All College Day
13th Annual
ALL COLLEGE DAY
February 18 - 20, 2013
Race, Privilege and Power
Photo from All College Day 2011 (Scroll Down for more All College Day Photos)
...a day to bring all members of the campus community together for interaction and reflection on how we see the campus. It is a day for multiple discussions and engaging events which seek to highlight our challenges as well as our strengths. Central to the day's events is the breaking down of real and perceived barriers which often prevent the community from maximizing its full potential. To this end, we encourage everyone to play a role in defining the day.
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Click here to read a sampling of commments from All College Day 2011
Click here to read your comments from All College Day 2009
Click here to read comments from the 2008 Mural Project
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All College Day
February 18 – 20, 2013
Monday, February 18
5:00pm, Villard RoomLecture by TIM WISE
Beyond Diversity: Challenging Racism In An Age Of Backlash
One of the country’s leading anti-racist writers, speakers and activists, Wise is the author of numerous books, including his just published Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority; White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son; Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male; Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama. Wise has also lectured on diversity and racial incidents on college campuses and how students and others can respond.
Lecture is in collaboration with the Vassar Students Association, Africana Studies, and the ALANA Center to kick off All College Day(s) 2013.
Tuesday, February 19
An afternoon of campus discussions led by teams of faculty, administrators and students focusing on the theme, Race, Privilege and Power.1:30 PM – 2:50 pm, Faculty Parlor
Color-Blindness
Many people believe that color-blindness and ignoring someone’s race is a way to alleviate racism. In this session, participants will discuss whether or not this “erasure of memory” creates a context for healing or creates a false sense of progress.
Facilitated by Diane Harriford, Professor of Sociology and Joseph Glick, Tanebaum Inter-Religious Fellow.
1:30 PM – 2:50 pm, LGBTQ Center, College Center 214
White Privilege in the LGBTQ Community
Learn how white privilege manifests itself in LGBTQ communities, and how white people can actively engage in anti-racist actions and efforts. Using personal storytelling and discussion, we will delve into participants’ own experiences and perspectives. We welcome anyone who is interested, especially those who are just learning about these concepts.
Facilitated by Kate Dolson ’13 (GRST) and Judy Jarvis ‘07, Assistant Director for Campus Life/LGBTQ and Gender Resources
1:30 PM – 2:50 pn, Faculty Commons, College Center
The Power of Words
If words are a pretext to the bonds that we create then how do we define this community and what we value? This session is a conversation about Vassar and the words that shape our individual and communal identities and expectations.
Facilitated by Luis Inoa and members of Residential Life
3:10 PM – 4:30 pm, Rose Parlor
Talking about Race, Racism, Inequality, and White Privilege
A frank and open discussion on race, racism, inequality (of many sorts) and “white privilege” in the U.S. We will focus, in part, on issues raised in Tim Wise’s February 18 lecture. How does white privilege manifest itself? In what ways are white privilege, discrimination and racism separate matters (how might, e.g., “non-racist” white people benefit from white privilege)? Is “white privilege” a useful and effective way of framing a discussion about race and/ or inequality? Why (and/or why not)? Race is a notoriously “difficult” topic of discussion. Why? How can we do better?
Facilitated by Tim Koechlin, Director, International Studies (Urban Studies); Amber Footman ’13 (International Studies); Celia Castellan ’13 (Urban Studies)
3:10 PM – 4:30 pm, Faculty Parlor
Race, Politics, and Vassar
A discussion that confronts the question of what makes talking about race at Vassar and beyond uncomfortable and awkward. Session opens with sharing and discussing excerpts from Ta-Nehisi Coates’s essay in The Atlantic about Obama as a black president and the racial issues with which we as a country must grapple; followed by discussion about grappling with color-blindness, uncomfortability, silence, concern about being politically correct and the like, here on campus. Why, for example, can we have a more or less easy conversation about Obama and race, while we cannot do the same about race in our everyday lives?
Facilitated by Katherine Hite, Professor of Political Science and Juan Thompson ’13 (Political Science).
3:10 PM – 4:30 PM, Villard Room
A Shift in the Paradigm: The Diversity Imperative at Vassar and Changing Landscape of Race Conscious Admissions in Higher Education
As our nation continues to grow exponentially more ethnically diverse, it has become increasingly more important for institutions such as Vassar to recruit and retain a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff members. Unfortunately, the laws surrounding how institutions like Vassar seek to admit a diverse student body are rapidly changing and the looming US Supreme Court decision in the Fisher vs. University of Texas case could spell the end of “Affirmative Action” as we currently understand it. This session will examine the changing legal landscape surrounding race conscious admissions policies, potential implications of the Fisher case, strategies about how to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment at Vassar in light of potential changes in the law, and diversity in a post “Affirmative Action” United States.
Facilitated by Julian Williams, Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Colleen Cohen, Professor of Anthropology and Program and Faculty Director of Affirmative Action.
3:10PM – 4:30 pm, College Center, MPR
“What does it feel like to be a problem?”—A Conversation About Student Life, Profiling and Safety
Over the last several years, we have witnessed an increase in the level of uneasiness, tension and discomfort between our students, community members and campus security. However, the increase in conflicts between students and campus security has not been matched with an increase in dialogue about policing, profiling and safety. Part of a three-part discussion series on campus policing and student life.
Facilitated by the Committee on Inclusion and Excellence
6:00 PM – 8:00 pm, Dodge Room (ACDC)
Dialogues on Race: What Can We Draw from Tim Wise’s Lecture?
This session provides a space for students and others to debrief the Tim Wise lecture and consider what his talk means in a larger Vassar context, and to think about what work we can do together. (Participants are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 PM if already having dinner at the dining center).
Facilitated by the Applied Research Center and students in Pedagogies of Difference class.
6:00 PM – 7:30pm, Faculty Parlor
How Can White People More Effectively Confront, Discuss and Combat Racism?
Race is a key structural feature of U.S. society; the U.S. has a long history of racial discrimination, racism, and racial (white) privilege. And yet we have a difficult time discussing race, racism, and the hardships and privileges associated with race in the U.S. What are the challenges, contradictions and responsibilities of being a white person in the U.S.? Please join us for a frank, open, and unscripted discussion about the ways in which white people might more effectively think about, discuss, and combat racism – in their hearts, in their communities, and in their institutions. Session is intended for White people but open to everyone.
Facilitated by Tim Koechlin, Director, International Studies; Urban Studies, and two students
Wednesday, February 20
10:00 AM – 6:00 pm, College Center, North AtriumMural Project
In its 13th year, the Mural Project invites you to express your thoughts, reflections, ideas, and feelings regarding the All College Day theme, Race, Privilege and Power as well as the Tim Wise lecture and Tuesday discussions. Blank canvas, paint, brushes and markers provided!
12noon – 1:30 pm, Faculty Commons
Soup and Substance
Staff, faculty, students and administrators are invited to a free-flowing conversation about the Tim Wise lecture, Tuesday discussions or any reflections on the All College Day theme, Race, Privilege and Power. We serve the soup; you bring the substance—ideas, thoughts and reflections. The atmosphere will be relaxed, so stay as long as you can.
7:30 pm, Athletics and Fitness Center
4th Annual Students vs. Old School Basketball Game
Proceeds benefit Class 2013 Scholarship
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For more information, contact the Campus Life Office at ext. 5426 or campuslife@vassar.edu
All College Day is an annual event planned by the Campus Life Resource Group, a committee of administrators, students, staff, and faculty. It is made possible through collaborations within the Dean of the College division, among students and other offices. One goal of the event is create community dialogue on matters of campus life.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Campus Activities at 845-437-5370
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Previous All College Day themes:
- 2012 - Engaging Campus Tensions
- 2011 - Sesqui 1861 - 2011 Perspectives
- 2010 - Bridging the Gaps: Knowing the Past, Living the Present, Shaping the Future
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2009 - Hearing All Voices
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2008 - Be The Change
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2007 - Building Community at Vassar: What's Next?
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2006 - Beyond The Gate: Vassar and Poughkeepsie
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2005 - Finding Common Ground at Vassar: Identity • Community • Politics
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2004 - Race At Vassar: A Year Long Conversation
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2003 - Bursting the Bubbles: Building a Community That Works For Everyone
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2002 - A day to discuss issues of community and to explore our individual and collective responsibility in promoting a stronger, inclusive community for everyone.
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2001 - Community at Work, Working at Community
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Scenes from All College Day 2011
All College Day is an annual event planned by the Campus Life Resource Group, a committee of students, staff, faculty, and administrators. It is made possible through collaborations within the Dean of the College Division, among students and other offices. One goal of the event is to create open and honest dialogue on matters of campus life. Questions and comments may be shared at any time by contacting us at campuslife@vassar.edu or in the Campus Life Office (Main, N-163).
Please call Ext. 5426 if you have questions or need more information about All College Day 2012.
Photo credits: Gail Beckwith-Ecker