The last two years have been some of the most chaotic of many of our lives, from the pandemic to economic slowdown and supply shortages, there has been no lack of problems. Perhaps one of the most pressing issues that arose during that time is that of social justice. This issue has only been comprehensively addressed because of a number of cases displaying a lack of social justice for minority communities throughout the United States. 

Here at Stanislaus State, administration officials like Christine Erickson, Vice President for Student Affairs, hopes to make a difference.

“A lot of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus were started when our university president, Ellen Junn, came to the university,” Erickson explained.

“With the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, especially, there is a lot of heightened interest in social justice,” she added. 

This attitude is what precipitated the formation of SACDIB, the Student Advisory Commission for Diversity Inclusion and Belonging, a student group whose main purpose is to provide recommendations on how to improve diversity and inclusion at the university.  

Due to the effects of Covid-19, being able to maintain membership levels on this group has been somewhat difficult. According to Marvin Williams, Disability Resource Services administrator and administrative representative for SACDIB, they were not alone in this struggle.

“A lot of the student organizations disbanded because of low membership and alack of participation the last few semesters,” Williams said. 

Erickson observed this as well.

“Covid-19 caused a lack of engagement in our student population as students prioritized and focused on other things, like passing classes,” Erickson said. 

While the first semester of SACDIB in spring 2021 was somewhat difficult, there is some hope that it will become easier in future semesters. 

“I think it’s possible for the group to have at least an impact about how they feel they fit in on campus and provide feedback on university policy,” Williams said. 

Discussions are currently in progress between ASI and the Student Affairs department about how to facilitate a SACDIB return in the spring of 2022. 

While membership levels will continue to be concerning, Erickson acknowledges that the current representation scheme for SACDIB may need some modification because of the pandemic. 

“We may have to use a different model for membership than the one we’re using now,” she said. 

Regardless of how students will be represented on SACDIB, its value cannot be overstated.

“Right now, we do need students to participate more, and things like SACDIB offer students the chance to be involved,” explained Lorena Jurado, ASI Director for Diversity.

Jurado also sits on the President’s Commission for Diversity and Inclusion or PCDI, which serves to bring together diverse community, faculty and administrator perspectives on university policy. She believes a greater student presence on this committee would be very beneficial, helping to provide student voices on a broader array of topics, but believes that most students are not aware of opportunities for engagement and participation. 

“Before becoming a part of student government and the PCDI committee, I didn’t know it existed. So I feel that the main issues with participation has to do with the fact that students are not aware of what the university offers,” Jurado said.

If you are interested in being a member of SACDIB, please reach out to Christine Erickson at ceric[email protected] for information.