On the Road (OTR) —an event of discovery of interconnections to each other and the environment—was led on Saturday, September 21 by the Center for Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability (DJS). Around 50 students of all years, majors, and backgrounds gathered for a day of adventures around the PNW.
The OTR series used to be a part of New Student Orientation (NSO) up to 2016. Up until this year, the Center for DJS brought the event back, replacing the “long-standing 20-year-old programs” of Students of Color and Queer Students retreats. The events are “always hosted in the first three weeks of school intentionally to build community for folks who are committed to diversity, justice, and sustainability,” shared Director of DJS Nicole Juliano. The reason why the Center for DJS switched their “signature program” was because “students today are looking for something different.”
This year’s theme of OTR was Nourishing Our Roots, a time set aside for appreciation, reflection, and self-discovery. On The Road participants could choose from multiple day trips: Oscar the Bird King, Taking the Pottery Wheel for a Spin, Live on the Ledge!, Pondering & Plunging, Sip and Paint, AmaZINE Adventure, and [re]Framing Our Perspectives at the Tacoma Art Museum. Students ventured off campus with full days ahead of them, and returned by dinner. The Center for DJS covered all expenses, including lunch, snacks, and dinner, with funding from the student DJS fee ($10 per semester). Participating students also paid $5 per person for their chosen event. Juliano commented, “Really, the $5 is not to help support the [event] but to hold you all accountable for coming.”
Some students shared their favorite moments from their adventures.
Eve Ellis, Commuter Advocate and SARF committee member, second year — Pondering and Plunging
While the dive felt like “hell” at first, Ellis decided to participate in the dive to try something she’d never done before. “… dunking my body into the Puget Sound right as summer ends seemed so exciting and thrilling and something that’s not like what I usually do,” she said, “so just a good way to shake up the routine.”
Suhaib Ali, third year, DJS assistant — Live on the Ledge!
“I haven’t been hiking for a minute,” said Ali, “so it was a good opportunity to get outdoors and get some sunlight and get to know new people.” Ali shared that his favorite part of the trip was “… finishing the hike and seeing the view from the hike and having lunch on top of the mountain.” Ali suggests that “People should try more to get outdoors and use [the] PLU Rec app to get more trips and get to meet new people.”
Taezha Watson, third year, involved with DJS — Paint and Sip
“It was really fun — I got to connect with students, and talk to them, we were making a lot of jokes,” Watson said. “Even taking public transportation was nice because I haven’t done it in a while. It’s actually connecting back to my roots — I used to take the bus to school.” The instructor made them promise to relax during the painting — “It pushed me to get out of that academic stressful grind mode,” she said.
Virgil Harris, first-year, Rieke scholar — Oscar the Bird King
“I spend a lot of time in the DJS lounge. I think people who hang out in there and people who run it are really cool.” Given her role in DJS as a Reike scholar, Harris was required to attend OTR. Her best memory – saving the snail from the road with a Lute Card.
During the closing stage of the OTR, students and DJS staff reflected on their days and shared some highlights over dinner. Juliano announced that the OTR can count as one of the two events students have to attend to be a part of the DJS Coalition, a “community of Lutes who commit to continuing their learning about diversity, justice, and sustainability and integrating it as a core value of living and leading in diverse communities.” However, there will also be seven more events this semester that qualify.
More information and instructions can be found on the DJS website.
