Inclusivity

Inclusion in the residence halls is achieved by all staff working in tandem to create and maintain an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, welcomed, and supported. There is a feeling of belonging created because there has been a focus on the needs of each individual in order to create a culture of respect/civility.

Opportunities are created for our residents to interact and learn from each other in a way that embraces and respects our differences. By appreciating these differences in identity (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender, etc.) and life experiences, we confront barriers and biases and make our Housing community stronger.

Center for Cultural Enrichment (CCE)

The Center for Cultural Enrichment (CCE), located in Witte Residence Hall, is a multi-use space where all students are welcomed. The friendly atmosphere is a great place to study, attend a program, relax, cook, or hang out when you need a break from a busy day. CCE staff provide support and connections for international students, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students, and students of color who may feel isolated because they are numerically small populations on campus. If you have questions regarding campus resources, housing, how to get involved, or multicultural issues, CCE staff is there to provide support and assistance.

Mission

The mission of the CCE is to provide a safe and all-inclusive space that brings to life the Residence Life core values of academics, diversity, community, and involvement. We achieve this mission through outreach, programming, and promoting diversity of thought. We strive toward social justice, as well as seek a holistic approach to it by embracing all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, classes, abilities, or any other aspects of identity we hold.

All events hosted by the Center for Cultural Enrichment are open to all University Housing residents and staff.

Library

The CCE strives to keep a current collection of movies and books for students to access. Some of the movies are popular, non-mainstream titles. Other movies are focused on diversity education topics. All residence hall students and staff are able to check out movies and books using their Wiscard. The CCE also keeps a collection of educational resources which are useful for student staff members who are providing programming and conversations around diverse topics.

Calendar of Events

Sep

18

Vision & Vibes: Crafting Your Fall Goals September 18, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Center for Cultural Enrichment | Witte Hall: Room 125
CCE
Sep

25

Voices & Votes: Exploring Identity & Civic Engagement September 25, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Center for Cultural Enrichment | Witte Hall: Room 125
CCE
Oct

02

Trap ‘N Paint: Brushstrokes across the Diaspora October 2, 2024 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Center for Cultural Enrichment | Witte Hall: Room 125
CCE
Oct

06

2024 Winter Clothes Shopping Trip October 6, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Center for Cultural Enrichment | Witte Hall: Room 125
CCE

CCE on Instagram

Communities

Essence Theme Community

Focused on exploring the Black diaspora and impacted peoples through
events, dialogue, and community-building, Essence will enable you to foster a sense of belonging on campus and connections through shared experiences in a community where you can be your authentic self.

Multicultural Learning Community (MLC)

A safe and welcoming space where you can gain an expanded worldview and build solidarity by engaging in themes of multiculturalism, social justice,
inclusion, race, and identity.

Gender Inclusive Theme Community

This community provides a welcoming atmosphere to all students, with increased flexibility to meet the needs of transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and LGBTQIA+ students and allies. Here, you’ll be able to preference a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.

Open House Learning Community

In this inclusive community for all, you’ll find and create an environment of awareness, respect, and advocacy for all sexual and gender identities along with LGBTQIA+ students and allies.

Indigenous (NDGNS) Theme Community

Dedicated to learning about Indigenous (NDGNS) voices and experiences with a focus on building community and relationships through shared experiences, this community offers academic support and a variety ofacademic, community, and cultural events to help you thrive.

Gender Inclusive Housing

We want all students living in the University Residence Halls to feel welcome and safe in an environment conducive to learning and success both inside and outside the classroom. Gender Inclusive Housing is intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ students and allies to preference a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.

Resources

International Connections

University Housing strives to support all underrepresented identities in the residence halls. Our International-focused student support is assisted by our Center for Cultural Enrichment Programming Assistants. They work with the International Student Services Office and a variety of student organizations to provide programming for International residents, as well as programming which builds relationships between International residents and their peers.

If you are an international student and have questions about anything linked to your student status on campus, please contact the International Student Services Office.

Gender & Sexuality

University Housing strives to support all underrepresented identities in the residence halls. Our LGBTQ+-focused student support is assisted by Residence Life Programming Assistants. These staff members advise students who have self-identified as LGBTQ+ and work closely with the Open House Learning Community, located in Phillips Hall, as well as in partnership with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC).

Do you have questions about whether the Residence Halls will be a safe space for you to live based on your LGBTQ+ identity? If so, check out the GSCC’s Navigate Campus guide. In addition, these staff members provide ally training workshops to increase knowledge, understanding, and ally support to the LGBTQ+ community. One of the programs that is offered within the residence halls is Ally Training. If you are interested in having this program hosted in your hall, please contact your Residence Life Programming Assistant to find out when this program will be in your hall or area.

For more information/support/resources, please also consider contacting or visiting the friendly staff at the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, located in the Red Gym.

In addition to these resources, Open House, a learning community within University Housing, welcomes students who wish to build a community dedicated to safe space and examining conventional and transformational assumptions about gender and sexuality. In addition to a supportive residential community, Open House offers a seminar on gender and sexuality in the media, co-curricular activities, and flexible rooming arrangements to meet your needs. Open House is just one of the many places you can live on campus!

Being an Ally

An ally is someone who supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer community. Straight allies stand with LGBTQ+ people in creating safe and inclusive environments and celebrating the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. All of the LGBTQ+ programming that is done in University Housing is open to LGBTQ+ students and their allies.

Our Wisconsin

University Housing is dedicated to helping all students become aware of the importance of their own identities and knowledge of differing identities, which are our daily lived experiences. Understanding identities and engaging in dialogues are the first steps in creating respectful relationships and interactions within a diverse community.

We partner with the office of Inclusion Education to engage our residents in the Our Wisconsin program.

Reporting Bias

Every Badger Deserves Respect.

Campus

The University of Wisconsin–Madison values a diverse community where all members are able to participate fully in the Wisconsin Experience. Incidents of Bias/Hate affecting a person or group create a hostile climate and negatively impact the quality of the Wisconsin Experience for community members. UW–Madison takes such incidents seriously and will investigate and respond to reported or observed incidents of bias/hate.

Bias Incidents

The University of Wisconsin–Madison values a diverse community where all members are able to participate fully in the Wisconsin Experience. Therefore, in University Housing, one of our priorities is to establish inclusive, respectful and caring communities.

If you have information about who is responsible for this bias incident or experience and/or witness an act of bias, please report it to a House Fellow or your Residence Life Coordinator. You can also report bias incidents online here. UW–Madison and University Housing respond to all bias incidents and may pursue disciplinary action if the bias is individually directed.

If you would like to discuss the incident, please contact your Residence Life Coordinator who is located in your Residence Life Office or Cleda Wang, Assistant Director for Residence Life-Inclusion: cleda.wang@housing.wisc.edu.

Bias Incident Protocol in University Housing

Any witnesses or residents of the incident(s) report the details to a Residence Life professional or student staff member.
Assistant Director connects with Residence Life Coordinator to review the report, investigate, and weigh in on options for the residents involved and the community.
A response is formulated by Assistant Director and Residence Life Coordinator.
The Response is implemented.

Reporting

There are several ways you can report incidents of hate and bias:

In-person: Report to House Fellows, Dean of Students Office (70 Bascom Hall)
Mobile UW: Safety
Online: Dean of Students Office
University Housing: House Fellows, Residence Life Coordinators