Contacted Independent Organization (CIO) Diversity Statement
This page has been created in conformance of University of Virginia CIO policies.
As Adapted from the AISU Constitution
The Organization, heretofore known as the American Indian Student Union at the University of Virginia, will not restrict membership and/or activity by reason of age, citizenship, color, disability, gender, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam eras. Notwithstanding these requirements, the Organization may restrict membership based on an ability to perform the activities related to the Organization"s purpose. All members must have full- or part-time student status and be enrolled in a credit-earning degree program to be voting members. AISU may include several faculty and community members in their meetings and activities. These participants will most often be Elders and interested community members that are essential to the life and learning of the American Indian community. These participants will not be members for the purposes of voting on matters of governing this University of Virginia CIO, but their advice may be sought on a regular basis. Non-members may partake in off-Grounds activities, but only after signing a liability release form and with approval of the President.
Members that wish to be recognized as American Indians of AISU of a particular tribe or of multiple tribes should notify the President upon joining AISU. Federal recognition (either from the American or Canadian Governments), being a "visible minority", or certain blood quanta are not necessary to self-identify as an American Indian or Hawaiian Native. Members who do have proof of American Indian or Hawaiian Native decent, such as Indian and Northern Affairs Canadas "Certificate of Indian Status" ( " Certificat de statut d'indien " ), are encouraged to provide the President a copy of this documentation. This will better allow the President to identify possible scholarship monies available for certain tribes in Canada and the United States. Tribal information of members may be publicized unless otherwise indicated to the President by a member that wishes to keep his/her tribal affiliation confidential.
