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February 22, 2002

Purdue celebrates diversity through Project Respect

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University will celebrate its diversity Sunday (2/24) through March 1 during events organized by 12 Purdue offices and student organizations.

Project Respect: Eye on Diversity features lectures, workshops, performances and concerts.

Purdue President Martin C. Jischke said he hopes Greater Lafayette shows strong support for Project Respect.

"I hope this week will encourage each member of the Purdue community to foster an inclusive environment that affirms diversity," Jischke said. "These events will stimulate discussion as well as enlighten and entertain."

Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, Diversity Resource Office director and Project Respect committee member, said Project Respect should make a lasting impact on all those who participate in the activities.

"What we're finding is that folks have different ways of coming to the table and entering into discussion," Simpson-Taylor said "It is at those intersections that change begins to occur. We are hoping that people will come together and talk about respecting one another and identify ways that respect can manifest itself. Then we're not tolerating people anymore, we're valuing and appreciating and utilizing everything each of us brings to the Purdue community."

Jischke also has issued a mission statement for Project Respect, which states:

"Purdue University is committed to maintaining an inclusive community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person, fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, Purdue University seeks to develop and nurture its diversity. The university believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas and enriches campus life."

Project Respect events include:

• National Acrobats of Taiwan – 3 p.m. Sunday (2/24), Elliott Hall of Music.

• Mohammed Bilal of MTV's "Real World," 7 p.m. Monday (2/25), Elliott Hall of Music.

• Viewing and discussion of "The Angry Eye" video, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (2/26), Black Cultural Center.

• Jane Elliott lecture, 7 p.m. Tuesday (2/26), Loeb Playhouse.

• Cultural fine arts demonstration, noon Wednesday (2/27), LaPosada, ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union .

• Interactive theater by HumanRITE, 7 p.m. Wednesday (2/27), Black Cultural Center.

• Racism 101: Forum on Complexities of Race Relations, 11:30 a.m. Thursday (2/28), Purdue Memorial Union Lafayette Room.

• Protecting Diversity/Defending the First Amendment workshop, 5 p.m. Thursday (2/28), Hillel Foundation, 912 West State St., West Lafayette.

• Bean Cellar Concert, 9 p.m. Friday, March 1, LaPosada, ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, (765) 494-7307, dmsimpson-taylor@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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