Understanding and Supporting Identities

As individuals, we each belong to multiple identity groups—based on visible and invisible physical, social, and emotional characteristics. These identities include things like class year, academic college or major, age, (dis)ability status, race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Our social identities shape how we see ourselves and how others perceive and interact with us.  

 Understanding and respecting our own and one another’s intersecting identities is essential to creating inclusive, supportive environments, especially when planning events or setting expectations for your members. If you’d like to explore more about social identities, the Center for Dialogue and Pluralism offers helpful resources.  

Why Identity Awareness Matters 

Because individual identities influence experiences, as a student leader it is important to consider how your decisions impact different members of your group. While the resources in this toolkit are not exhaustive, they offer key considerations to help you plan with empathy and build a supportive culture.  

Respecting Identities and Making Accommodations 

Religious and Spiritual Considerations 

• Be mindful of religious holidays when scheduling events or deadlines. For example, if you’re planning a retreat, check to see if it overlaps with religious holidays like Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Easter, or Diwali.  Check out the Religious Observance Accommodations resource from the Office of Spirituality and Meaning Making. 

Flexibility in Food & Drink

• Avoid assumptions about the ability or interest in participating in certain activities, specifically related to food and alcohol consumption.
• Provide food options that accommodate religious, cultural, and health-related dietary restrictions, as well as personal choice (e.g., halal, kosher, vegetarian, gluten-free). For example, at an event where you are ordering food, ask for dietary restrictions or needs in your RSVP form. 
• Learn more about how Cornell Dining supports Nutrition & Special Diets
• Ask about dietary needs in advance of events, and at the beginning of the semester as you are getting to know new members.
• Respect the many personal and social factors that influence someone’s use of alcohol or other drugs (e.g., religious beliefs, cultural identity, allergies, drug interactions, legal concerns, in recovery). For example, if your organization is hosting a tailgate before an athletic event make sure to provide non-alcoholic options besides water.
  • Understand how, within a group, team, or organization, the consumption of alcohol or other drugs may meet the University definition of Hazing.
  • Review University Policy 4.8 Alcohol and Other Drugs for additional information. 

Flexibility with Activities  

• Offer alternatives to physically demanding or socially intensive activities. Not everyone can or wants to participate in every type of activity. For example, if you’re organizing a group hike, consider offering an alternative like a picnic, a trivia game, or hanging out at the park area while others hike.  

Cultural and Ethnic Considerations 

• Respect, learn about, and celebrate different cultural backgrounds and traditions. As you express cultural appreciation, be sure to avoid cultural appropriation.
• Celebrate cultural diversity through inclusive programming. This makes space for different cultures to be seen, valued, and shared (e.g., host a potluck, collaborate with other student organizations, including music, art or performances from your members). 

Gender and Sexuality Considerations 

• Use inclusive language and pronouns. Include your own pronouns when you introduce yourself (e.g. “Hi, my name is Sam, and my pronouns are she/they pronoun”). Encourage individuals to list their names and pronouns during Zoom meetings.
• Avoid heteronormative assumptions in group activities or discussions, (e.g. instead of saying “bring your boyfriend”, say “bring your partner or a guest”).  

Disability and Neurodivergent Identities 

• Make sure your events and expectations are accessible to every attendee. Accessible meeting and event checklist.
• Allow for sensory-friendly environments and flexible participation, 

Socioeconomic Status 

• Avoid mandatory events that require financial means such as going out to dinner, clothing, or travel. Consider hosting a meal in an on-campus dining hall or hosting a potluck. 
• Be transparent about costs and offer financial support or alternatives whenever possible. Avoid requiring individuals to have matching outfits or expensive supplies. 

Age, Family Status, and Non-Traditional Situations 

• Be mindful that students may have different life experiences and circumstances. Some students have children, jobs, or other responsibilities in addition to their academic work and other Cornell commitments. 
• Offer flexible meeting times or asynchronous options when possible. 

 Practical Steps for Inclusion 

As student leaders, you are not expected to anticipate or know the needs of all the members of your organization, rather it is your responsibility to take action to make your organization welcoming and accessible. This can be done through regularly checking in with members about their needs and experiences. Collaborate with campus resources like Campus Activities, the Office of Spirituality and Meaning Making, or the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives (among many others) for support and guidance. Consider also any of the identity-based centers that comprise the Centers for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging.