Diversity and Pluralism

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to games. Diversity brings in new ideas and experiences, and people can learn from each other. Bringing in different ideas and perspectives leads to better problem-solving, and working in diverse teams opens dialogue and promotes creativity. Simply put, a more diverse games community and games industry will create better games.

Diversity and pluralism are related terms, but are different. From the Pluralism Project at Harvard University:

Pluralism is not the sheer fact of diversity alone, but is active engagement with that diversity. It requires participation and engagement, and is more than the mere tolerance of differences; it requires knowledge of them. Tolerance alone does not require people to know anything about one another, and so it can let us harbor all the stereotypes and half-truths we want to believe... Pluralism is the process of creating a society through critical and self-critical encounter with one another, acknowledging, rather than hiding, our deepest differences. Not everyone at the “table” will agree with one another; the process of public dialogue will inevitably reveal areas of disagreement as well. Pluralism involves the commitment to be at the table.

Promoting understanding is important within our Collective. EGD consists of a mix of brave spaces and safe spaces to ensure everyone feels comfortable and to allow space for students to grow as they learn more about the world and the diversity within it. Staff are equipped to educate, and members are not expected to do that labor. Our Support Service Coordinators are there so students can ask questions, and to provide support and conflict resolution to students that need it.

As a part of our initiatives, members may join identity-based SIGs - such as MaGeS (for all people of marginalized genders), and LGBTQIA+. These SIGs host internal events that promote connections within the community and offer safe spaces, as well as educational events open to the wider Collective.

EGD will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, or predisposing genetic characteristics. In addition, to ensure full equality of opportunity in all operations and activities of the organization, every staff member employed in EGD shall be selected under fair employment procedures that provide equal employment opportunities to all people. There shall be special efforts in affirmative action in the recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion of persons from underutilized ethnically and racially diverse groups and individuals with disabilities, and to make reasonable accommodations for physical and mental limitations of employees and applicants consistent with performance of essential job functions and the effective operations of the business.

All EGD SIGs shall be responsible for seeing that membership is reflective of the pluralistic nature of their populations and that membership is extended to all students in all population segments and geographic areas in their jurisdictions. An individual who meets or can meet membership requirements shall not be denied admission or access to an EGD program because of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, predisposing genetic characteristics, or disability. Reasonable accommodations shall be made for individuals with disabilities to ensure that individuals have access to activities.