Community Tips

Challenging Stereotypes and Stigma in Addiction

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Addiction is often misunderstood, shaped as much by social narratives as by science. Stereotypes, perspectives, and stigmas do not just influence how society views addiction, but how they directly affect how individuals experience it, whether they seek help, and how communities respond. The Common Ground Collective recognizes that building a truly inclusive and supportive community requires us to confront these biases and reframe addiction through empathy, understanding, and shared responsibility. This week’s Community Tips explores how stigma operates in addiction and offers strategies for fostering a more compassionate, informed collective. 

Graduate Students Spotlight

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Graduate students play an important role in the intellectual and social fabric of our campus. They serve as bridge-builders in our classrooms, research labs, and community spaces, contributing to a culture of acceptance and belonging. This week’s Community Tips celebrates nominated graduate students at IU Bloomington who exemplify the Common Ground Collective’s core principles of Community, Acceptance, Leadership, Unlearning, and Accountability.

Building a Strong Collective

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Polarization defines our contemporary world, with divisions increasing as ideological extremes deepen. Yet the Common Ground Collective believes that diversity is our strength. Real transformation is possible when we unite across differences, turning adversaries into collaborators. This week’s Community Tips addresses the challenge of building common ground, offering practical ways to create an accepting, inclusive community. 

Impostor Syndrome

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Do you ever worry that the people who hired/admitted you will realize that they made a mistake? Do you get that feeling that you are not good enough to do the job? Do you ever think your promotion was luck rather than merit? That your co-workers and colleagues will soon discover you don’t belong because you are underqualified? If so, you are experiencing what is generally known as “impostor syndrome,” and you are not alone. This week’s Community Tips explores how impostor syndrome affects faculty, staff, and graduate students, how certain groups face heightened vulnerability, and how we can create supportive environments to mitigate it. 

The Weight of Strength: Unpacking & Rethinking What It Means to Be a Man

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Masculinity influences how individuals understand themselves, relate to others, and navigate life. Though not intentionally harmful, traditional norms around independence, emotional control, and success can create emotional strain, especially in high-pressure settings like universities and other workplaces. This edition of Community Tips explores how traditional masculine norms influence men and women in the workplace. When not understood, they can create emotional strain and emotional disconnect. We then highlight ways that rethinking masculinity can foster healthier identities, relationships, and a more connected campus community.

Acceptance and Inclusivity Through Language

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Language is fundamental to community building and fostering belonging. People rarely intend to exclude others through their words, but well-meaning individuals may use language patterns that signal exclusion. This week's Community Tips explores how microaggressions and implicit biases can undermine inclusivity and offers strategies for nurturing acceptance through intentional word choice.

Supporting Black Women Beyond Black History Month

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

As we approach Black History Month, this edition of Community Tips centers the experiences of Black women in higher education—not as a once-a-year reflection, but as an ongoing commitment to understanding and transforming the conditions they navigate. Black History Month invites us to honor the legacies and contributions of Black women scholars, educators, and students who have shaped higher education despite systemic barriers. 

Inclusivity in Disability

Thursday, December 11, 2025

World Disability Day was celebrated on December 3 to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. The 2025 theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” calls for a commitment to creating inclusive societies for people with disabilities, so they can contribute to social progress, ensuring a just, inclusive, and equitable society for all. 

Navigating Difficult Conversations: Finding Common Ground Across Differences

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

This week’s Community Tips focuses on actionable tips to facilitate difficult conversations with others who have different perspectives. By developing these skills, we can create spaces where diverse viewpoints can be shared and heard, even when we cannot agree. Approaching difficult conversations with empathy and a desire to understand can strengthen trust and encourage inclusion. The ability to engage across differences is vital to building a thriving community. 

Supporting our Transgender Community

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

November is Transgender Awareness Month; a time to celebrate, honor, and support the transgender community, and raise awareness of the issues they face. The celebration culminates with Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, set aside to remember lives lost to anti-transgender violence. This week’s Tips focuses on providing active support to transgender faculty, staff, and students who are part of our Indiana University Bloomington community.   

Opportunities and resources available at Indiana University Bloomington and the City of Bloomington

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

In this week’s Community Tips, we look at the various resources and support services  available to our diverse staff, faculty, and students. IU-B and the City of Bloomington offer a wealth of opportunities for career development, personal support, financial assistance, and community connection.   Building an inclusive campus means ensuring everyone knows where to turn for support.   

Supporting Mental Health Across Identities 

Wednesday, October 08, 2025

This edition of Community Tips will discuss the intersection of mental health, culture, identity, and religion. It examines how our diverse backgrounds shape our understanding of and access to mental health care and support, and what we can do to foster a more inclusive and supportive community at Indiana University.  

Building Community Through Action

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

This week's Tips focus on our mission and values, as well as ways you can join in shaping our community and developing meaningful connections.   

Humanity: Our Common Identity

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

In this edition of Community Tips, we take a closer look at two ways to strengthen your campus community—by connecting with those who share common ground and those who bring different perspectives—and` offer tips and resources to help you do both.   

A Conversation with IU’s Ombudsperson

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

In this edition of Ally Tips, we take a deeper dive into the role of the ombudsperson. As always, thanks for being an ally and an advocate! 

Ways to Support International Colleagues and Students

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

In this edition of Ally Tips, we explore meaningful ways to support and advocate for our international colleagues, students, and local immigrant communities during these unprecedented times. 

Burnout in Higher Education

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

This week, we explore gendered roles in the workplace and the effect of burnout among women faculty and staff. We also offer different ways that advocates and allies can help to alleviate that burden to prevent burnout.