We are all responsible and accountable for encouraging the belonging of all in our community. Here's how you can do your part.
Individuals who desire greater belonging
- Join a club or organization based on an identity you have or a passion that you want to pursue
- Work on projects and prepare for exams in a group
- Engage in peer mentoring and tutoring
- Step out of your bubble and try a new activity
- Seek connections with a professor, your R.A., your T.A., or your Messina mentor
Students who want to build a community of stronger belonging
- Invite someone to join a club or organization where you're a member
- Create a shared Google document for classmates to add notes and answer each other's questions
- Create a study group to prepare for exams – you're all in this together!
- Recognize and express accomplishments/growth
- Ask someone to join you for a cup of coffee or tea
- Be mindful of the impact that the décor in your room, on your backpack, or on your laptop might have on others
Faculty & Staff - Let's do our part
- Actively discuss belonging with your students – in and out of the classroom
- Cultivate a relationship with students (Get to know students; give them space to discuss their individual needs)
- Use a student's preferred pronouns
- Foster a sense of community in the classroom by establishing classroom respect
- Recognize and express accomplishments/growth
- Create opportunities for students to engage with each other through group projects
- Be mindful of asking students to talk about their personal experiences related to an aspect of identity versus having them speak for a group of which they are a member
- Call Disability Support Services instead of asking students about their accommodations in front of the class
- Pay attention to the décor in your office and images/language in your class materials and how it might impact students
- Help students get connected to appropriate resources
However you are connected to the Loyola community, there are ways for you to contribute to the sense of belonging within our community.