Social Justice Institute Open to Faculty and Staff

Earlier this month, the Oberlin College Dialogue Center held its 10th annual Social Justice Institute, for the first time opening the proceedings to returning students as well as to incoming students.

A two-day workshop held during New Student Orientation, SJI explores issues of social justice, examining how structural and cultural mechanisms perpetuate privilege and disenfranchisement through institutions in society as well as through individuals. The workshop-style training includes discussions, role-playing, and interactive exercises. The SJI looks at oppression and the effects of classism, heterosexism, racism and sexism.

Since 2004, more than 700 students have participated in this annual workshop. Past participants have found it helpful for creating a language to frame difficult topics. It is also an open space for people at all levels of social justice awareness to talk about these topics in a comfortable environment.

The institute will again cover new ground this winter term, when the first SJI for faculty and staff takes place January 19 and 20, 2014. Endorsed and funded by the Office of the President and supported by division heads, the institute is purely voluntary and open to all faculty and staff.

Leah Wing ’84 and Deepika Marya will lead the faculty and staff SJI under the auspices of their Social Justice Mediation Institute. Wing is a senior lecturer in the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s legal studies program, Political Science Department at the. Marya is associate professor in the English department at the University of Southern Maine.

For more information, contact the Office of the Ombudsperson at dombudsp@oberlin.edu or (440) 775-6728.