A highlight of the year for all ERGs was participating in the second annual UCOP EDI Conference in early October 2024.

In recognition of National Employee Resource Group (ERG) Day on Nov. 17, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Department is celebrating the accomplishments of UCOP’s ERGs over the past calendar year. UCOP’s vibrant staff organizations — which all employees are encouraged to join — continue to provide unique programming and advocacy within our community, with the support of executive sponsors. Their combined impact helps build a culture of inclusion across all UCOP locations.

Collective 2024 accomplishments

In 2024, UCOP welcomed its ninth employee resource group (Veterans Among US) and a new affinity group (Allies for All Abilities). UCOP’s ERG leadership community provided valuable feedback on organizational processes and selected a representative to serve on the newly formed EDI Council. Members also created a new partnership with Internal Communications via the ERG Communications Advisory Group, which meets monthly to discuss and provide feedback on employee communications.

Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association (APISA)

Over the past year, APISA organized several well-attended employee engagement events, including celebrations of Lunar New Year, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and Filipino History Month. (APISA’s Diwali celebration will take place Nov. 19!) At these events, attendees enjoyed delicious food and learned about diverse cultural traditions from across Asia and the Pacific Islands. In October, APISA partnered with Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity Affairs (GUEA) to feature “Sons of Chinatown” author William Gee Wong. They also hosted the second annual UC Systemwide AAPI Staff Symposium, tabled and spoke at the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education Conference and held various listening spaces throughout the year for staff to convene and discuss difficult events.

Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO)

BSFO had a hugely successful year, meeting its goals to inform and educate members and UCOP colleagues on history, health and wealth, and current events impacting the BSFO and UCOP communities. This included large-scale events, including several activities during Black History Month, the week of Juneteenth and a fall Health and Wellness Month. They collaborated with multiple partners, including several UCOP ERGs and UC Berkeley’s BSFO, on activities and enhanced community engagement by hosting volunteer events and donation drives during the holiday season. BSFO continued to build on traditions through a hybrid reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” (featuring comments from UC Santa Cruz emeriti faculty John Childs) and meetings with senior UC leadership. BSFO members also revitalized its committee at UCPath to encourage collaboration between UCOP locations. Finally, BSFO continued the annual tradition of fundraising for scholarships benefitting UC students — this year members raised and awarded $7,000 to deserving local youth.

Latinx Staff Association (LaSA)

Since 2023, LaSA has held a series of its virtual Charla de la Tarde (afternoon chat) events. Speakers have included members such as Frances Contreras, dean of the UC Irvine School of Education; Rodrigo Dominguez Villegas, director of research and the Latino Data Hub at the Latino Policy and Politics Institute at UCLA; and UC Alianza MX. In 2023 LaSA also held a Plática (talk) with “Encanto” producer Yvett Merino. LaSA has also continued its annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations in 2023 and 2024, offering sugar skull decorations and virtual and physical Ofrendas (altars) for colleagues to remember departed loved ones. Continuing its tradition of fundraising, LaSA held a bake sale in December 2023 to support its scholarship efforts. This past May, LaSA collaborated with BSFO to produce an event featuring UCSF experts on how culture influences mental health. Most recently, LaSA welcomed Manuel Kauss, UCPath benefits supervisor, during World Mental Health Day for a presentation on mental health resources available for UCOP employees.

Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander Staff Association (NAIPISA)

In November 2023, NAIPISA collaborated with GUEA and the Cal Native and Indigenous Alumni Association to welcome Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino from Café Ohlone, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Participants learned about the restaurant’s founding and tried Indigenous cuisine. In June 2024, NAIPISA welcomed musician, author and community organizer Dr. Lyla June Johnston for a discussion on navigating imposter syndrome. In August, NAIPISA also collaborated with APISA to host a Lūʻau in Oakland, featuring food tastings from Hawaiʻi!

OP Staff Assembly (OPSA)

Over the past year, OPSA has celebrated numerous significant milestones. One of the standout highlights was hosting the Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) at UCPath in the fourth quarter of 2023. This marked the first time OPSA had the privilege of organizing this event, which provided CUCSA delegates with a first-hand look at UCPath operations, as well as an opportunity to engage with UCOP leaders. OPSA also successfully hosted two events with RASC — one in November 2023 and the other in March 2024 — reintroducing OPSA to staff as UCOP emerged from the challenges of COVID-19.

President’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women (PACSW)

PACSW’s activities throughout the past year promoted professional development for women at UCOP, explored ways to foster a more equitable climate at UCOP and connected UC women. Members facilitated free professional headshots, hosted networking events and highlighted UC women leaders through the “Women We Admire” speaker series, which featured former UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ, Systemwide Vice President for Research and Innovation Teresa Maldonado and Lady Idos, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. PACSW hosted safe-space equity chats and identified policies that limit access to equal representation and opportunities for all women at UCOP. Members fostered connections that benefit women at UC through a fun bracelet-making event for International Women’s Day, a co-hosted book reading and “meet-the-author” event with GUEA, and several community service events. PACSW’s 15th anniversary celebration capped off the year, honoring the meaningful accomplishments of members over the years.

UCOP Pride

UCOP Pride has been working to foster community engagement for the UCOP LGBTQ+ community and allies. Members celebrated Pride Month in June by hosting ice cream socials in Oakland and at UCPath, marched in the Oakland Pride Parade in September and commemorated National Coming Out Day in October. They also held several social events and educational webinars for UCOP staff, along with their executive sponsors. In addition, after many years of advocacy, UCOP Pride celebrated the beginning of construction on gender-inclusive restrooms in Oakland; they look forward to the facilities opening in spring 2025.

Sustainability Employee Resource Group (SERG)

In December 2023, SERG collaborated with OPSA to conduct a virtual winter holiday wrap presentation to help staff make sustainable gift-wrapping choices; SERG also held a holiday wrap party in Oakland and at UCPath. In April, SERG held a series of Earth Month events that included a lunch and learn on zero-waste lifestyles and a crop-swap event.

Veterans Among US (VAUS)

This year, VAUS reached several key milestones. Members gained recognition as an official ERG, strengthening their purpose and presence. In August, they held a Purple Heart Day “Meet & Treat” to honor Purple Heart recipients. In October, members co-sponsored a Hispanic Heritage Month event with LaSA, celebrating cultural diversity and unity. VAUS leadership also attended the EDI Conference for the first time, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity. These achievements reflect VAUS members’ dedication to supporting veterans and promoting a culture of respect and appreciation across the university.

Learn more — and join an ERG

Engaging with ERGs offers all colleagues a unique opportunity to learn, network with others, grow as professionals and make an impact — and the EDI Department encourages you to participate! Learn more about UCOP’s ERGs or join an ERG here.

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