Employee Resource Group Definition
At the very core, all Employee Resource Group (ERGs) will have:
- Financial and Executive support from the university via a Sponsoring Office
- Provide university-wide focus and representation
- Operate with a governance process in place
Additionally, to be a university recognized ERG, the group itself must serve to support a community that is a protected class as defined by the EEOC or a historically underrepresented/marginalized group both of which have had little to no representation in the formation of university policies, overall recruitment, and/or retention. These communities are groups with which the university wants to foster a deeper sense of community. ERGs will typically be formed around identifiers such as:
- Race
- Religion
- Ability/Individuals with Disabilities
- Veteran Status
- Age
- Sex/Gender/Gender Identity
There may be other groups that wish to form that should be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. Please see the "New University Recognized ERG Process" for additional information.
All other groups that may form at the university will be defined as a university affinity group. The "Employee Resource Group" title cannot be utilized by affinity groups unless an exception has been previously identified. Please contact Talent Acquistion & Outreach if you see a misuse of the "Employee Resource Group" title.