Counseling Center Diversity Statement

The staff members of the Sam Houston State University Counseling Center are sensitive to the diversity and richness that are an essential element of the human experience. As a staff we are devoted to honoring the differences that are represented by gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, social/economic class, outward appearance, body size/shape, disability, impairment, and political ideology. In addition, we are committed to confronting, in all of their various forms, prejudice, discrimination, and oppression.

Diversity is an important reality of our daily lives. We value the benefits that come from living and working in a multicultural campus community. Therefore, we endeavor to be accepting, supportive, respectful, affirming, and open-minded of those from diverse backgrounds. Our goal is to live out this value amongst ourselves, with our clients, and across the campus community. Our aim is for our daily interactions to honor the diversity among us.

Preparing Psychologists to Work With a Diverse Public

The SHSU Counseling Staff fully support the training of psychologists who are competent to serve all members of the public and endorse the principles outlined in Preparing Professional Psychologists to Serve a Diverse Public, APA’s statement developed by the Education Directorate’s Working Group and approved by APA’s Board of Educational Affairs (BEA). Additionally, as an agency of the State of Texas and arm of the government, SHSU must ensure equal access to all students and ensure compliance with the University’s non-discrimination statement, specifically:

SHSU prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed,
ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

While we understand that interns have the right to maintain their sincerely held beliefs or values; interns should have no expectation that they would be exempt from working with particular clients. The ability to serve diverse clients is a requirement of the profession, this internship, and it is for the benefit of the public. Access to APA’s statement may be found at the following link: http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/diversity-preparation.aspx

SHSU Statement of Non Discrimination

Sam Houston State University, in accordance with applicable federal and state law (including Title VII and Title IX) and institutional values, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A person who believes that he or she has been subjected to any type of discrimination should report the incident to the appropriate University official, administrator, or supervisor. Students are encouraged to report such incidents to the Director of Equity and Inclusion or the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Risk Management. Employees and visitors are encouraged to report to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Risk Management. Incidents should be reported as soon as possible after the time of their occurrence. No person is required to report discrimination to the alleged offender. Every attempt should be made to keep the information confidential and restricted to only those who have an absolute need to know. A person who makes a complaint should be advised that principles of fairness and due process may require disclosure to the alleged harasser, who shall be warned against retaliation upon pain of disciplinary action.

Complaints alleging sexual harassment are governed by and investigated under the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures.