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