Inclusion, Belonging, and Social Equity
President’s MessageThroughout my career, I have been a champion of human rights, a stalwart supporter of equal opportunity to education, and a bulwark against all forms of discrimination. My door is always open to discuss new ways each of us in the community can hold each other accountable for creating a sense of belonging and inclusion on campus and beyond. Please explore the Office of Equity and Inclusion webpage and links for resources and information on how we can continue to grow, together, as "One Campus, Many Cultures." Dr. Charles Patterson |
The Office of Inclusion, Belonging, and Social Equity assists the university in ensuring equal opportunity and access to educational, employment, and contract opportunities for all persons including students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The university will make every effort to provide these opportunities to all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, or veteran status. This applies to all members of the university community, all applicants for admission or employment and all participants in university-sponsored activities.
Land Acknowledgement
We are located on Susquehannock land, land that originally belonged to the Seneca-Cayuga Nation . We remain committed to working alongside their elders and youth to restore the sovereignty of all Indigenous and First Nation peoples
What is a Land Acknowledgment Statement? A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional occupants of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
Why does Shippensburg University acknowledge the land? To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous people who cared for our land prior to and through European colonialism. Land acknowledgments do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is worth stating that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol.