Responsive Engagement and Community Harmony (REACH)
"Everything we do, starts with listening"
The Office for Responsive Engagement and Community Harmony (REACH) is housed within the Student Affairs & Campus Diversity division as an umbrella for the University’s Responsive and Restorative Practices. REACH represents a collective of campus partners working together to create a safe, healthy and productive campus community.
REACH is comprised of the following areas:
Vision
We envision a campus community where everyone is valued and treated with respect,
dignity, and fairness, enabling all to thrive. A responsive and restorative campus
that integrates proactive community-building with relational approaches to harm, fostering
belonging and accountability over punitive measures.
Mission
The mission of REACH is to cultivate a healthy campus community and foster a sense
of belonging for all San Diego State students, faculty and staff, by providing structured
support in response to bias-related incidents, interpersonal conflict and Other Conduct
of Concern. We develop and implement practices that promote connectedness and belonging.
We build trust across differences, and transform tensions into meaningful opportunities
to grow and learn.
Intentions
Responsive Engagement involves a "dialogue" between intentions and experiences. It suggests a dynamic relationship
where our actions and intentions are shaped by the world. This approach emphasizes
exchange and adaptation and involves intensive purpose in a grounded context.
Campus Harmony highlights key strategies that promote engagement, respect, and collaboration in
a learning space. Harmony on a university campus refers to fostering a sense of peace,
cohesion, and inclusivity through supportive relationships, cultural awareness, and
positive academic environments.
By combining these concepts, our intentions at REACH are achieved through a combination
of culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, and intentional community-building.
These strategies foster belonging, safety, and participation among all SDSU community
members.
