Defining the P.L.U.S Organization and the PLUS Program

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

   There are many organizations on this campus, some of which have many of the same missions. Some also have names that are similar. This can be confusing at times. For example, the PLUS Program and the P.L.U.S. (People Learning about Unique Students) Organization are entirely different groups. The PLUS Program is an institution that is run entirely by the school. Professionals operate it, whereas the P.L.U.S. Organization is operated entirely by students (with the help of a faculty advisor) and is funded by the Student Senate.

   The mission statement for the P.L.U.S. Organization states that we are trying to educate people about the ways that disabled students live their lives. There are five ways that we do this:
1) Identifying and defining different forms of learning disabilities;
2) Distinguishing stereotypical beliefs from truths;
3) Focusing on the strengths of individuals rather than their areas of challenge;
4) Encouraging cooperative interaction from each community and valuing the contributions of each side; and
5) Helping to promote the use of assistive technology that can support a more independent lifestyle for those with learning disabilities.

   The mission of our organization and that of the PLUS Program are similar, as are our names. Many of the faculty and staff of the College do not know that we are entirely separate groups and are funded in different ways. If they do not know that we are separate, how can we expect students to know that too?

   No, Though the two programs are different, we do have similarities. We both work hard to educate both "communities" and try to help everybody learn to live together. There are strong ties between the PLUS Program and the P.L.U.S. Organization, but they are NOT the same group. They are entirely different and should be treated that way by everybody on campus.

The P.L.U.S. Organization

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