and their allies. We provide information about survivors’ choices and their rights, referrals to other services, and support for their right to regain control over their lives. Any form of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or bullying can have a profound and harmful impact. CAPE is committed to listening, believing and supporting survivors and providing resources to aid in the healing process. CAPE believes in the value of all persons and their right to make their own choices.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

The staff at CAPS are committed professionals with particular expertise in the concerns of college students. Our staff includes Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Pre-doctoral Residents completing the final stages of their doctoral training in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Psychiatric Residents, and Master's students in Counselor Education. CAPS is strongly committed to affirming diversity in a broad sense, to treating all with dignity and respect, and to opposing discrimination, prejudice, and oppression.

Disability Access Services (DAS)

Disability Access Services provides accommodations, education, consultation and advocacy for qualified students with disabilities at Oregon State University. DAS works with students at OSU, OSU-Cascades, across Oregon and around the world through the OSU E-campus program. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the student’s documented disability and its functional impacts. Visit the DAS webpage for more information on available accommodations.

Resources for College employees

Inclusive Excellence at Oregon State University (IE@OSU) supports groups of 20 faculty annually from OSU and nearby community colleges, including Lane and Linn-Benton, have formed a professional learning community to develop and apply new culturally responsive strategies in the courses they teach. The selected faculty participated in an initial 40-hour summer academy on inclusive STEM pedagogies and individual course redesign

ADVANCE– Funded by NSF, ADVANCE is aimed at increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers, thereby developing a more diverse science and engineering workforce.

Difference, Power, Discrimination Program – This program works with faculty across all fields and disciplines at Oregon State University to develop inclusive curricula that address institutionalized systems of power, privilege, and inequity in the United States.

Enhancing STEM Education at OSU – This NSF-funded project is focusing on increasing the use of evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs) to enhance the effectiveness of STEM classes.

Accommodations for Disabilities.Oregon State University strives to be a fully inclusive education community and recognizes that what non-disabled individuals view as conveniences may present serious barriers for disabled individuals. In order to provide accommodations, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) works with employees, their supervisors, and potentially other appropriate administrative units to determine what kind of accommodation can be made. EOA will also assist departments in securing resources for accommodations.