Slippery Rock University should be commended for recently beginning training for staff and student workers that covers the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. Online courses relating to the topics will be available through May 28.

The training will consist of courses focusing on three topics: managing bias, promoting diversity and inclusion and accommodating disabilities. Those who participate will learn how to handle workplace situations that require communication and judgment calls to come to equitable solutions.

The interactive courses will be hosted by virtual education company EVERFI. This sounds like a good initiative.

A glance at the news in recent years — especially the past 12 months — provides plenty of proof that we have a long way to go toward being a more inclusive society. The summer of 2020 was marked by protests across the nation and around the world following the death of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of police. The tragedy of his death is compounded by the fact that such an incident has become so commonplace. The fact that so many people know the names Breonna Taylor or Tamir Rice testifies to this.

This week saw the murder of eight people — six of whom were women of Asian descent — during a rampage in Atlanta that has been coupled with an increase in hate crimes against Asian-Americans during the pandemic, which some have called the “Chinese virus.”

Many would argue that our society has evolved over the years, but there’s something to be said for the expression “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

So, SRU deserves kudos for trying to prevent things from staying the same. “Our intention is to actively engage the campus community to enhance their understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, including anti-racism and allyship,” said Lynne Motyl, SRU’s chief human resources officer.

That’s a good goal, especially in light of two incidents last month during which Black History Month events at the university were interrupted by racist and violent video and audio as well as two incidents last year during which SRU students made racist and anti-LGBTQ comments on social media.

So, it’s great to see the university combat such incidents with courses that promote the exact opposite — SRU notes the classes will teach attendees how to develop “an environment of inclusion and respect” with a focus on making a “positive impact” on the community.

We wish this initiative much success.

— NCD