With the creation of a new position, Penn State is making attempts to work with a more diverse pool of vendors.

Duane Bullock, the university's manager of supplier diversity and environmentally responsible purchasing, is the first to occupy this newly created position.

Jim Dunlop, director of procurement services, said Penn State created the position because the university is looking to diversify its pool of suppliers and encourage them to use environmentally friendly products.

"It's part of a complete effort to increase our exposure and commitment to diversity," he said. "We've had several success stories where we go out, as part of this program, and locate diverse vendors. We find it leads to cost savings and discovering new ways for us to do something better."

Bullock will be talking to various departments to encourage them to do business with minority- and women-owned, historically under-utilized, and veteran vendors.

This program is being implemented to search among diverse suppliers for any type of product or service the university uses or may need. Products or services may range from lab equipment to window cleaning.

"If the university is encouraged to buy from a diverse pool of vendors, we hope it will encourage them to sell," Bullock said.

Dunlop said preference would not be given to diverse vendors.

"If their products aren't competitively priced, we will not give them priority," he said.

According to Dunlop, Bullock's job is to find suppliers that fit the diversity category and supply competitive goods or services to make sure they have the same opportunity.

"We know they are there, and we know they can compete for university business," he said.

"It's finding the right fit with the products or services the university needs," Dunlop said.

Bullock will serve as the liaison between the vendors and the university.

"I want to bridge the gap between the two and work both sides of the fence," he said. "I will be sitting down with the departments in search of a possible mix for potential business."

Bullock said the university has a whole host of vendors that handle various products and services.

"It definitely is an advantage to have [the vendors] and Penn State working together since it brings more competition and a variety of vendors," he said. "It's a win-win situation. When it works out everybody wins."

Bullock will be visiting several vendor locations to take a look at their operations in an attempt to help them do business with not only University Park, but ultimately the Commonwealth campuses as well.

Tom Gibson, associate vice president for auxiliary and business services, said this program would provide a lot more opportunity to a broader range of vendors.

"It's a really good thing, expanding opportunities and making good matches between Penn State and diverse vendors," he said.

Gibson said the university identifies the needs that have been unmet and feels Penn State can do better.

"This is not a change, but a progression," he said. "Penn State is committed to diversity in many ways. This is one of the parts of the university we have the responsibility for."