D&I Guide

Message from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair:

Hi there! My name is Omar Jwainat, and I am your Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Thank you so much for exploring this resource that the DEI Committee has worked diligently to create! I hope you find it valuable during your time here at CSUN. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this guide, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at diversityandinclusion@csunas.org. We are here to support you!

 

Associated Students

Associated Students (AS) is the primary advocate for students at California State University, Northridge and provides excellent, meaningful programs and services designed to enhance and create a spirited learning-focused campus environment.  We offer many things including Outdoor Adventures, Sports Clubs, Sustainability initiatives, Marketing services Productions and events, a Ticket Office which sells tickets and passes at discounted prices, a Children’s Center, and Student Leadership opportunities. To find out more about what Associated Students offers, click here

Children's Center

Provides a nurturing space by supporting children in their social emotional, cognitive, and language development.  A safe and welcoming learning environment where children enjoy learning and interacting with their peers.

Children's Center Webpage

Transportation

The A.S Ticket Office makes commuting to CSUN easier! We offer transportation information and services to our fellow Matadors and community. Whether you are commuting locally with Metro or making your way from the Antelope Valley, you can count on us to help you find your way to where Matadors belong! For more information see visit the transportation webpage. 

Transportation Webpage

USU (University Student Union)

The University Student Union (USU), as the heart of campus, uplifts and empowers students to achieve educational, personal and professional goals by providing leadership development, meaningful employment, and innovative programs, services and facilities. We promote equity, inclusion and well-being, while encouraging social justice advocacy to help Matadors feel heard, respected and connected to CSUN.  The USU includes the DREAM Center, Pride Center, Computer Lab, East Conference Center, Games Room, Northridge Center, Oasis Wellness Center, Reservations & Event Services, Student Recreation Center, USU Programs, Veterans Resource Center.  To learn more about the heart of campus, visit the USU website

DREAM Center

The DREAM Center at CSUN’s University Student Union is a supportive resource for undocumented students, mixed-status families, staff, faculty, allies, and future undocumented students. DREAM stands for Dreamers, Resources, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Mentorship. We offer appointments or walk-in services at the USU, providing resources to empower students to advocate for themselves throughout their education. We also raise awareness of the evolving political climate affecting students' personal and professional lives, believing that students thrive when supported in pursuing their goals confidently.

DREAM Center Webpage 

Oasis Wellness Center

The Oasis Wellness Center at CSUN is a peaceful retreat where students can relax and recharge amidst the busy campus life. It offers a variety of health and wellness programs designed to support students' overall well-being and academic success. Visit the Oasis at the University Student Union and experience the serenity for yourself.

Oasis Wellness Center Webpage

Pride Center

The Pride Center supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, faculty and staff through programming and educational outreach to improve the campus climate for LGBTQIA+ individuals as well as advocate for the respect and safety of all members of the campus community.  Pride Center values include Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, Fun, Inclusivity, Intersectionality, Learning, and Social Justice. For more information visit the pride center webpage.

Pride Center Webpage

Veterans Resources Center 

Our mission is to support CSUN students as they transition from military service to academic success. The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) provides services and resources that promote the academic, personal, and professional growth of student veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and their dependents. We offer tailored support and community-building events to help ease the transition to college life, ensuring students thrive both academically and personally while pursuing their goals.

Veterans Resources Center Webpage

Commissions, Offices, and Centers of Diversity and Inclusion

 

The commissions, offices, and centers for Diversity and Inclusion section includes resources for issues regarding discrimination, assault, and diverse experiences at CSUN overall.

The Commission on Diversity and Inclusion is made up of student representatives, faculty representatives, staff representatives, and people who solely work for Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.  The commission focuses on campus climate, access & equity, diversity in the curriculum, and institutional communication.  To find out about the members of the Commission, visit their membership webpage.

The Commission also has created the Diversity and Equity Innovation grant.  This grant was created to support creative activities, scholarly research, educational projects,  and other innovative programmatic initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, access, anti-racism and social justice for the benefit of the CSUN community.  To learn more about this, visit their grant webpage.

The Asset Map

In this section of the guide, you can find all of the resources of the different cultural programs on campus.  The Asset Map includes service, names of points of contact, and how to communicate with them.

 

The Department of Police Services (DPS) is committed to providing a safe environment for all students, faculty, administrators, and all other members of the CSUN campus community. Furthermore, DPS strives to ensure that all services provided through its dedicated staff are done with integrity, transparency, care, and a professional focus contributing to student success. For matters of police services related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please contact Catarino (Tony) Arias at catarino.arias@csun.edu or you can visit the DPS website assistance or inquiries.

To that end, the Office of Equity & Compliance affirms the University's commitment to the core principles of diversity and inclusion, to the policies and practices that ensure equitable consideration and opportunity in education and employment, and to a culture that embraces a multiplicity of talents, knowledge, beliefs, abilities and experiences. We value inclusion as a necessary condition for achieving institutional excellence, and we strive to provide leadership that extends beyond the fulfillment of basic regulatory requirements.  Every member of our campus community plays an integral role in contributing to our diversity and in addressing fundamental issues of bias and exclusion and building equity for all.  For more information visit the Equity and Compliance webpage

Title IX

Title IX protects all people regardless of their gender or gender identity from sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and sexual violence.  This gives you an opportunity to file a criminal complaint, have an investigation, and confidentiality.

Financial and Basic Needs Matters

The Financial and Basic Needs category discusses financial opportunities (grants and scholarships) and basic needs sources (housing, food, and health).

The primary mission of the CSUN Food Pantry is to offer immediate sustenance and essential supplies to CSUN students without any associated costs. The overarching objective is to mitigate the potential academic disruptions faced by our students by ensuring access to necessary essentials. It is noteworthy that individuals utilizing the CSUN Food Pantry are not required to present proof of financial need; rather, the only documentation expected is verification of campus affiliation, exemplified by a valid CSUN ID. Visit the Food Pantry webpage for more information.

This Housing website provides diverse information designed specially for Cal State University, Northridge's Faculty and Staff. It shares information regarding Rental Housing, Relocation Services, Community Resources, Cultural, Government and also Entertainment.

For more information see the following link: Housing Resources

The MataCare Emergency Grant is a once-a-year grant that students can receive through financial hardships. Documentation must be provided to receive the grant.

For more information and the application visit the Matacare webpage

The Scholarship and Financial Aid office provides financial support to CSUN students through scholarships and grants and helps students reach a higher form of education. It assists students throughout the financial aid application process.

The Klotz Student Health Center is dedicated to offering a range of high-quality clinical services to cater to your health needs without breaking the bank. The comprehensive in-house and telehealth services encompass primary care, sports medicine, nutritional counseling, and birth control education. Elevating the commitment to your well-being, they extend specialty services such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and physical therapy.

University Counseling Services (UCS) is a mental health center for students enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). They provide a range of high-quality mental health services including initial evaluations, short-term counseling and psychotherapy, Wellness Workshops, group treatment, psychiatric services, crisis/urgent care services, and case management. 

For more information visit the UCS website

Diverse Organizations

This is your one-stop-shop for all cultural clubs and organizations and who they cater to.

The cultural and diverse clubs on campus support students from different backgrounds and cultures which creates a safe and eventful environment where students are able to connect and participate in. Visit Matasync for full list of clubs and organizations. 

  • Alliance for Women in Entertainment
  • Alpha Sigma Theta Sorority
  • American Indian Student Association
  • Armenian Student Association
  • Asian American Christian Fellowship
  • Aztlán Graduation and Scholarship Committee
  • Ballet Folklórico Aztlán de CSUN
  • Black Leadership Council of CSUN (BLC)
  • Black Male Scholars
  • Black Student Union 
  • Chabad Jewish Student Center
  • CSUN Baháʼí
  • CSUN Black Graduation Club
  • CSUN Black Social Work Caucus
  • CSUN BUILD PODER Club
  • CSUN Coptic Christian Club
  • CSUN Filipino American Student Association
  • CSUN Hidden Road Initiative
  • CSUN Hillel
  • CSUN Political Science Student Association (PSSA)
  • Deaf CSUNians
  • Deaf Studies Association
  • Disabled Individuals Rising Up for Systemic Transformation
  • East African Student Association
  • Feminist Students Association
  • Habesha Student Union
  • Hermanas Unidas de California State University, Northridge 
  • Indian Students Association
  • Iranian Student Association at CSUN
  • Japanese Student Association
  • K-Pop Club
  • La Familia de California State University, Northridge
  • Latino Business Association
  • Lebanese Student Association
  • Middle Eastern North African Club
  • Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlán
  • Muslim Student Association
  • Nigerian Student Association
  • Phi Lambda Rho Sorority, Inc.
  • Revolutionary Scholars
  • Salsa Libre 
  • Sikh Student Association
  • Society of Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at CSUN
  • Soon Movement Global
  • United Sorority & Fraternity Council
  • Vietnamese Student Association
  • Women Inspired to Succeed & Discover Opportunities through Mentoring

All information about these organizations can be found on Matasync or on CSUN’s FSL Website

  • Alpha Epsilon Pi (Jewish Fraternity)
  • Alpha Epsilon Omega (Armenian Fraternity)
  • Alpha Gamma Alpha (Armenian Sorority)
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha (Divine 9 Black Sorority)
  • Alpha Phi Alpha (Divine 9 Black Fraternity)
  • Alpha Pi Sigma (Latin American Sorority
  • Alpha Psi Rho (Asian/Pacific Islander Fraternity)
  • Alpha Sigma Theta (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Sorority)
  • Gamma Zeta Alpha (Latino Fraternity)
  • Zeta Phi Beta (Divine 9 Black Sorority)
  • Kappa Alpha Psi (Divine 9 Black Fraternity)
  • Lambda Theta Nu (Latina Sorority)
  • Rho Delta Chi (Asian-American Sorority)
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi (Jewish Sorority)
  • Sigma Gamma Rho (Divine 9 Black Sorority)
  • Sigma Omega Nu (Latina Sorority)
  • Phi Beta Sigma (Divine 9 Fraternity)
  • Phi Lambda Rho (Chicana/Latina Sorority)

The campus’s cultural houses  provide engagement and a safe space for students of different communities while fostering cultural identity. Their mission is to foster student learning and achievement through celebrating different backgrounds and cultures.  

Educational Resources and Cultural Departments

Cultural departments are academic majors/minors/classes focused on culture and human experience. These courses are found through the College of Education, College of Humanities, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

DRES supports students throughout their college career by working on their strengths. Creates a sense of community by providing students with the academic support they need to excel in their classes.

DRES Webpage

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) serves historically low-income, historically educationally disadvantaged, first-generation college students.  They provide transitional experiences, mentoring, academic support, holistic advising, and potential financial support.

EOP Webpage

The Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub connects Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the U.S. to enhance Latinx student access to STEAM resources. By building regional hubs, such as the first one at Miami Dade College, the initiative impacts large student populations and prepares future innovators for high-demand careers. Partnerships with institutions like Rutgers University-Newark and Santa Fe Community College further foster strategic collaboration, driving institutional change and serving diverse student needs.

HSI Hub Webpage

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NCOD) offers many resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at CSUN.  They offer interpreting services, captioning, leadership opportunities, scholarships and many other things for the Deaf community.  This is also the place to request interpreters for on-campus events.

NCOD Webpage

The CSUN Mentorship Program promotes student success at Cal State Northridge. It aims to help students more easily navigate university life by exploring various campus resources and engagement/involvement opportunities. The mentors are committed to sharing their own experiences, motivating fellow CSUN students, and helping them set goals to ultimately be successful.

Peer Mentorship Webpage

The mission of the CSU Project Rebound Consortium is to support the higher education and successful reintegration of the formerly incarcerated through the mentorship and living example of other formerly incarcerated students, graduates, faculty, and staff. Project Rebound constructs a life-affirming alternative to the revolving door policies of mass incarceration by making higher education more accessible and supportive of formerly incarcerated students so that they can acquire the knowledge and skills of a university education, enhance their capacity for civic engagement and community leadership, secure meaningful and gratifying employment, empower themselves and their families, and ultimately make stronger, safer communities.

Project Rebound Webpage

The EOP/TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSSP) at CSUN is committed to fostering a supportive community and offering services to help students develop the skills needed to achieve their academic and professional goals. Funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, SSSP focuses on increasing retention, persistence, and graduation rates for first-generation and low-income students. In collaboration with University services, SSSP provides academic support, career counseling, a computer lab, cultural and educational activities, financial literacy, graduate school preparation, holistic advice, mentoring, and personal development opportunities.

TRIO SSSP Webpage

CSUN Awards for Diversity

These are the awards California State University, Northridge has received on their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award annually recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification awarded by Excelencia in Education that recognizes colleges and universities serving Latinx students. Certified institutions have been able to articulate and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to intentionally serve Latinx students, while serving all students.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal hosted its first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards in 2022 and honored CSUN for their work in creating an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment.

California State University, Northridge ranks the highest in the Western region and of the United States and number three nationwide for their diversity 

Wall Street Journal Article Link

 

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