Event

LGBTQIA2S+ Symposium 2024

  • March 7-8, 2024 • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT
  • Sacramento, California

We Aspire to Move from Conversation to Change

Inspired by conversations at our 2022 CSU Student Success Network Conference and ongoing conversations in the CSU, the Network is excited to announce a two-day, in-person LGBTQIA2S+ Student Success Symposium, March 7-8, 2024 in Sacramento, for LGBTQIA2S+ focused student services professionals, researchers, faculty, and students from across the CSU. Like our annual conference, this symposium will be a space for cross-system conversations where participants will share knowledge and practices related to advancing LGBTQIA2S+ student equity and well-being.

We aspire to move from conversation to change through action-oriented dialogues as we imagine and collaborate on ideas to work towards a CSU where LGBTQIA2S+ students can thrive.

Breakfast and check-in will begin at 8:00 AM on both March 7th and 8th at the conference site.

Symposium activities (plenaries and breakout sessions) will take place from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days.

Fees

Registration for non-student attendees will be $100 and will include attendance at the two day symposium and breakfast and lunch on both days during the event. Dinner will also be provided on the 7th. Additionally, for the first 100 registrants, two nights of lodging at the conference venue will be included. Registrants beyond the first 100 will be responsible for securing their own lodging.

Registration for current CSU students is free and includes two nights of lodging.


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Learning Outcomes

Equity

  • Increase understanding of equity opportunities and challenges

Knowledge

  • Learn about practical, evidence-based examples of student success efforts

Relationships

  • Build relationships with colleagues at your campus and from across the CSU who are involved in campus-level efforts to support equitable student success
  • Identify connections among student success efforts across the CSU

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Acommodations

Attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the Symposium through their home campus processes. The Network will not be reimbursing travel costs for this event.

  • Hotel name: DoubleTree Sacramento
  • Location: 2001 Point W Way, Sacramento, CA 95815

Gender inclusive restrooms will be available on site.

Lodging while attending the LGBTQIA2S+ Symposium will be provided by the Student Success Network for the first 100 registrants, inclusive of student attendees. These registrants will have lodging confirmed through their registration submission and will not need to contact the venue directly. Registrants beyond the first 100 will be responsible for funding and securing their own lodging.

The priority deadline to register for confirmed lodging at the DoubleTree Sacramento is February 2.

Registrants will be notified of the status of their lodging request by February 16.

Airport Information

The nearest airport is Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (SMF). Please use a taxi or ride sharing service (whichever is most economical) to and from the airport and consider carpooling.

If you are flying, please book travel as soon as possible following your campus’s procedures.

Meals

Meals will be provided for all attendees.


If you have any food restrictions, require certain physical accommodations with regards to lodging, or have other needs that we should know about, please indicate on your registration form and notify us at studentsuccessnetwork@edinsightscenter.org immediately.

Important Dates
  • Session Dates: March 7-8, 2024
  • Registration Deadlines: February 26, 2024 (For those requesting lodging: February 2, 2024)
  • Lodging Notifications: February 16, 2024

PROGRAM & SCHEDULE

Day 1 (Thursday, March 7)

Time & Activity
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast and Check In
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM Welcome

This context-setting conversation will address the various social, political, and educational landscapes that LGBTQIA2S+ students are navigating during their degree completion journeys in the CSU.

Speakers

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM Break

This presentation will explore the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ identity and neurodivergency through a discussion of terminology and research related to these intersections. The speaker will discuss what CSUs can do inside and outside the classroom to better support LGBTQIA2S+ neurodivergent students.

Speakers

Despite increased visibility and representation within institutions of higher learning, 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) students continue to face challenges completing their degrees. This presentation discusses a Network memo that examines the literature associated with Pride centers, a common tool used to support the academic and personal success of 2SLGBTQIA+, queer and transgender students. It also provides a review of the 23 campuses within the California State University System to analyze the presence of Pride centers; the availability of full-time staff dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students; and the programs, services, and resources offered to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Speakers

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM Lunch

It’s been 13 years since California Assembly Bill 620 passed and consequently “requested” actions from the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governing board of each community college district. One of the requests was to allow the faculty, staff, and students to identify their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression on any forms used to collect that demographic data, as appropriate.

Six years later the California Gender Recognition Act was signed into law (CA Senate Bill 170, 2017) which allowed CA citizens to change their gender on a new birth certificate to be female, male, or nonbinary. We now live in a demographic quagmire for sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. In this presentation, we will unravel how we got here, what is currently happening, and where we might be going.

Speakers

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM Break

In light of the CSU’s ongoing commitment to addressing equity gaps, this presentation, based on a memo published by the CSU Student Success Network, addresses the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA2S+ students within the system. Drawing from recent studies, this presentation explores three pivotal areas of concern that have been identified regarding the support needed for LGBTQIA2S+ students on our campuses.

Speakers

A Quantitative Critical Theory (QuantCrit) framework, rooted within Critical Race Theory, recognizes that numbers alone do not capture the complex social, cultural, and historical contexts that shape our students’ experiences. QuantCrit challenges us to move beyond surface-level statistics and delve deeper into the qualitative aspects of students’ lives while keeping a social justice and equity-oriented mindset.

This presentation, based on a memo published by the Network, brings forth key challenges with SOGI demographic data collection and explores other approaches used to understand the experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ students, using a QuantCrit lens. The hope is to contribute to ongoing conversations within the CSU community about enhancing policies and practices to better recognize, support, and empower our LGBTQIA2S+ populations.

Speakers

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Break

Educators across the CSU will engage in conversation around the challenges, opportunities, and joys of teaching LGBTQIA2S+ students, content, and classes.

Speakers

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Setting Priorities for Day 2
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner

Day 2 (Friday, March 8)

Time & Activity
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast and Check In

Speakers

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM Break

From the challenges to the joys, students will discuss their experiences as LGBTQIA2S+ students in the CSU. The students will issue calls to attendees and the CSU to improve visibility, support, opportunities, and education for LGBTQIA2S+ students pursuing their degrees.

Speakers

11:45 AM - 1:30 PM Lunch

In these sessions, attendees will come together to discuss current efforts underway at their campuses to support LGBTQIA2S+ student equity and identify priorities for improving LGBTQIA2S+ student equity, education, and wellness.

Attendees who wish to continue to be in conversation with LGBTQIA2S+ advocates across the system will choose a community of practice related to one of the identified priorities. The Network will host three webinars throughout the year to provide continued support for the communities of practice that emerge from the symposium.

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM Break

In these sessions, attendees will come together to discuss current efforts underway at their campuses to support LGBTQIA2S+ student equity and identify priorities for improving LGBTQIA2S+ student equity, education, and wellness.

Attendees who wish to continue to be in conversation with LGBTQIA2S+ advocates across the system will choose a community of practice related to one of the identified priorities. The Network will host three webinars throughout the year to provide continued support for the communities of practice that emerge from the symposium.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Wrap Up, Evaluation, Meditation