These two events will occur on Thursday, May 1, 2008 
Deans’ Colloquium
4:30 p.m. @ PAC 002
“Becoming a Ripple of Change:
How to become a more effective ally when confronted with social injustices”
How can we transform Wesleyan into a healthy and respectful community in which all individuals feel supported and appreciated? In what ways may we unintentionally contribute to a lack of inclusiveness on campus? Understanding what it means to be a social justice ally can help answer these questions. The Deans’ Colloquium discussion series, in partnership with members of the Residential Life Student Staff, will be hosting Dr. Alan Berkowitz who will present recent research and theory on this topic with an emphasis on examining individuals who are passive bystanders and how those people can be encouraged to take an active leadership role in solving campus problems and intervening on behalf of other groups.
Skill Building Workshop
8:30 p.m. @ Fayerweather Theater Room
“Confronting Social Invisibility: Skills to deconstruct hurtful behaviors”
As a follow-up to the afternoon presentation, Dr. Berkowitz will conduct a skill building workshop to provide an opportunity for members of the community to gain a valuable skill set in a safe space where ideas for change can be shared and explored. This workshop will teach strategies for responding to unwelcome remarks and health-risk behaviors. Often we find ourselves in situations where someone else’s language or behavior makes us feel uncomfortable, yet we do not do anything to change it. Most people are uncomfortable with prejudicial language about other groups, yet often we are silent. Similarly, when someone we know is engaging in harmful behavior, we often want to say something but don’t. Why don’t we act on our core values and ideals in these situations? This workshop will provide a critical analysis of bystander behavior and offer some skills for intervening in difficult situations.
Light refreshments will be served at both events.
Wesleyan University students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend, ask questions and participate in the discussion.
Dr. Berkowitz has over twenty years of experience in higher education as a trainer, psychologist, faculty member, and Counseling Center Director. At Hobart and William Smith Colleges he developed one of the first rape prevention programs for men, was co-director of the college’s highly regarded Men and Masculinity Program and chaired the Prejudice Reduction Task Force. More recently, he has been a central figure in the development of Social Norms Theory and is a leader in research and implementation of the model. His lecture and workshop topics include: changing campus culture, effective drug and sexual assault prevention strategies, reducing prejudice on campus, racial identity theory, multicultural issues in the classroom, alcohol and sexual assault, men’s responsibility for preventing sexual assault, developing alliances across differences, and understanding today’s students. His workshops are designed to increase the personal and professional effectiveness of faculty, staff, student leaders, athletes and coaches, health professionals, and community members. For more information on Dr. Berkowitz, go to his website: www.alanberkowitz.com
