Engaging Student Staff in Social Justice Education
Amanda Thompson &Chris Reghetti-Feyler
Ohio University Department of Residence Life
Quick Overview of Ohio University
7825 students living in the 41 Residence Halls (2005-06)
186 Resident Assistants 27 Security Aides 40 Professional Staff members 253 Staff members total
Diversity Climate at OU
Vision Ohio Diversity is one of four main priorities
set forth by President McDavis Focusing on National Prominence,
Partnerships, and Resources Division of Student Affairs
Potentially moving to National Coalition Building Institute as standard diversity education model
Paraprofessional Class
5 part series about diversity issues Incorporates theory and activity Two projects centering on social
justice issues Voice Project Community Service Project
Diversity Day
Conference-style Two inceptions:
Focusing on specific “ISMs” Focusing on broader topics, i.e.
Language, History, etc. Why did we begin this type of
education strategy?
Diversity Day—Some Thoughts from Staff
“Really made you think about what was important”
“The session made me think about language in a way I hadn’t”
“It was very engaging and educational”
“Liked that they didn’t’ just focus on “isms” but broad topics!”
Departmental In-services
Purpose: to create a common diversity education experience for staff
Examples: Paul Ruesesabagina: Genocide in
Rwanda Diane Gilliam Fisher: Classism and Coal
Mines Passages: Readings about Women’s
Lives
Focusing on Professional Staff
Began formalized efforts in Fall 2004
Examples: Brother, Outsider; Spinning into Butter, Trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Focusing On Paraprofessional Staff
Diversity Book Club In-service i.e. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,
How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents, etc.
Individual Resident Directors’ Efforts
Recognizing Staff Diversity Efforts
Cards from the Diversity Team Diversity Programming Recognition
Reception Diversity Bulletin Board Contest
What’s on Your Disc
Paraprofessional Class Diversity Curriculum
Tolerance Day Information
Departmental In-Service Information
Examples of some diversity efforts by RDs
Residential Learning Community Info
Miscellaneous Information