Active Affinity Groups

Descriptions and Statement of Purpose

African Student Association

Established: Fall 2021

Description: This group is meant to provide affinity for African students or of African descent. The intention behind creating this group is bringing together all students from the continent and offer them a safe space and opportunities to interact as well as opportunities to help spread knowledge to the rest of the institution. As an affinity group we are committed to cultural, intellectual, economic, and political awareness about the African continent.

Statement of Purpose: Creating links between the various cultural, ethnic and religious groups found within Africa. By forming those links not only are the affinity group members having a safe space with each other, on a campus where they represent a minority, but also develop their global citizenship skills and courage for the journey ahead.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Asian Diasporas

Established: Spring 2020

Description: To provide a safe space for individuals who identify as part of the Asian diaspora.

Statement of Purpose: Asian Diasporas will serve as a space to engage with and learn from but not limited to, Asian activism locally and globally at the discursive level in centering colonized voices and at the praxis level through academic conferences, local call-to-actions, speakers, workshops, and other means of mobilization for communities we are in solidarity with, as necessary. By doing so, it connects to Soka's mission statement of fostering global citizens.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Black Student Union

Established: Spring 2020

Description: The group is meant to provide an affinity for Black people. Our values include cultural awareness, a sense of community, and inclusion. The intention of forming this affinity group is to provide a safe community.

Statement of Purpose: This affinity group was created in recognition that black students at SUA lacked and longed for a space to come together as a community. To remedy this unfortunate situation, we created the Black Student Union, where we celebrate all cultures and discuss all struggles faced by Black people. Our cardinal goal is to create a sanctuary for Black students and find ways to safely engage with the Soka community at large. To achieve this, we plan to increase cultural awareness and introduce social norms on campus to ensure a fulfilling experience at Soka, while simultaneously realizing SUA values where "education is an integrating process in which students gain an awareness of the interdependence of themselves, others, and the environment."

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

First Gen

Established: Spring 2022

Description: First Gen is a safe space for students who identify as first-generation students, someone whose parents did not complete college. This space recognizes the additional obstacles first-generation students face navigating college without external support networks. First Gen is a student-driven affinity group that will share experiences, learn from others, and grow together. We will provide a space where students can have access to resources, engage in professional development, and mentors.

Statement of Purpose: The mission of First Gen is to develop a support system for students who identify as first-generation students. We believe that students deserve the right to an equitable education system that values and acknowledges where students come from and their backgrounds.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Jew Crew

Established: Spring 2020

Description: Jew Crew was founded as a way to ensure that all Jewish students at Soka feel that they have a safe space to express themselves and find a community. With that came the goal of celebrating holidays and traditions, and ensuring that we welcome all those who have a tie to the Jewish community; regardless of whether that tie is religious or cultural. We celebrate values of compassion and inclusion, and seek to celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions whilst educating the larger campus community about the Jewish faith and our practices.

Statement of Purpose: We seek to celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions as a community whilst also providing educational opportunities for any member of the larger campus community who is curious about the Jewish faith and its traditions. Our direct goals are to host events celebrating major Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Passover, etc.) and other educational events related to the Jewish faith and community. As a part of Soka, we seek to educate and include all those who are willing to learn about what it is to be Jewish.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Latines Unides

Established: Spring 2020

Description:  Latines Unides creates a safe space for SUA members who identify as Latine to share their cultures, languages, and struggles. Latines Unides emerged from a lack of community and visibility for Latine students on campus. Thus, it aims to foster a sense of community, promote Latine visibility, and make Latine voices heard on campus. Latines Unides offers the opportunity for Latine students and the campus community to highlight, celebrate, and appreciate various aspects of the Latine community.

Statement of Purpose: The mission of Latines Unides is to create a community for Latinx students to engage in discussions about the diverse identities and intersections within the Latinx community, issues affecting the Latine community on- and off-campus, and current events relevant to the Latine community. Latines Unides offers a space for Latine students to discuss, share, and educate. Latines Unides also seeks to increase Latine visibility on campus and organize around issues relevant to its members.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

LGBTeam

Established: Spring 2020

Description: The LGBTeam is Soka's version of a gender-sexuality alliance. Its main purpose is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies to discuss and address pertinent issues on campus. Our group gained prominence with events such as Drag Ball and Coming Out Lounge, and our participation in efforts to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ students such as the implementation of gender and sex neutral housing.

Statement of Purpose: The LGBTeam's main purpose is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies to discuss and address pertinent issues on campus.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Muslim Student Assocation

Established: Spring 2020

Description: Muslim Student Association is a space that provides support for Muslim students on campus, assists Muslim students, and finds resources needed. We aim to participate in dialogues about religions and faith and to promote awareness and education about Islamic culture. We also do charity events and aim to engage the SOKA community to be part of it.

Statement of Purpose: We, the Muslim Student Association, intend to facilitate involvement and provide representation for Muslim students and their interests on SOKA's campus in addition to celebrating the Islamic faith and the various cultures associated with it. SOKA's MSA seeks to accomplish this mission by fostering a tolerant, vibrant, and diverse community that will provide forums for discussing the realities of Muslims on SOKA's campus and worldwide, facilitate ritual observances and spiritual practices of Muslim students, organize cultural events to celebrate Islam and Muslim students' experiences, and actively engage the surrounding communities through education and civil service.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Southeast Asian Student Association

Established: Spring 2020

Description: Membership of SEASA shall be open to students of Soka University of America who self-identify as Southeast Asian. The SEASA exists with the purpose to provide a network and community of Southeast Asian students and those with an invested interest in Southeast Asia to promote cultural awareness, increased representation, and visibility on campus.

Statement of Purpose: The goals are to build a sense of community and belonging among the SUA Southeast Asian community, to support institutional racial and social justice initiatives by ensuring SEASA perspectives are represented, and to provide personal and professional development opportunities for SEASA members. Through a commitment to education, active participation, collaboration, and culture, SEASA aims to unite and empower the Southeast Asian community at Soka. By fostering an open space to share experiences and build community consciousness, SEASA hopes to support the growth of a diverse student body, a robust alumni network, and a strengthened sense of community.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Students with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions (SWDCC)

Established: Spring 2020

Description: The group provides a space for anyone who identifies as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill within the Soka community. There are many disabled people that exist globally, and in a plethora of ways that may not be obvious to an outside observer, so we want to make it clear that all are welcome no matter how their disability presents. We want to provide care, aid, resources, and most importantly an ear to hear from fellow disabled students.

Statement of Purpose:  We want this space to ensure that we are all collectively taken care of and supported in our endeavors while here at Soka.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!

Womxn

Established: Spring 2023

Description: Our mission is to create a safe space to discuss Womxn's issues for those who have experienced or feel personally connected to them. We want our members to feel like their life experiences can be shared, and their voices can be heard. Our overall mission is to make an impact on the community at SUA. We want our affinity group to raise awareness, inspire inclusivity and kindness, and promote activism.

Statement of Purpose:  We want to create a safe space for members of the Womxn community. Our goal is to empower and support Womxn through affinity group meetings, community workshops/events, and volunteering.

If you wish to join this group, click here to get started!