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A Diverse & Inclusive Campus
SAIC is committed to an equitable, inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. From dedicated spaces to on-campus resources and initiatives furthering our goal of becoming a more anti-racist institution, students can find their community here. At SAIC, you belong.
Diversity Mission Statement
SAIC's primary purpose is to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive art and design school that animates the discovery and development of significant ideas and images. The School is committed to creating an equitable and just environment that values and respects its diverse community of faculty, students, and staff so that all at SAIC can have the opportunity to flourish.
Anti-Racism at SAIC
To better support its diverse community of artists, designers, and scholars, SAIC has made diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives a significant element of our planning efforts for more than a decade. These initiatives have established the current DEI staff positions in academic affairs and student affairs, diversified the reach of student admissions and faculty recruitment, incentivized diverse content in the curriculum, introduced DEI training for new community members, and increased programming and support structures to better nurture and create an environment that respects, values, and includes the backgrounds and perspectives of all our community members.
On-Campus and In the Classroom
Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides programming, support services, and advocacy for the SAIC student body, with a particular focus on underrepresented communities. The Multicultural Affairs page includes information on affinity student groups, current and past events, and resources for students, faculty, and staff.
Expanding the Curriculum
The Diversity Infusion Grant (DIG) was created to facilitate more intentional DEI practices in classrooms by faculty. The funds are intended to support faculty incorporating more diverse reading selections, a greater variety of global images, guest speakers, DEI pedagogy, and/or diversity related project assignments.
International Affairs
The Office of International Affairs houses both International Student Services, providing advising and resources to our international student population, and Study Abroad/Off-Campus, assisting students in pursuing wide-ranging educational experiences outside Chicago.
Aimée Beaubien, Twist Affix, 2017, cut-up inkjet prints, vintage c-prints, paracord, carabiners, miniature clothespins, oscillating fan, grow lights on fabric cord with dried gomphrena, eucalyptus, lemons, limes, and fallen acorns
Spaces to Create Community or Recharge
Cultural Oasis
The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion manages the Cultural Oasis, which was designed by students of color as a dedicated student place to connect across identities, experiences, and artistic practices to support the success and retention of SAIC’s students of color. The center is the realization of an action item of the School’s Anti-Racism Committee, a group of students, faculty, and staff formed in 2020 to identify ways to make SAIC more inclusive and equitable. The Cultural Oasis hosts a variety of programs designed to foster a culture of belonging at SAIC.
Meditation Room
Designed by an SAIC student, the room is invitational to meet your needs of peace and equanimity. It is intentionally located away from heavily traveled, common, or crowded areas to welcome all members of the community for the purpose of quiet contemplative practices, inner calmness, and mindful awareness.
Gender Neutral Restrooms
Located in every residence hall and academic building on campus, gender-neutral restrooms are safe for transgender, gender non-conforming, genderqueer people, as well as people of all gender identities and expressions.
The LeRoy Neiman Center
The LeRoy Neiman Center brings the SAIC community together and extends our campus into the urban fabric of Chicago. The first floor includes a street-level space for the student-run SITE Galleries, a curated video wall, and a programming/event space to hold everything from a lecture to an informal gathering. The second floor lounge and café enables our students, faculty, alumni, and staff to eat, meet, relax, discuss, get involved, and be inspired.
Student Affinity Groups
Approximately one-third of all student groups are affinity- or identity-based. Student affinity groups are established through the Office of Student Affairs’ Office of Campus Life by SAIC students around a shared interest, ideology, identity, experience, or common goal. These student-led groups are open to all members of the community, and provide opportunities to form meaningful connections. Groups will often host recurring meetings, or organize events such as festivals, symposia, panels, artist talks, and workshops.
Get Involved
With student groups and organizations—including many that are affinity- or identity-based—and a full schedule of events, there are many ways to get involved. Find belonging around shared experiences, ideas, and identities; and learn new perspectives. Learn more.
