The City University of New York is conducting a study to examine the effectiveness of its faculty recruitment and diversity activities over the past 10 years.  This study will also assess the experiences of underrepresented faculty and identify the best recruitment and retention practices within the University and at peer institutions.  The goals of the study are to develop a framework for improving the representation and experience of underrepresented groups and to strengthen the climate for diversity and inclusion across the University.

As part of this study, the consulting firm Cambridge Hill Partners will facilitate a number of faculty focus groups to identify a range of ideas and actions in support of an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace for all groups at the University.  The groups will also help the University to understand if experiences differ based on aspects of identity.  To that end, focus groups will be organized around the following identities:

African-American/Black
Asian
Caucasian/White
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered/Queer
Hispanic/Latino
Individuals with Disabilities
Italian American
Male
Female

I ask for your participation in one of these focus groups.  Each focus group meets once and only for two hours.  The complete focus group schedule is included below.

Anyone interested in participating in a focus group should email Jenny Hua at [email protected] and indicate a group preference (e.g. Female).  Also, please feel free to share information with others who may be interested in participating.

Thank you for your assistance.

http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/-news/medal-freedom-recipient-sylvia-mendez-ready-her-closeup

Today at 1:30 p.m. President Obamawill place the Medal of Freedom on civil rights and education activist Sylvia Mendez for her work as a Latino education activist. We spoke to the Washington, DC–bound Mendez as she prepared to leave her home in Santa Ana, California, where 64 years ago her parents lead the landmark school desegregation case Mendez v. Westminster that paved the way for the integration of California schools, and later, schools nationwide.

This is a beautiful example of a MexiRican family fighting for civil rights. Sylvia Mendez’ father, Gonzalo Méndez was Mexican and her mother Felicitas, was a native of Puerto Rico. They settled in Westminster, California, in 1943.

The CUNY Pipeline Program is designed to provide educational and financial support to underrepresented CUNY undergraduates interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in preparation for college-level teaching and advanced research in any discipline except law and medicine. The CUNY Pipeline Program seeks to recruit students from groups currently underrepresented in our nation’s universities.

The CUNY Pipeline Program provides orientation to the academic profession through a six week summer research institute at The Graduate Center and research projects conducted with doctoral faculty. In the summer institute fellows: take a 4-credit research seminar that orients them to academia, participate in workshops on applying to graduate school, and attend workshops in preparation for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Fellows report on their research project at the annual CUNY Pipeline Conference held at The Graduate Center and submit a written senior thesis at the end of the academic year.

Financial Support
CUNY Pipeline Fellows receive $1,500 as a summer stipend, $750 to cover graduate school application fees; $750 for participation in the annual conference; reimbursement of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) fee and another $850 for completion of the senior thesis. A transitional allowance of $1,000 is awarded to students who accept admission into a PhD program.

Eligibility Requirements
An interest in pursuing a career in college teaching and research.
Minimum GPA of 3.2.
Students must be scheduled to graduate in Spring of their senior year
Lower Junior enrolled in one of CUNY’s senior colleges who have earned at least 80 credits by the spring of the junior year.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be a full time registered student in one of the CUNY senior colleges.
Application Deadline Monday, March 7, 2011

http://web.gc.cuny.edu/oeodp/pipeline.asp

The CUNY Science Undergraduate Research Program – Student Research – CUNY.

The City University of New York’s 2011 Summer Undergraduate Research Program invites applications from talented undergraduates interested in research careers in the sciences or engineering.

The ten-week program runs from June 6 – August 12, 2011. All undergraduates completing their sophomore or junior year may apply. The program offers a practical research experience and is open to students interested in key research areas in the biological, physical and chemical sciences and in engineering. These areas may include energy technologies, nanoscience, photonics, environmental science, neuroscience, and structural biology among others. In accordance with their expressed scientific interests, successful applicants will be matched with a faculty mentor at one of the CUNY senior colleges.

Benefits include a stipend of $3,500 (taxable) and a monthly New York City Transit Metro Card.

The application deadline is March 1, 2011.

Click on the link for additional information:
http://www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2011/02/01/statement-by-chancellor-matthew-goldstein-on-the-new-york-state-executive-budget-for-2011-12/