Inclusion and Equity
Statement of Impartiality and Equal Opportunity
The Consortium’s leadership and management, including its Board of Directors, endorse the principles of impartiality and equal opportunity, and commit to act impartially and equitably in relation to its applicants, candidates, and certificants, including but not limited to:
- applying its standards and requirements for exams and certifications equally to all individuals regardless of race; color; national origin; religion; sex; age; gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; veteran status; disability; marital status; personal appearance; family responsibilities; genetic information; political affiliation; place of residence or business; position title; source of income; caste; credit information; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking; reproductive health decision making; or any other basis protected by law;
- implementing its policies and procedures impartially and fairly;
- not restricting certification based on undue financial or other limiting conditions, and;
- not allowing commercial, financial, or other pressures to compromise impartiality in certification activities.
Inclusion, Equity, and Engagement Committee
The Consortium is committed to the values of inclusion and equity. The Inclusion, Equity, and Engagement Committee is appointed by the Certification Consortium Board of Directors to support and advise on matters related to equitable access and inclusion in certification programs and potential barriers to access with special consideration for members of the student affairs and services community holding marginalized and historically excluded identities. The Committee makes recommendations on related improvements to the certification program.
The Committee's work includes:
- Promoting the goals of inclusion, equity, and engagement in student affairs educator certification.
- Informing, supporting, and engaging in mentoring and pipeline programs into certification for student affairs educators with minoritized identities, as well as educators not yet eligible for certification.
- Making recommendations regarding potential barriers to certification and improvement of Consortium procedures affecting equitable access and achievement of certification, particularly for individuals with marginalized identities.
Social Justice and Inclusion Recertification Requirement
All CSAEd™ Core and Specialty Area certificants are required to obtain a minimum number of Social Justice and Inclusion-focused CE credits for recertification. These are CE credits focused on the process, outcomes, and dynamic influence of individual and institutional awareness and action to foster inclusion, create equity, and ensure access grounded in the understanding of systems of oppression and privilege and how they are perpetuated in our practice and communities.
The 2021 practice profile survey of the student affairs profession contributed to the foundation of the Student Affairs Educator Certification program. The survey results indicated that tasks associated with social justice and inclusion changed significantly or moderately, and in more than any other domain area, in the past five years. Additionally, tasks associated with social justice and inclusion are anticipated to change significantly or moderately, and in more than any other domain area, in the next five years.
This recertification requirement emphasizes the critical importance of social justice and inclusion to inform student affairs work, as well as reflects the student affairs practice analysis findings regarding previous and expected changes in this area.