Office of Belonging and Inclusion

Mission Statement

The Office of Belonging and Inclusion seeks to implement educational, cultural and social learning environments that help enrich diverse views of students from various backgrounds, races, cultures, and beliefs. Through advocacy, cultural programming and education, OBI will help to create an institutional ethos that celebrates multiculturalism and promotes social justice and equity for others within the campus community. OBI seeks to broaden the understanding of multiculturalism - which includes race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability, age, and religion - to the entire campus community, as well as acknowledge that personal identity is complex and intersectional. OBI lives out its mission by operationalizing its functions areas: Educate, Connect, and Advocate.

• Educate: OBI promotes learning on multiple identities, backgrounds, and experience of self and others through a range of programs, discussions, resources, and campus events.
• Connect: OBI works with all students, specifically those of historically underrepresented backgrounds, to build relationships that establish a sense of belonging within our CSU Long Beach community. OBI Staff engage with the broader Long Beach community and beyond to understand community needs and resources.
• Advocate: OBI elicits students’ ability to engage as conscious global citizens, investing in their abilities to serve as change makers for society’s current and future endeavors

All students, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, and/or any other protected identity, who are interested in the program’s mission and focus are welcome and eligible to participate in OBI events and programs.

Vision Statement

The Office of Belonging and Inclusion (OBI) at California State University, Long Beach strives to intentionally create an inclusive and diverse campus community that promotes personal, academic, and professional development while embracing a nurturing atmosphere that cultivates a need for social change. OBI will enhance partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners so that we may serve as primary advocates to meet the needs of our diverse student populations.

Goals

• To support campus engagement among CSU Long Beach students, faculty, and staff influenced by values of equity, cultural wealth, interculturalism, intersectionality, and antiracist practices (educate).
• To foster a sense of belonging and connection on campus and beyond the CSU Long Beach community (connect).
• To create opportunities that build perspective, expand consciousness, and develop agency skills (advocate).