After reviewing the results from the latest DiA survey, the Diversity in Advising Group came to our talk with some truly great information (and acting) to share.

The DiA Group shared information on Jones’ and McEwen’s Multiple Dimensions of Identity and how it applies to us as individual and how it can affect the way we interact with others, including our students.

The group also talked about microagressions. Microagressions were defined to us as: “brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages” to a target group like multicultural and multiracial persons, religious and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBT individuals (Sue & Sue, 2008). It can be described as death by 1,000 paper cuts – each exchange on its own not amounting to much, but altogether they can have an adversely negative impact on a students well being.

The last topic the DiA group talked about was Costumes and Campus Resources. With Halloween right around the corner, it was perfect timing. The DiA Group talked about the ‘We’re a Culture, Not a Costume’ Campaign as well as outlined the resources surrounding this issue at Oregon State.

After each topic, examples, discussions and ‘what would you dos’ were shared.

Presentation: ACT-DiA
Handouts: Jones’ and McEwen’s Multiple Dimensions of Identity
                  Microaggressions

DiA Group Members: Jeff Malone, Claire Colvin, Oscar Montemayor, Katie Whitehead, Tristan Shay and Janet Nishihara

As we begin preparing for our Winter Term retreats Intercultural Student Services is asking for your assistance in identifying students who would benefit from the below opportunities. Below is a brief summary of the experiences and the web address to forward to OSU students who may be interested.  ISS would like to receive all applications by Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

There will be an information session for students to learn more about the retreats: Thursday, November 20^th from noon to 1 in MU 208.

To apply for a retreat please go to Web address: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_77f7sxCPqzte74x

Racial Aikido Retreat:
Racial Aikido seeks to empower Students of Color at predominantly White institutions (PWI) using the principles of aikido to recognize, respond, and replenish. Originally created at the University of Vermont, Racial Aikido acknowledges that People of Color may be ill prepared to deal with issues of race and racism as it affects them personally. Racial Aikido promotes tools for People of Color to maintain a positive self-image and be able to respond to overt and covert racism. By the conclusion of the retreat students will have a better understanding of White privilege, in-group and internalized oppression, identity development models, and be more self-aware of their multiple identities. Students will learn by active participation how to recognize racism, respond to racism in a self-affirming and positive manner that is appropriate for the situation, and replenish by taking care of their needs in order to maintain a healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual self. This year’s retreat will be the weekend of January 9-11, 2015 at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR.

Examing White Identity in a Multicultural World Retreat:
The Examining White Identity (EWI) retreat focuses on White identity development, White privilege, and oppression in both personal and institutional contexts, and introduces strategies to dismantle oppressive systems. We will look atways that understanding these issues will help us address White privilege and oppression in ourselves and with other White people and become better allies for social justice.  This year’s retreat will be the weekend of January 9-11, 2015 at the B’nai B’rith Camp near Lincoln City, OR.

If you have any questions about either of these retreats please contact:

Miguel Arellano at Miguel.Arellano@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-9758

Ben Medeiros, the Assistant Director of the Living Learning Communities, from UHDS talked to advisors about the different programs and initiatives that are being done within the Residence Halls in conjunction with academics. Ben was able to elaborate on what is being done in the residence halls that are Living Learning Communities (LLC). He was also able to provide some data that shows the effectiveness of LLC’s at OSU. Along with academically based LLC’s, a new student position, the Academic Learning Assistant has been created to facilitate in hall participation and partnerships with academic units. Ben also talked about how the residence halls have also been helping in the STAR program and have also expanded their in hall tutoring options. Lastly, Ben left us with some up coming projects to look forward too, inculding; New LLC’s, In-Hall Advising, Linked Classes and expansion of in hall tutoring. Ben’s Presentation: Academic Initiatives in the Res Halls