SEAS Staff Affinity Groups

Affinity groups are valuable additions to our workplace. They can help to cultivate bonds between employees by providing a forum to connect over shared identities and interests. Belonging to an affinity group has many benefits, among which are opportunities for leadership, reduced stress, new friendships, an increased sense of belonging, and greater workplace satisfaction. These groups are not intended to create extra labor; rather, they are an additional avenue for bringing about fellowship, fun, and camaraderie should you choose to involve yourself. We are asking that these groups be led by SEAS staff members but are open to participation by anyone working in SEAS.

Get Involved

We welcome SEAS staff submitting their affinity group or group idea here. Before filling out the form, there are a few important things you should know. Details about these affinity groups is being gathered by Christine Lightner expressly for the purpose of sharing that information on the SEAS website. SEAS is not a sponsor of any affinity group and does not expressly align with any views or activities of these groups. Furthermore, should minors ever be present for the activities of a group a legal guardian must be present with them at all times.

We invite you to propose a group that you would like to lead. By creating a group, you are agreeing that you will connect with others at SEAS with similar interests without receiving any funding or resources from SEAS for your activities. You are also agreeing that your group will not convene for any illegal purpose, will not discriminate against any interested participants, and will not substantially deviate from our established and shared SEAS Mission, Vision, and Values.

Please note that any affinity group that operates for an illegal purpose, in a discriminatory manner, or where activities substantially deviate from the SEAS Mission, Vision, and Values will be removed from the website at the discretion of the SEAS Chief Administrative Officer, SEAS Director of Human Resources, and/or SEAS Dean (or based on the recommendation of the University Office of the General Counsel). Questions and concerns, including accessibility assistance or other matters: reach out to Christine Lightner ([email protected]).

Affinity Group Policies 

Equal Opportunity

The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital or parentage status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status. As such, any and all affinity groups created at SEAS must abide by this same standard of non-discrimination and inclusivity. Any group operating in an exclusionary or discriminatory manner may be removed from this page at the recommendation of the Chief Administrative Officer, SEAS Director of Human Resources, SEAS Dean, or University Office of the General Counsel.

Group Operations

SEAS will provide this webpage space to host group information and leadership contact information. SEAS cannot provide administrative support to groups and cannot recruit or retrain membership information for your group. Groups and group leaders are responsible for membership recruitment and intake and correspondence related to their group. Any event sponsored by SEAS for Affinity Groups will be open to all groups, leaders, and members. SEAS will not sponsor or fund any groups. If meeting in person groups should meet during their lunch hours or before or after work hours.