Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AU3CP is a community of college career office communicators that values and holds diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. At AU3CP, we believe the unique backgrounds, identities, and professional experiences of our members make us a stronger, more vibrant community. We acknowledge this work is not a goal or final destination, but a continuous learning and unlearning journey. Our ongoing commitment to these principles drives our efforts in the following areas:

• Membership - We commit to making space for all perspectives and experiences, both by engaging members in inclusive activities and by building a more diverse membership body.
• Programming - We commit to amplifying a diversity of voices, both through who our speakers/presenters are and the topics they address.
• Content - We commit to creating and sharing content that is accessible to all and reflective of their experiences
• Accountability - We commit to holding ourselves and each other accountable, engage in continuous learning, and be open to dialogue in order to grow as a community. 

Defining Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (I.D.E.A.)

• Inclusion - Ongoing and intentional efforts to make space for members of all identities, abilities, perspectives and beliefs feel welcomed, leveraged and valued within a given setting.
• Inclusion is not a natural consequence of diversity; we need to design the space conducive to fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging people to bring more of who they are to the organization.
• By building diverse groups and creating a climate of inclusiveness, we can leverage the resources of diversity to advance our collective capabilities.
  
• Diversity / diverse - Honoring, respecting and reflecting differences among individuals and groups, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, educational level, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability and mobility, and marital and parental status.

• While a person might bring a diverse range of experiences, it’s important to note that people are not “diverse.” Diversity is relational - it’s about the differences between people within your team, organization and community.

• Equity - Ensuring everyone access to the same opportunities and creating a level playing field for individuals and groups based their respective needs and circumstances. 

• Equity and equality are NOT the same thing. Equity is the process; equality is the outcome. When we treat everyone equally, we treat everyone the same. Equity recognizes that privilege and barriers exist, and as a result, we all don’t all start from the same place. Equity requires commitment to rectify and address the imbalance to elevate people on the margins, leading to fair and just treatment of all individuals.

• Access -  Eliminating barriers to enable people to maximize their contribution to our community
• Intersectionality - interconnected nature of social categorizations // We acknowledge the intersections between identity and career, and the particular privileges and challenges that accompany them.
• Intentionality - a conscious effort to be inclusive, to make everyone feel welcomed and valued. Working to amplify underrepresented voices and experiences in spaces that have been historically denied to them.