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Division of Inclusive Excellence Employee Affinity Groups

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About Employee Affinity Groups

Employee Affinity Groups (EAG) have been formed by Sacramento State staff and faculty over the years through grassroots efforts to connect individuals from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups. Sacramento State has formalized its relationship with these groups through the Division of Inclusive Excellence, which provides university-wide leadership to support the development and success of Sacramento State’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The mission of the EAGs sponsored by the Division of Inclusive Excellence shall be to:

  • Educate, raise awareness, and share information about issues that affect historically marginalized and/or underrepresented communities;
  • Provide professional development, networking, and cultural appreciation opportunities for the respective affinity groups;
  • Improve diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging at Sacramento State; and
  • Offer a forum in which staff and faculty campus climate concerns can be made known to the University.

Purpose

Sacramento State's EAGs are part of the institution's collective efforts to leverage diversity to foster a sense of togetherness and ensure that employees experience a greater sense of engagement and belonging. EAGs are formed around a shared identity, common bond, and a commitment to invest in the professional development of historically marginalized or underrepresented groups of faculty and staff. These groups contribute to Sacramento State through:

  • Visibility – Providing a sense of security and acceptance for employees on campus by maintaining a visible presence and sense of togetherness.
  • Community – Supporting new staff and faculty in identifying campus resources and understanding university culture as well as fostering inclusion and community through a support network of mentors, allies, and peers.
  • Advocacy and Education – Advocating for policies and programs to meet the needs of members of underrepresented groups that lead to greater advancement. Making suggestions on educating all employees on relevant matters that impact a specific affinity group.
  • Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent – Assisting the University in its efforts to recruit, hire, and retain a highly skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the students that we serve.
  • Campus Engagement – Fostering camaraderie and building bridges amongst the campus community as well as educating the broader campus community on the affinity group’s perspectives and concerns.

Please be advised that Employee Affinity Groups are formed voluntarily, are not dictated by management, and individual employee membership and participation in EAGs are voluntary. In addition, all meetings and activities by EAGs must be open to all employees, not just staff or faculty of a particular race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, etc. Finally, EAGs may not seek to address issues within the jurisdiction of labor unions, such as work hours, pay, promotions, working conditions, or work assignments.