By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

University Diversity and Compliance (UDC) has responded to the challenge of the Board of Trustees to explore and create new methods for attracting and supporting diversity on campus. As a result, Employee Resource Groups were established to support and promote diversity among employees.

Modeled after a DaimlerChrysler program, OU’s first four ERGs were created in September 2004, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning; Asian-Indian; women; and black and African-American groups. Each group is open to all employees, even if they don’t belong to a certain demographic.

“The ERGs are a proactive way for faculty and staff to get involved with a group on campus that supports common ideas,” said Joi Cunningham, director of University Diversity and Compliance.

The groups are employee-managed and meet regularly. Each group has an upper-level employee sponsor, who makes sure the interests of the group are heard at the highest level. 

Each ERG is given a $2,000 annual budget and can develop initiatives to educate through business and social functions.

The UDC hopes to develop more Employee Resource Groups in the future. For more information or if you have an idea for more ERGs, contact UDC at (248) 370-3496 or e-mail cunning3@oakland.edu.