Third Thursday Conversations
The Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Commitment Committee is excited to offer a new series of events for all Student Affairs staff, occurring on the third Thursday of each month this semester. The purpose of these conversation spaces is to help us build comfort in being uncomfortable. Staff will engage in interactive conversations on current events and community issues around topics of equity, inclusion and social change. The conversations will allow you to reflect on your own experiences, beliefs, privileges, biases and social identities.
In these spaces, we will engage with a form of media, article or video that focuses on social justice issues. We’ll then process together, in small and large groups, our experience of the media and issue at hand. We recognize these conversations can be challenging at times and emphasize that participation in these meetings is completely optional. We encourage you to participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We look forward to holding these conversations in community with you all.
If you plan to participate, we ask that you honor the following ground rules:
- In Zoom, use the “raise hand” function (under “participants”) and wait to be called on before speaking in the large group.
- Reach out to resources: If you are being impacted during the training, please use the chat to privately reach out to a facilitator.
- W.A.I.T.: Why am I talking? Why aren’t I talking?
- Use “I” statements to share your own truths. Saying “You” instead of “I” increases tension and conflict.
- Give others the benefit of doubt; we’re all doing the best we can. Have compassion for self and others while engaging in an ongoing learning process.
Thursday, Jan. 20 | Noon-1 p.m.
Characteristics of White Supremacist Culture
Facilitated by:
- Ben Ototivo, Counseling and Psychiatric Services
- Hannah Wilks, Volunteer Resource Center
- Amanda Linsenmeyer, Center for Inclusion and Social Change
The National Education Association describes White Supremacy Culture as
“Characteristics of white supremacy that manifest in organizational culture, and are used as norms and standards without being proactively named or chosen by the full group. The characteristics are damaging to both people of color and white people in that they elevate the values, preferences, and experiences of one racial group above all others.”
In this conversation we will explore characteristics set forth in Okun (updated 2021; originally published 1999) and identify and process as a community how we see these characteristics show up in our daily lives.
Thursday, Feb. 17 | Noon-1 p.m.
Call Out and Call In Culture
Facilitated by:
- Mirella Flores Randelman, Office of Victim Assistance
“Oh you shouldn’t say that word anymore.” We have all been a part of conversations where we said the wrong thing, or heard someone say something that didn’t feel right or was targeting a piece of someone’s identity. In this conversation we will discuss the strategy of helping a colleague or friend understand the impact of their words (calling in) versus labeling a person as problematic (calling out) in our work and personal lives as it relates to social justice conversations.
Thursday, March 17 | Noon-1 p.m.
Microaggressions in the Workplace
Facilitated by:
- Hilary Brenneman, Conference Services
- Emma Currie, Residence Life
- Sarah Garcia-Smith, Vice Chancellor’s Office
Microaggressions “...are the thinly veiled, everyday instances of racism, homophobia, sexism (and more) that you see in the world. Sometimes it's an insult, other times it's an errant comment or gesture” (Limbong, 2020).
In this dialogue we will explore what microaggressions are and how they may show up in the workplace, and come together as a community to explore ways we can mitigate and address microaggressions.
Thursday, April 21 | Noon-1 p.m.
White Supremacist Culture: Part 2
Facilitated by:
- Sarah Garcia-Smith, Vice Chancellor’s Office
- Amanda Linsenmeyer, Center for Inclusion and Social Change
- Hannah Wilks, Volunteer Resource Center
Building off of the first conversation, we will continue to deepen our learning and understanding of white supremacist culture. In this conversation we will continue to explore characteristics set forth in Okun (updated 2021; originally published 1999) and identify and process as a community how we see these characteristics show up in our daily lives.
Thursday, May 19 | Noon-1 p.m.
DEIJ Recruitment and Retention
Facilitated by:
- Zenia Cordova, Student Affairs Human Resources
- Ben Ototivo, Counseling and Psychiatric Services
More details coming soon!