Rochester, Mich. (Oct. 28, 2004) - Oakland University???s athletics department, including student-athletes, coaches and staff, will take part in a Diversity Education Workshop Nov. 1, the goal of which is to provide participants with an understanding of the impact diversity has on them both personally and professionally and on the organization. This is the first such workshop to take place at Oakland that has involved the campus and its community. OU???s vision for 2010 states the university???s commitment to building a ???scholarly community strengthened by its diversity.??? Stan Johnson & Associates??? Diversity Education Workshop is designed to meet this goal by providing opportunities for Oakland???s President???s Office, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and the Athletics Department to enhance their understanding and respect for multiculturalism and diversity to the campus community by creating a positive learning environment and support systems for students, faculty/staff and student-athletes to excel both in and out of the classroom. This workshop will be highly participative and assist all those in attendance in becoming catalysts to promote diversity within their respective departments or offices. Some of the topics that this workshop will address include stereotyping, understanding the trust gap, and non-verbal and cross-cultural communication. Also, this workshop will examine the interaction among people of different backgrounds and how to draw on these valuable differences to develop a productive environment. As part of the workshop, participants will be exposed to various terms and definitions regarding diversity. They will explore the impact these terms have on individuals and the organization. Also, participants will be taken through an analysis of their personal cultural filters and explore how this effects the organizational culture. A series of focus groups will be conducted throughout the academic year to gauge effectiveness of the workshop. An annual assessment tool will be developed to review the action plan established by each department or office. The Diversity Educational Workshop is paid for through the OU Diversity Programming Fund and is sponsored by the athletics department and the President???s Office. It will take place on Monday, Nov. 1, from 8:00 am ???C Noon in the Oakland Center Banquet Room. Prior to this, the facilitators will be meeting specifically with the members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council on Sunday, Oct. 31.