The Identity & Inclusion Series is a set of interactive diversity and inclusion workshops on building a socially conscious community.
Each workshop is open to all students, faculty and staff; accessible to a variety of prior engagement levels; and facilitated with warmth by the members of the Multicultural Affairs team. Sign up for one or many!
We are offering the following sessions as part of the series. View the descriptions below, and log in to register for the session(s) of your choice.
Registration for each session will be capped to maintain a communal environment for discussion, so please only register for workshops that you will commit to attend.
Accessibility needs can be specified on the registration form. You can also email diversityed@columbia.edu.
Facilitation Training [Friday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Broadway Residence Hall]
Acquire and hone skills to lead facilitation-based dialogue centered around topics related to bias, identity, power, privilege, oppression and more. Through a variety of interactive exercises, participants will learn about the purpose and process of building safer spaces; gain skills in empathic listening; understand the basics of planning; and executing an effective workshop and engage in practice facilitation scenarios.
Unconscious Bias [Wednesday, October 2, 10:00 a.m.–noon, Lerner Hall]
Through presentation, discussion and interactive dialogue exercises, this workshop offers an overview of unconscious bias; the neural processes that guide our snap judgments; and strategies for mitigating implicit assumptions. This workshop is appropriate for individuals and cohorts of all levels of experience.
[WAIT LIST ONLY] CU Safe Zone [Friday, October 11, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., Columbia Law School]
CU Safe Zone is a 3-hour training session that provides foundational knowledge needed to support and act in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities at Columbia University. This campus-wide program was designed to educate and visibly identify students, faculty and staff who support the LGBTQ+ community; provide an overview of LGBTQ+ communities and some of the issues these communities face; and share various LGBTQ resources available to folks on campus.
Understanding Oppression [Monday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.–noon, Lerner Hall]
Through a series of interactive activities and dialogue, this session explores the systemic nature of oppression and how oppressive systems manifest individually, institutionally and culturally. Participants will explore -isms that contribute to the marginalization of different communities and examine ways in which they can create more equitable spaces on campus and beyond.
CU Safe Zone Dinner Session [Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Lerner Hall]
CU Safe Zone is a 3-hour training session that provides foundational knowledge needed to support and act in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities at Columbia University. This campus-wide program was designed to educate and visibly identify students, faculty and staff who support the LGBTQ+ community; provide an overview of LGBTQ+ communities and some of the issues these communities face; and share various LGBTQ resources available to folks on campus.
Communicating Across Cultures Dinner Session [Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Lerner Hall]
In this interactive workshop, participants will examine the definitions of culture, understand different intercultural communication styles and reflect on how different communication styles impact communication across cultures. Role plays, examples and experiential exercises will be included in the session. This workshop is designed for anyone who would like to advance their intercultural competence and is especially useful for community members working in intercultural settings or preparing for an academic experience abroad.