RECOGNIZING CORE VALUES TO FIGHT OPPRESSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

S t e p h an i e S t e i e r t , N i c o l e t t e B a r t u l s ki , Colleen Sheahon, and Gianna Hedin

OVERVIEW
Oppression in higher education Recognizing rituals and biases in daily life Evaluating core values and their influences on our interactions Promoting inclusivity through rituals and core values Interrupting oppression to promote inclusivity Creating safe spaces at Orientation programs

FIGHTING OPPRESSION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

What are possible ways a student in a college setting could experience oppression? In what ways can oppression hinder a students feeling of inclusivity or possibility for success within the schools community?

INCLUSIVITY AT PORTLAND STATE

Best Practices
Inclusive language of orientation programs and small group sessions Inclusivity of all groups when discussing clubs and groups Expression of diversity and a community for everyone in campus tour

Room for Improvement

Interrupting oppressions among incoming students in small groups and coworkers Perpetuating cycles of inclusivity and diversity from the very beginning (Orientation)

ADAPTING RITUALS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

Recognize Rituals Recognize Bias What habits and rituals do Evaluate Values we Act on Values unconsciously
internalize and perpetuate?

ADAPTING RITUALS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

Recognize Rituals Recognize Bias What habits and rituals do Evaluate Values How do these we internalizations Act on Values unconsciously
internalize and perpetuate? affect personal biases? How do these biases affect habits?

UNDERSTANDING RITUALS
We view, internalize, and understand actions through personal value systems. We then act based on habits and rituals we create through these values.

Action

Perpetuating Values

Internalization

ADAPTING RITUALS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

Recognize Rituals Recognize Bias What habits Evaluate Values and rituals do How do these we Act on Values unconsciously internalization
Understand affect personal internalize and how core biases? perpetuate? values affect How do these the biases affect internalization action? process and personal biases.

ADAPTING RITUALS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

Recognize Rituals
What habits and rituals do we unconsciously internalize and perpetuate?

Recognize Bias
How do these internalization affect personal Understand how core biases? values affect How do these the biases affect internalization action? process and personal biases.

Evaluate Values Act on Values

Acting through core values promotes authenticity in human interaction.

PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY THROUGH RITUAL AND CORE VALUES

How can your understanding of your core values be used to promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity? Thinking of these values, what habits can you create for yourself to perpetuate a cycle of understanding and inclusivity instead of a cycle of bias and oppression?

INTERRUPTING OPPRESSION
What is an oppression? Why interrupt oppressions? Strategies for interrupting oppressions:
Give them the benefit of the doubt Allow them to explain themselves Ask, What did you mean by that? or What did you mean when you said that word? Own up to personal ignorance, biases and emotions Act authentically through your own values

Starting the conversation:

Identify the oppressive language Dialogue how the language is oppressive Offer alternative language choice

CREATING A SAFE SPACE AND ENSURING INCLUSIVITY AT ORIENTATION PROGRAMS

Responsibility of student leaders to create safe space for all individuals Understand core values to create authenticity in the promotion of diversity and inclusivity Understand the varying core values of all individuals
Parents and students at Orientation Program Peers and staff working on Orientation Team

Recognizing the responsibility of interrupting cycles of oppression as individuals in a leadership position