The office of equity and diversity is looking for ideas that will promote diversity at Buffalo State College. These ideas, if approved, may be funded by mini-grants available through the office for the upcoming fall semester.

Dr. Dolores E. Battle, senior adviser to the president for equity and campus diversity said, “The purpose of the grants is to encourage faculty, students and staff to create projects that will support the diversity goals of the campus.”

The president's office wants to establish an atmosphere to encourage compliance, equity and diversity. The compliance aspect is to enforce state and federal affirmative action laws and equal employment opportunities for each race, sex, ethnicity and religious background. The equity and diversity areas services and programs to help students and faculty be more successful in promoting diversity and dealing with issues about it.

“We want to remove the stigma that this office is only about affirmative action, it is more positive to focus on creating an atmosphere where everyone is valued and supported,” said Battle.

There are about 10 mini-grants available each year from $500 to $1,500 depending on the project's merit. These funds can be used for various resources, other than food or beverage purchase. Each project must be accessible to and have a measurable impact on a majority of the students.

This year's mini-grants helped to support a wide variety of programs including:

• The 14 th Annual Native American Heritage Celebration Month www.buffalostate.edu/
  bengalnews/apr2304/native.htm

• Take a Walk “In Their Shoes,” office of disability
• China in the Past 100 Years fashion show
• Austin Clarke reading and class visits
• 19 th century Native American leaders: Ely Parker & Caroline Mt. Pleasant
• presentations by author Pat Mora
• Successful Women's Forum
• A visit with poet Toyomi Igus
• Black Active Minds, Maya Angelou
• Real World, Lesbian and Gay perspectives

The office is also responsible for The Student's Award for Promotion of Respect for Diversity and Individual Differences. This award has students submit an essay of at least 250 words describing the ways their professor has encouraged diversity in the classroom. Battle feels that this award is a positive way of encouraging teachers to incorporate cultural awareness and respect into their teaching goals.