The campus climate survey has been organized for one purpose: to improve the climate of Penn State McKeesport.  Sometime in March, students and faculty and staff will be asked to take part in an anonymous survey which will collect information about their perceptions of the Penn State McKeesport environment.
   “Our goal is to see where there are problems on the campus regarding racism, discrimination towards religion and sexual orientation,” says Dr. Patrick Boyle, who is in charge of handling students for the survey.  “What I think this survey will tell us, is what type of diversity programs we need to help solve the problems, if there are any.”
   The committee consisting of Dr. Margaret Signorella, Dr. Patrick Boyle, Kirk Urey, and students of different races, is working on different outlets for students to take the survey.  “We’re going to use different ways to get the survey out.”  Boyle explains.  “We’re thinking about picking a class period time where there are more students around, and asking the teachers to allow students to take this survey.  We’re also going to ask the Ra's for their support in distributing copies of the survey in the residence halls”.
   Although on-campus students, are easier to access, it’s the off-campus students that concern the committee.  There are currently talks of having the survey posted online, and even an activity event outside for students to participate in.
   The survey-which is entirely anonymous-will ask a series of questions such as “The classroom climate at my campus is accepting of  “who am I” True or False?”  It also asks you as an individual how likely you are to: “repeat a derogatory comment or joke about gays, lesbians, or bisexuals,” or “getting to know people from different cultures and groups as individuals.”
   “After the surveys is conducted it will be taken up to University Park to be evaluated,” states Kirk Urey.  “Afterwards, UP will give us a summary report.” 
   If there is an analysis of discrimination of any sort.  PSM is ready to act upon it.  “It’s hard to say exactly what we’re going to do until we see the information.  If there is discrimination, of course we’re going to try our best on desensitization.”
   Adds Patrick Boyle, “The survey will tell us what kind of diversity programs we need to settle whatever discrimination there is.  I think the McKeesport campus is a campus with a lot of diversity.  One of my goals is to get people talking across differences.  I like to focus on the commonalities, not the differences between people.”         
   What’s happening on campus.... ‘campus climate’ continue.

Diversity Program Schedule

* February 6th-The Jackie Wade Diversity Workshop-12:15 in the BUB

*February 15th-Metamorphosis, “Strange like Me” Theatre Presentation-12:15 in the BUB

* February 23-25th-Jubilee: Christian Education and Diversity Conferences-All day in the Hilton.

*March 22nd-Lou Anna Caligiuri, Community Building and Diversity

*March 27th-Kuntu Repertoire Theatre, “Keepers of the Dream”-7:30pm in the BUB

*April 3rd-Greg Kenney, “The Door was Closed: The Josh Gibson Story”-12:15 in the BUB

*April 12th-Rodney Altemose: Leadership and Diversity Development Workshop