Well, here we are. As we have all been asked to be more flexible and resilient than ever, we are re/learning to value our shared humanity, be more and more patient with each other, and take care of ourselves. But please, do not think for a single second that any of us are at this alone. You may be physically isolated, but do not give up on your social connections, your community, or the Centre community. United, we stand; divided, we fall.
ODI Virtual Programming
Beginning on Monday, March 30, we will be working on creating more space on our Instagram (@CentreInclusion) to engage with students, share resources, and continue discussions on access, diversity, equity, and inclusion. On both Wednesdays and Fridays, Ashley Oliver and Jo Teut will be hosting virtual drop in spaces to connect with students via zoom, and students should expect more information via email.
As always, reach out when you need it. Our contact information and other resources are below.
Self-Care
Taking care of yourself during this time of uncertainty is so important that we created this Self-Care Resource to walk you through what self-care is to making your own self-care plan.
Enjoy some free, social justice, print-at-home coloring books (donate what you can) and/or this free baby Yoda coloring book.
#StayCentred
Wherever you are, our Communications folx are asking you to #StayCentred and connect with each other through their social media campaign. For some of you, we know how life-sustaining your connections through Centre are, and we encourage you to maintain them.
To participate, the campus community is being asked to use the #StayCentred hashtag when sharing posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter demonstrating how the College is staying positive through this experience.
Available Resources
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will continue to serve students both on and off campus throughout this semester.
- Andrea Abrams, Associate Vice President for Diversity Affairs & Special Assistant to the President, andrea.abrams@centre.edu, 859-238-5267
- Ashley Oliver, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, ashley.oliver@centre.edu, 859-238-6520
- Jo Teut, Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion, jo.teut@centre.edu, 859-238-6220
- Intercultural Suite will remain open as long as the Campus Center remains open
We know that as you step off of campus, not every person will be going to a welcoming environment for a variety of reasons. Below are a few resources that might help you with setting boundaries and taking care of yourself at this time.
- How to Set Boundaries With a Toxic Family Member (web article)
- How To Set Boundaries With Your Family, According To A Life Coach (web article)
- Surviving Hate and Being Hated: Some Personal Thoughts about Racism from a Psychoanalytical Perspective (research article)
- How to Deal with Friends who are Racist, Sexist, or Bigoted (web article)
- 12 Techniques To Set Boundaries With A Toxic Family Member (video)
- A Self-Care Action Plan (video)
- 3 Ways To Take Care of Yourself When You Live with Toxic Parents (web article)
HERC Resources
HERC is providing various resources during this time, including
- Navigating COVID-19 in higher education, article by HERC executive director, Ian Reynolds
- Remote Teams: Top 5 Challenges & Solutions, free webinar on Thursday, March 26 (will be recorded and accessible via website)
- Tips for higher education professionals working remotely, blog post by Erin Burns
- Professional Development Webinars on topics such as "Diversifying Staff and Administrator Leadership Positions," "Returning to Work/Stay at Work Strategies," and many more
Thinking Deeper on Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- On Diversity: Access Ain’t Inclusion video by Anthony Jack
- Inclusion, Equity, and Access While Teaching Remotely website from Rice University’s Center for Teaching Excellence
- For Students With Disabilities, A Mass Shift to Online Courses Comes With Deep Concerns article by Sara Weissman on Diverse Education
Reading/Listening Recommendations
- 12 Books About Pandemics
- 'Love, loss and longing': the best books on migration
- 27 Novels Feminists Should Read in 2020
Recommendations from Olajiwon McCadney and Theresa Hernandez from their ACPA presentation "Shapeshift or Codeswitch: Unpacking Afropessimistic & Queer-Antagonistic Ideologies in HigherEd:
- Another Round, this podcast, produced by Buzzfeed, stars Heben Nigatu and Tracey Clayton. The hosts explore relevant topics in regards to the black American experience, race across the spectrum, culture, gender, and a whole flex of other topics.
- Codeswitch, Race and Identity Remixed is a podcast produced by NPR that covers the intersections of race, gender, and identity and explores what these identities mean, how people navigate the spaces they occupy in terms of identity and the ways in which these topics are every changing.
- Strange Fruit, JaPuson Gardner and Dr. Kalia talk race, gender, and LTQ issues, from politics to pop culture. A new episode every week, from Louisville Public Media.
Finally, we will get through this. We will get through this together.