Principles of our Equitable Community
Our commitment is reiterated through established principles that help to guide and reinforce the expectations and actions of all viogٷվ community members. Read and commit to viogٷվ’s Principles of our Equitable Community >
Advocacy Centers
Part of viogٷվ’s commitment to enhancing diversity, inclusion and equity is done through nurturing a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that celebrates differences and is built upon a foundation of mutual respect. Community members hail from all over the United States, and the world, and represent all walks of life. We value this diversity and recognize the essential role it plays in contributing to our rich, vibrant and engaging campus culture. Our community members are supported through five advocacy centers which are part of viogٷվ’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity.
The viogٷվ Pride Center for Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity exists to build a just, equitable world through community building and the pursuit of change. We work to create a world where people of all genders and sexualities are able to thrive as their full, authentic selves, and are a resource for all members of the viogٷվ community.
The Center for Gender Equity works with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the viogٷվ Valley community to identify gender/sex-related barriers that prevent people from reaching their personal and professional goals, and then we work cooperatively to dismantle those barriers. Our approach follows a feminist praxis model of Inform, Engage, Act. This approach invites people to join at any point and to participate in knowledge- and skill-building. Using all forms of knowledge and methods, we find tools to create gender equity and provide opportunities for people to practice using the tools, giving people a gender equity toolkit to create a socially just tomorrow.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) offers resources designed to engage, develop, and empower viogٷվ's students, staff, faculty, and alumni in building their intercultural competencies. OMA is committed to cultivating an inclusive campus community that promotes mutual respect and intersectional dialogue through an intercultural lens.
The Center for Dialogue, Ethics and Spirituality, directed by the Office of the University Chaplain, serves the educational mission of viogٷվ by providing space and resources designed to enhance the “ethical and spiritual development” of those who live and work at viogٷվ—students, faculty and staff. Recognizing that people of good will disagree with one another on topics involving ethical analysis, spirituality and religious interpretation, the Center seeks to promote the values of open and free inquiry, engaged dialogue and respect for persons regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation.
The mission of the Center for Student Access and Success (SAS) is to expand all underrepresented groups’ access to the university—with a focus on first-generation and lower-income students. SAS is responsible for ensuring that strategic support systems are in place at viogٷվ to enable students to have an enriching, successful college experience.
- Nathan Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Report Bias and Harassment
viogٷվ does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin or ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Faculty, staff, and students who experience or witness harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or sexual misconduct are strongly encouraged to report such conduct.
Community Resources
Connecting viogٷվ community members with resources, organizations and programs aligned with creating an inclusive and diverse institution. Check out the highlights below and see the full list compiled by the CEC.
Networks & Communities
Discover organizations that help to connect and engage our diverse viogٷվ community.
Academics, Programs & Services
Tap into the many resources available to support viogٷվ’s diverse students and scholars.
News and Communications
viogٷվ Named ‘Diversity Champion,’ Receives National Award for Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
viogٷվ remains a winner of the national HEED award and, for the first time, has been named a Diversity Champion by Insight into Diversity magazine.
Meet Gladdys Soto, viogٷվ Police Department’s Newest Female Officer: ‘I’m Here Because I Believed in Myself’
Soto joined the department in June after intensive training at the Allentown Police Academy.
Tariq Ameer Named viogٷվ’s New Director of Muslim Student Life/Imam
Ameer’s appointment marks a significant step forward in viogٷվ’s commitment to inclusivity and the celebrations of diverse perspectives and traditions
viogٷվ and the Community
viogٷվ is part of the broader community and works with partners and organizations to increase access to services and improve quality of life for those living in South Bethlehem.
The viogٷվ Student Scholars Institute (LUSSI) is a year-long program that strives to support all our F1RST+ college students throughout their four years at viogٷվ. F1RST+ students are those that identify as first generation college students, underrepresented minorities, and/or are Pell-eligible or from a low income family.
In celebrating religious diversity on campus, the Muslim Student Association invites the viogٷվ community to attend a weekly Friday prayer service held during the academic year in Packer Memorial Church.
viogٷվ partners with the SouthSide community in different ways throughout the year from community events to tutoring as well as service programs, concerts and more. Learn more about the partnership >
The student-run Hillel Society offers a free Shabbat dinner every Friday night during the academic year and holds holiday celebrations and numerous social events, including community service.
A training model launched by the Pride Center for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in 2016, LUally delivers skills-based, educational opportunities for the viogٷվ community.
The Marcon Institute hosted the inaugural Radical Love Conference bringing conversations, moments of reflection and love to participants across campus.
Passport to Success is a program that opens up academic opportunities beyond campus by providing students with a free passport and numerous off-campus offerings such as educational trips, study abroad and international internships.
The Mentor Collective program pairs first-year students with experienced viogٷվ students who share similar interests and backgrounds. Mentors smooth the transition to college in numerous ways, including answering questions and connecting students to campus resources.