Belonging Education & Support Team Vision Statement

Vision Statement

Sacramento State’s Belonging Education & Support Team (BEST) is a cross-functional body that serves as a mechanism to respond to perceived acts of bias. The purpose of BEST is to review reported perceived acts of bias in an to reduce experiences of bias. It promotes a civil, respectful, and inclusive community that opposes any act of racism, religious intolerance, sexism, ageism, ableism, trans- and homophobia, or other forms of oppression.

BEST achieves Sac State’s vision that a coordinated response to incidents of bias secures opportunities for all impacted parties to heal through a compassionate, trauma-informed, and holistic approach. We value both an individual and a collective sense of belonging that then we must uphold the rights, safety, dignity, and worth of every member of the Hornet community. BEST helps establish a working, living, and learning environment where all voices contribute to the transfer of knowledge and experiences that take place on our campus each day. Uplifting the diverse identities and demonstrating respect and belonging across campus is a pillar of the Hornet Honor Code that all people and living things are treated with respect.

At the core of our university culture, we remain moved by our shared responsibility to care for one another. We understand that to sustain a community where compassion is alive and thriving, members must be motivated by empathy and a willingness to confront crises through acts of reflection and reconciliation. Each student, faculty, staff, and administrative member deserves to learn and grow in an environment free of bias where individuals can share their perspectives; where they can enthusiastically debate; and where they can engage in civilized discourse across differences. However, Sac State acknowledges the potential to experience bias on the campus in multiple spaces. Thus, we aspire to not only mitigate existing bias, but to create a campus culture where people can affirm differences and freely offer fuller expressions of self, identity, and various worldviews.