Slippery Rock University started hosting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for all staff and student workers Monday, and the online course offerings will be available through May 28.

The university offers this training each year to educate the campus community on best practices to ensure equity for all.

Erin Strain, director of leadership development at Slippery Rock, said this is the first year DEI training has been mandatory for school staff, and also the first year it is being offered completely online.

“It has always been front (and center) for our senior leadership that this is very important,” Strain said. “It's an ongoing collaboration and an ongoing effort, just like anything worthwhile.”

According to Strain, the training will consist of three courses: Managing Bias, Diversity and Inclusion and Accommodating Disabilities, which will teach users how to best handle workplace situations that require good judgment or communication to overcome scenarios in an equitable way.

“A great workplace starts with great training,” Strain said. “The DEI training is really going to help learners to develop an environment of inclusion and respect, and generates high morality, productivity, opportunity and a positive impact on community.”

Slippery Rock is teaming up with virtual education company EVERFI to deliver the training, which Strain said allows its users to complete the courses at their own pace. She said the courses will be interactive, so the learners will have to make choices within the program to complete it.

“The general framework is going to teach and train employees through immersive interactive online realistic work scenarios,” Strain said. “It's going to test employees on their abilities to reframe interactions through a positive constructive lens. We're also going to present employees with some strategies to evaluate their communication skills to adjust for inclusivity.”

Lynne Motyl, Slippery Rock's chief human resources officer, said in a press release from the university that it wants to create a campus free of bias and racism, and the DEI training encourages that atmosphere from the top down.

“Our intention is to actively engage the campus community to enhance their understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, including anti-racism and allyship,” Motyl said.