Workshop Descriptions
Breakout Session One
9:20 - 10:20 a.m.
PERFECTIONISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Reimagining our educational expectations, standards and perceptions
Consider how racism informs educational expectations, standards and self-perceptions by exploring the connections between white supremacy and perfectionism. Research in the fields of psychology, literature and anti-racist organizing suggest that perfectionism is linked to high levels of stress, anxiety, and vindictiveness toward the self and others, as well as to relatively low levels of cultural awareness and humility. The presentation will review this scholarship and reflect on and challenge our own perfectionistic tendencies as one method of anti-racist practice.
Dr. Christopher S. Lewis, Director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards
THE MYTH OF THE PERFECT SURVIVOR
What does the “perfect survivor” look like? What do they act like? Why do we even have to think about this? We see this expectoration of the “perfect survivor” in the media and social media. We see it in our criminal justice system. We see it in our social circles. But do we recognize it within ourselves when we are perpetuating this myth of the perfect survivor?
This session will provide participants with the tools and resources to best support survivors on a daily basis while dismantling the myth of the perfect rape victim.
Dr. Kimberly Rouse, Director of the Survivor Advocacy Program
Ariel Tarosky, Director of Sorority & Fraternity Life
IMPACT VS. INTENT
Defeating defensive reactions to anti-racism
American's are socialized into individualism. When a person or unit is informed that their words, practices, or actions are racist, the immediate reaction most people have is a defensive one: "That wasn't my intention." Instead of having this reaction, solidarity and ally-ship need to recognize the impact of the words and actions and not the intent.
This presentation will provide an overview of American individualism and then propose ways to be less defensive and more introspective about the impact of words and actions.
Kyle Serrott, Office of Inclusion, HCOM
Dr. Tanisha King, Chief Inclusion Office HCOM
Breakout Session Two
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
SEXISM & GENDER ROLES AS DEAN OF STUDENTS
Dr. Geneva Murray will facilitate an open conversation about sexism and gender roles with Dr. Jenny Hall-Jones and Dr. Patti McSteen.
After Jenny's first-year as Dean of Students in 2012, she wrote a blog post about her experiences of sexism that garnered national attention. Dr. Murray will use this blog as a starting point for a conversation around sexism in the workplace and engage participants in a conversation about breaking down barriers at work.
Dr. Jenny Hall-Jones, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Patti McSteen, Interim Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Dr. Geneva Murray, Director of the Women's Center
WELCOMING STUDENTS BACK
Unpacking accountability with identify and community
This presentation will share how conversations within the student conduct process can be a tool to address the intersections between accountability, community and identity. Presenters will review how the student conduct process addresses development, providing specific examples around the university's sanctioning model in conjunction with assessment data from recent years.
Mary Kate Kennedy, Associate Director of Community Standards and Student Responsibility
Dane Bennett, Assistant Director of CSSR
Taylor Tacket, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of CSSR
Christina Schwiderski, Assistant Director of CSSR
Sara Graper, Assistant Director of CSSR
Caitlin Oiler, Records Management Senior Specialist
MICROAGRESSIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
Microaggressions are brief proclamations or activities that convey a negative message about a non-dominant group. In contrast to out-and-out prejudice, sexism, or other "isms," microaggressions are not intended to be hostile. In reality, numerous micro-aggressors will bristle at the proposal that their announcement or activity was unsafe. Regardless, microaggressions have destructive ramifications for individuals.
Microaggressions in the workplace are still an ordinary encounter for professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. Therefore, it is worth educating or re-educating yourself on this topic.
Dr. Winsome Chunnu, Director of the Multicultural Center