Identity Months
The CCE is dedicated to helping all students become aware of the importance that their own identities and knowledge of differing identities which are alive in all of us. Understanding identity is the first step in creating respectful relationships and interactions within a diverse community.
A college student’s discovery of their identity helps them to understand their place in the world and way in which their identity affects relationships and life plans. The diversity education programming that occurs in the residence halls is based on aspects of identity that all students possess.
Identity month programming will be seen in the residence halls as “passive” programming through bulletin boards explaining the identity and giving students tools to begin thinking about how their personal identity fits into that identity category as well as to begin looking at other identities and how they might be similar to or different from the identity that a student holds in each category. The “active” programs will be carried out within the halls by the diversity coordinator and house fellow staff. These programs will vary from hall to hall and will allow students to participate in experiences designed to further their understanding of the identity that is being focused on that month.
Identity months in 2012-2013 are the following:
- September: Identity Exploration - What is Identity
- October: Immigrant Status and Political Affiliation (For 2012, two identities have been identified to be explored due to upcoming Presidential Elections. It should not be construed that political affiliation is inherently linked to immigrant status.)
- November: Ability
- December: Religion/Spirituality
- February: Race and Whiteness
- March: Gender and Gender Identity
- April: Sexual Orientation
During each of these months every residence hall and the CCE will provide informational bulletin boards and host programs providing students a multitude of opportunities for learning about various identities within these broad categories.