ELISE ANDERSON
News Writer
anderser@plu.edu
Pacific Lutheran University is bringing racial issues to light around campus through iGroup, the new 7-week pilot program hosted by the Diversity Center.
The series, titled “Exploring Race through Dialogue,” welcomes students from the communities of Stuen, Ordal and The CAVE to participate in topics such as social systems and identity. They will work together to learn strategies to initiate positive social change on campus and in the community.
Student facilitators will lead members to explore better understandings of themselves and each other to apply to the concepts and issues of race. Students are invited to voice their own opinions centered around the theme of race and create action plans as a team building strategy.
iGroup will meet weekly on Fridays starting October 2nd until November 20th, from 4-6p.m.. Nicole Juliano, the Assistant Director of the Diversity Center, is the main coordinator for the series. Senior student Maria Cruse has been working to develop the curriculum for the program, as well as recruit and coordinate.
She explained the Diversity Center’s plan to implement this program of social issue discussions on campus for every semester. Each program will target different communities on campus and emphasize a particular social issue for debate. Students that participate, and successfully complete the series will receive a certificate of achievement.
iGroup will provide an outlet for conversation about sensitive issues, but it will also encourage openness to new ideas and opinions that students can apply beyond an educational setting and to whatever future enterprises they pursue.
The program can add a positive and constructive mood to PLU’s campus and push students to make a call to action. The best way to understand cultural issues is to embrace them. As every one of are readers are apart of the human race, it’s equally necessary to realize your role and influence among the rest of the world.
To sign up to participate in iGroup, students can pick up forms at the Stuen or Ordal front desks. Stop by the D-Center to talk with Maria Cruse or Nicole Juliano with questions or comments.
