¹ú²úÔ­´´

AccommoDoresÌýbrings awareness and perspective to the multiplicity of identities within the Disabled community by actively acknowledging and uplifting the fact that accessibility isÌýan importantÌýcomponentÌýof representation. This initiative centers the experiences of those within the Disabled community, with resources and education for allÌýin the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.Ìý

AccommoDoresÌýaims to highlight the specific strengths and challenges of those in the Disabled community to foster a campus culture that is fully and seamlesslyÌýwelcomingÌýofÌýpeople with disabilitiesÌýin all aspects of the campus environment and in the attitudes, behaviors, and endeavors of all university stakeholders.Ìý

Goals for AccommoDores:

• To bring awareness and a lens to the multiplicity of identities within the Disabled community
• To actively acknowledge and celebrate the Disabled community
• To highlight the strengths and challenges for individuals with disabilities

The APIDAVUÌýinitiative centers the experiences of students who identify as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, while fostering connection, collaboration, and learning opportunities for the entire ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.ÌýThis initiative is supported by organizations such as the , theÌý,Ìý,ÌýÌýand more.

Goals for APIDA:

• To connect Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans at ¹ú²úÔ­´´, as well as all in the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community,Ìýin order toÌýbuild a strong, supportive community.Ìý
• To educate members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community on the history and culture of various Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities.
• To advocate for issues relating to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American experience on campus.

TheÌýIndigenousVUÌýinitiative centers the experiences of students who identify as Native and/or Indigenous, with resources and education for allÌýin the ¹ú²úÔ­´´Ìýcommunity. This initiative connects students with the Ìýand other groups dedicated to supporting Indigenous identities and cultures. This initiative serves to offer support, education and resources to the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community, centering the experiences of those who identify as:

• First Nations
• Native Alaskan
• Native American
• Native Hawaiian
• Part of an Indigenous community in the:
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • South America
  • South Pacific

Goals of IndigenousVU:

• To connect Indigenous peoples at ¹ú²úÔ­´´, as well as all in the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community, in an effort to build community.
• To educate members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community on the histories and culture of various Indigenous communities spanning the globe.
• To advocate for issues relating to the Indigenous experience on campus.

TheÌýInternationalVUÌýinitiative invites all members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community to engage with and celebrate the perspectives that international students bring to campus.ÌýThis initiative highlights the contributions and experiences of international students while encouraging global learning and engagement for all in the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.

The goals of this initiative are:

• To connect internationalÌýstudentsÌýat ¹ú²úÔ­´´, as well as all in the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community,ÌýinÌýanÌýeffort to buildÌýcommunity.Ìý
• To educate members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community on the history and culture of various international communities spanning the globe.Ìý
• To advocate for issues relating toÌýthe internationalÌýexperience on campus.Ìý

For all immigration and VISA questions, please visit International Student & Scholars ServicesÌý(ISSS).

TheÌýMilitaryVUÌýinitiativeÌýwelcomes all members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community to engage in efforts that support and upliftÌýthe academic, personal, and professional development of ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s military-connected community.ÌýÌýIt highlights the experiences and contributions of military-connected students, staff, and faculty while fostering understanding, collaboration, and shared learning opportunities for everyone.ÌýThrough increasingÌýservices for military-connected students, along with co-creating resources and opportunities to connect,ÌýMilitaryVUÌýand its Network Partners aim to:Ìý

• Educate the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community about the various realities of people in the U.S. Armed Forces.Ìý
• Create community-building opportunities to increase the sense of belonging amongÌýtheÌý¹ú²úÔ­´´Ìýcommunity.Ìý
• Develop methods of support toÌýhelp military and veteran scholars achieve their academic goals andÌýprepare forÌýcareers in their respective fields.Ìý

TheÌýPersistVUÌýinitiativeÌýacknowledges that holding the experiences of those who are first-generationÌýand/or fromÌýlow-/lower-income backgrounds is multifaceted and unique. This initiative centers the experiencesÌýof students who identify as first-generation and/or low-income,Ìýwhile fostering understanding, access, and opportunities for the entire ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.ÌýPersistVUÌýworks to create systems of support and community building that help combat the societal narratives associated with low-/lower-income communities while acknowledging the impact of the experiences of ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s scholars, staff,Ìýand faculty. Many of the students who have collaborated on the development of this belonging initiative are members ofÌýQuestBridge, one ofÌýPersistVU’sÌýNetwork Partners.ÌýÌý

First-generation students bring unique perspectives, which contribute greatly to the campus community.ÌýÌýStudents with one (or more) parent(s) or guardian(s) that have completed a 4-year institution often have greater sources of support in understanding how to traverse the policies, procedures, jargon, and expectations of collegiate life.Ìý

PersistVUÌýseeksÌýto extend resources and support to all students, including thoseÌýwho identify withÌýthe first-generation experienceÌýandÌýthose who may not meet federal guidelines but share similar challenges.Ìý

First-Generation students are students whose in-home parent(s) or guardian(s) did not graduate from a 4-year U.S. university; this can manifest as:Ìý

• Students whose in-home parent(s) or guardian(s) have a high school education or less.Ìý
• Students whose in-home parent(s) or guardian(s) only attended a 2-year higher education institution whether in the U.S. or abroad.Ìý

TheÌýSomosVUÌýinitiative centers the experience of students who identify as Latin American/ Hispanic,Ìýwhile serving as a resource and point of connection open to all members of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.ÌýThis initiativeÌýconvenesÌýcommunity members and campus partners to develop resources andÌýsupport andÌýassistsÌýthe ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community in engaging with and supporting Latin American and Hispanic experiences, cultures, and contributions throughÌýeducational, professional, and personal pursuits.Ìý

The efforts of SomosVU strive to:

• Call theÌý¹ú²úÔ­´´Ìýcommunity into conversation through access to resources and educationÌýfor all,ÌýwhileÌýemphasizingÌýthe values of connection and celebration.Ìý
• Address theÌýimportanceÌýofÌýthe visibility of Latin American and Hispanic presence, influence, and representation on campus while honoring the accomplishments of Latin American and Hispanic leaders and groups.Ìý
• Encourage faculty-student mentor relationships, as well as solidarity among allies, to create opportunitiesÌýfor the campus communityÌýto celebrate Latin and Hispanic contributions.Ìý
• Charge all of us to build a welcoming communityÌýatÌý¹ú²úÔ­´´Ìýfor all students to thrive.Ìý