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Out Professional Panthers Engagement Network

Mission

Out Professional Panthers Engagement Network (OPPEN) is a voluntary employee organization (VEO) whose mission is to celebrate and provide community, support, and advocacy for faculty and staff at FIU of diverse genders and orientations.

Purpose

OPPEN is committed to the continuous celebration and appreciation of the historic and contemporary contributions of queer people. We also further commit to identifying professional development opportunities for our members, as well as educating and building awareness about queer culture as widely as possible.  OPPEN will identify collaborative opportunities with University and community partners in an effort to amplify the broader message of inclusion, solidarity and equal opportunity.  

Goals

OPPEN seeks to:

  • Plan and execute social events that allow members to connect with one another;
  • Connect members with relevant university and community resources;
  • Create and promote opportunities for professional development of members;
  • Increase awareness of the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff;
  • Identify opportunities for improvement of inclusivity at FIU and to advocate for appropriate change.

Membership

(A) Full membership in OPPEN is open to all current Florida International University employees, on site and remote, who support the goals of the organization as set forth in Article III above.

(B) Associate membership in OPPEN is open to anyone not eligible for full membership who supports the mission and goals of the organization as set forth. Associate members in good standing shall be afforded all the rights, privileges, and obligations of membership, EXCEPT the right to vote and the right to seek office. Associate Membership extends to alumni, sponsors, donors, and other external constituents with existing, current partnerships at Florida International University.

(C) A member in good standing is a full or associate member who meets the qualifications set forth in this charter and the bylaws, or as set by the board of directors.

  • Eligibility

    Full membership in OPPEN is open to all current Florida International University employees, on site and remote, who support the goals of the organization as set forth.

  • Rights

    A full member in good standing shall be afforded all the rights, privileges, and obligations of membership, including, but not limited to, the right to vote, the right to seek office, and participation in organization activities. Membership does not extend to undergraduate student employees, but may be offered to graduate student employees on a case by case basis.

  • Dues

    No dues are required for an annual membership. OPPEN reserves the right to reconsider membership dues in the future.

Become a member today!

Join the OPPEN Teams Group!

Events

The Department of Access, Compliance, and Equal Opportunity (ACE) and Out Professional Panthers Engagement Network (OPPEN) held a meet and greet on December 4, 2021, at BJ’s Brewhouse in Doral. Staff/faculty who were interested in joining OPPEN were able to meet in-person and network within this new affinity group.

Out Professional Panthers Engagement Network group photo