Goals / Objectives
- Provide support in all areas related to professional advancement and development.
- Provide mentorship for new staff and junior faculty as they acclimate to our SIUE environment.
- Provide a social network among Black faculty and staff across all SIUE campuses.
- Facilitate collaborations in teaching, scholarships and University programs.
- Maintain and ensure positive relationships between the University and its Black constituency throughout our SIUE campuses.
- Ensure inclusivity of the unique ideas, perspectives, experiences of Black faculty and staff across the University.
- Identify and persistently respond to issues which affect the welfare of Black faculty, staff and/or students at SIUE (especially as it relates to the mission of the University).
- Support of Black and African studies linked together to inform, advance, lift and promote initiatives for all employees.
- Encourage, strengthen and promote tenure for Black faculty.
- Establish a process for Black faculty and staff to address workplace issues and concerns without fear of retaliation and reprisals.
New Employee/Position Welcome
We recognize that transitioning into a new position or a new place of employment can be a jarring experience. Especially when you haven't had an opportunity to fully plug into the social connections necessary to feel a sense of belonging. Black Faculty and Staff Association wants to help ease that transition by formally welcoming each employee who identifies as Black/African American on campus! Not only do we want to add you to our listserv so that you'll receive updates on events and the latest information pertaining to our constituents, but we'd also like to personally greet you and spend some time acclimating and introducing you to friendly faces here at SIUE! If you yourself, a fellow employee or new hire would like to receive the "hand of fellowship" please submit their contact information and a member of our committee will reach out as soon as possible to formally welcome them into the fold.
Request an Advocacy Representative
Grievances, or disputes raised during the term of employment between an employee and their employer, are often necessary measures to resolve disagreements. Thus, to achieve its mission of ensuring equity, the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) extends itself to members of the SIUE community who are racialized as Black in all aspects of their rights, including the grievances process through an advocacy representative.
What Is an Advocacy Representative?
Advocacy representatives are employees of SIUE who, by education and experience, have shareable knowledge about successfully navigating the grievance processes. Advocacy representatives can advise on policy, best practices, and prudent courses of action even before the grievance process officially begins, and depending upon your Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the advocacy representative may accompany you in your grievance meetings if you choose to pursue a grievance. These persons in no way claim to provide legal counsel but practical and prudent information in the occasion that a dispute arises between you and the University or agent of the University.
If you are considering starting the grievance process or simply need a better understanding of your rights as a University employee, please complete the following form to connect with a BFSA advocacy representative.
