Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
The Office of Student Life and Leadership/Fraternity and Sorority Life at Cal State Fullerton is dedicated to developing and engaging students involved within Fraternity and Sorority organizations on the topics of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging through our “Let’s D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E.” (Develop Inclusivity, Actively Learn, Onward Growth, and United Engagement) Initiative. This initiative houses two of our main inclusionary programs, each with a cohort of students representing chapters from each council. Programs consist of monthly workshops which focus on a variety of social justice topics as they relate to CSUF Fraternity and Sorority Life, history of organizations, and development theories regarding DEI in order to understand the broader community and society.
Furthering our efforts to build an inclusive community, our area conducts supporting programming which infuses DEI concepts within its curriculum in order to introduce student leaders and general membership to social justice topics they may encounter during their time at CSUF. Constant supporting programs include NuMu: New Member Education, Fraternity Leadership Conference, Sorority Leadership Conference, FSL Presidents Meetings, and other programs hosted by campus partners in conjunction with Student Life and Leadership/Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Let’s D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E.
(Develop Inclusivity, Actively Learn, Onward Growth, and United Engagement)
Please click each drop-down menu title below to access additional information:
I-LeaD (Inclusivity-Leadership Development)
Purpose
This program is tailored to Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHC) chapters at Cal State Fullerton. Aligning with the Brotherhood/Sisterhood pillar of Fraternity and Sorority Life, I-LeaD aims and focuses on bringing together a group of IFC and PHC members who are driven and determined on creating, facilitating, and maintaining conversation on inclusivity within their respective chapters. Topics will be covered throughout the academic year and build upon the history and culture of traditional social fraternity and sorority organizations.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to understand the history and progress of traditional social fraternities on college campuses.
- Students will be able to identify behaviors and actions of non-inclusionary behavior and be prepared to take proactive actions to address it within their chapter.
- Students will be able to develop methods within their own chapter on how to educate both current and incoming members on inclusionary practices.
UNI-T (Understanding and Navigating Inclusivity Together)
Purpose
This program is tailored to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) chapters. The purpose of this program is to continue and further the development of -ism conversations which can interweave in the interactions within these culturally-based fraternal organizations (CBFO). As well as beginning the conversation of multiple topics which are often emphasised as a part of the culture from which the organization is created from and ideals are perpetuated as a part of a members experience. These topics will establish a baseline understanding of issues related to race, ethnicity, and other prejudices which may be projected to other members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community or Titan family.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Establish a baseline understanding within MGC/NPHC participants on issues related to prejudices which may be projected to other members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community or Titan family.
- Build and foster an environment where students are able to connect and identify their cultural values to experiences of conflict in order to articulate the exclusive aspects/behaviors.
- Empower and prepare participants with the tools, resources, and knowledge to facilitate conversations and promote inclusivity within their chapters and have a cohesive community.
Supporting Programming
NuMu: New Member Education
New Member Education has been a required program for all incoming members who have accepted a bid or begun their intake process with their organization. Through this interactive program, new members are given the opportunity to learn more about resources available to them on campus which can be useful during their time as both a member of FSL and as a CSUF student. As a part of the Let’s D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. initiative, we incorporated a holistic approach to DEI to provide a very broad overview of inclusivity.
FSL Presidents Meetings
Held on a monthly basis, these meetings allow our staff to check in with chapter leadership and provide them with direct updates on required materials needed by our office from their organizations. As a part of this initiative, FSL staff infuses discussion topics through the academic year to conduct a climate check based on pertinent events.
Sorority Leadership Conference & Fraternity Leadership Conference
The Fraternity Leadership Conference and Sorority Leadership Conference occur offset of each other to mitigate the programming of both SLL/FSL and individual chapters. The Fraternity Leadership Conference which happens in the Fall Semester and the Sorority Leadership Conference, in the Spring Semester, allows students who are involved in these organizations across councils to come together and learn from each other, campus professionals, and external speakers about numerous topics. As a part of the Let’s D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. initiative, the FSL staff includes at least one DEI session/workshop within each conference to give the option to students to learn more about the topic created and delivered for this event.
Due to the change of the Fall semester being completely virtual and the Fraternity Leadership Conference occurring during this time, “Being FRAT” was developed to take the place for the time being. This series was hosted virtually through Zoom by the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and sessions lasted between one hour to one and a half hours focused on different topics aimed at developing fraternity men through open, candid conversations.
Contact
If you have any questions about the programs listed above please contact the Fraternity and Sorority Life staff:
Alisa Flowers, Director of Student Life and Leadership
aflowers@fullerton.edu
Nayeli Sernas, Graduate Student Assistant of Fraternity and Sorority Life
zz-nsernas@fullerton.edu
