Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are a collection of individuals who either share an identity, or value/worldview based on social identities. There are multiple student Affinity Groups at the University of Denver that provide spaces of connection, respite, and community. Most affinity groups at DU are race-specific groups who also welcome allies, but a few bring together students based on religious identity and gender and sexuality who are historically underrepresented.
The following organizations are mostly undergraduate Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) with Undergraduate Student Government (USG), but we continue to add graduate Affinity Groups as we learn of them. The USG Diversity Committee (DivCom) oversees the facilitation and additional funding for member organizations of Joint Council. Joint Council consists of representatives from multiple underrepresented affinity groups who are RSOs. The Cultural Center works closely with USG Diversity Committee and Joint Council (a subgroup of DivCom), but the groups are self -governing.
and autonomous of the center. Check out the groups below to find a community to plug into either as a member yourself, or as an ally.
Student Groups
African Students United
Our mission African Students United is to create a space to celebrate educate, and participate in the understanding of the many rich, diverse cultures of Africa. Through African cultural events, it will introduce multiple features of African food, dance, music, etc. This organization’s purpose is to serve African students and its allies at the University of Denver to create an inclusive institution. African Students United ultimately aims to make this a celebrated and appreciated identity on campus.
*Joint Council Member
Asian Student Alliance
The mission of the Asian Student Alliance at the University of Denver (ASA DU) is to provide a support group for each Asian American student on campus while addressing academic, political, and social issues through community events aimed at cultivating a stronger understanding between different groups, volunteering in the local community, and networking on campus. While we are Asian interest, we are not Asian exclusive. ASA will also work in collaboration with all other student organizations and affinity groups to promote and educate the community about inclusive excellence.
*Joint Council Member
Black Graduate Student Alliance
The Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) at the University of Denver aims to provide and facilitate advocacy, community, resource-sharing, and professional development. For more information please contact the 2021-2022 President, Cory Jackson, or Advisor, Dr. Andriette Jordan-Fields.
Black Student Alliance
The University of Denver’s Black Student Alliance is an organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and solidarity on campus. One of our organization's main focuses is to foster the personal development of our membership, and to encourage them to become active community contributors.
*Joint Council Member
Chabad
Chabad at the University of Denver is dedicated to serving all students on campus through various programs. We provide the education and means to support knowledge, awareness, and practice of Judaism, which allows students of all backgrounds to experience the individual religious tradition of every student on campus and as the Jewish tradition strongly discourages proselytizing and conversation, participation in programs that may have a component of religious observance are being offered to non-Jewish students as a cultural and educational experience.
Feminist Student Alliance
We, the Feminist Student Alliance, strive to empower undergraduate students at the University of Denver to be their authentic selves through action, discussion and awareness. We're committed to maintaining a sustainable student voice as the FSA works to create support for gender and women's issues.
Hillel
We build a Jewish community whose values enrich the lives of students during their college years and beyond.
*Joint Council Member
Hillel of Colorado seeks to engage, empower and work with Jewish college students to create Jewish community at CSU, CU and DU and at other Colorado campuses. Hillel provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity. Hillel of Colorado is part of the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. We are located at 2390 S Race St, on the corner of Race & Wesley.
Latine Student Alliance
The purpose of the Latine Student Alliance will be to create and provide a strong and positive support group for Latine populations on campus through the promotion of cultural awareness and inclusivity. In order to address academic, social, and political issues LSA will provide cultural events, community involvement, advocacy, and student support while cooperating with other groups and communities across campus. In doing so, LSA will promote awareness and unity throughout the University of Denver.
*Joint Council Member
Muslim Student Association
The Muslim Students Association (MSA) at DU is a non-exclusive student organization comprised of students at the University of Denver who are interested in building bridges between the Muslim minority on campus and the greater DU community. We provide access and engagement to the Muslim community on campus and create a prophetic community.
*Joint Council Member
Native Student Alliance
The Native Student Alliance is a community here at the University of Denver consisting of (but not limited to) students and faculty of Indigenous American descent. Our main goal as an organization is to increase awareness and allies on DU’s campus and to provide fellowship and support for members, as well as promoting diversity. Starting with just seven students in the Native community, that has now turned into having more than thirty Native students on campus. Our group is diverse in terms of culture, language and tradition. Everyday we are always learning and that is one of our unique qualities that helps us persevere together.
*Joint Council Member
The Neurodiversity Resource Group
Neurodiversity refers to how natural variety in brain structures and functions impacts our human experiences. There is a lot of negative stigma surrounding disabilities, including invisible disabilities like ADHD, dyslexia, and Autism. Viewing disabilities as neurodiversities showcases our differences in thinking and learning, rather than looking at them as deficits. The Neurodiversity Resource Group is a cohort of students who want to make DU more accessible and help build understanding of neurodiversity across campus. It is open to students of with any kind of disability and nondisabled students who are our allies and peers. The goal of NRG is to act as a resource for the DU community. We hope to advocate for students with disabilities and learning differences, create informational programming for students, faculty and staff, and build a community of students who identify as neurodiverse.
Queer Student Alliance
We strive to create a system that: encourages cooperation, coordination, cohesion, and communication among all students; enhances student development through educational and social programming; promotes the welfare of the university community as a whole through advocacy; and establishes an effective and representative body for LGBTQIA+ related issues.
*Joint Council Member
South Asian Student Association
Our mission is to embody the equivalent of a cultural center for South Asian students on campus. We strive to create an inclusive community that enables the celebration and discussion of our culture while informing others of it. By creating such an environment, students have a safe place to practice their culture in case they are unable to otherwise.
*Joint Council Member
Want to learn about upcoming events?
Check out this Diversity Committee website with upcoming events from Joint Council Member Organizations!
Division of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Check out more campus-wide resources and groups on DDEI’s website!