Office of Multicultural Affairs

~Tri-College Summer Institute~

Seminars on Race, Gender, Class and Privilege

Date: August 17-24, 2008
Location: Bryn Mawr College
Application: www.haverford.edu/deans/OMA/tricoapp.htm
Deadline: June 16, 2008

The Tri-College Summer Institute Program is a weeklong orientation sponsored by Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore Colleges for first-year students who are interested in exploring issues of multicultural identity and leadership, especially as they relate to race, class, and gender. The program consists of a series of interactive workshops and seminars led by administrators and Student Resource Persons (SRPs) from each of the three colleges. All entering first-year students are invited to apply and limited spaces are available. Summer Tri-Co takes place the week immediately preceding the general first-year orientation for each of the three colleges. In order to have a successful experience, participants need to enter the program with the understanding that they are engaging in a process of development and change as they learn about themselves, their identity groups, and their institutions. The goal of the program is to give first-year students the introductory knowledge and experience to thrive in the curricular and co-curricular spheres of their home institutions.

• Provide participants with a safe space for them to explore individual identity issues and develop awareness regarding gender, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic class and spirituality.
• Give participants insight into the challenges they will face as change agents on predominantly white college campuses.
• Familiarize first-year students with the administrative support services on each campus.
• Provide participants with opportunities to recognize the diversity and talent within the Tri-College community.

 

Further, Tri-Co participants should expect to leave the program:

• Feeling positive about their upcoming college experience and their ability to excel at their home college.
• With a deeper understanding of their own identity and how that fuller understanding will be to their advantage during their college years.
• More aware of the diversity of culture, experience, and opinion that exists among the tri-college student of color community.
• With at least a preliminary understanding of leadership, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills they will need to excel at their home college.

Comments from past participants:

"Tri-Co was one of the best experiences of my life. When I entered I was really nervous that there was going to be a lot of tension beteween myself and other program participants; when I realized that everyone was just as nervous as I was I started forming some of the fastest and deepest friendships I've ever had. More than anything else I left Tri-Co feeling that I had undergone the sort of learning experience that changes you at the core. I knew I was ready for the coming year because I had met some truly wonderful classmates."

~2009 Tri-College Winter Institute~

• To provide a safe space for open and frank discussions
• To develop a common language to discuss diversity issues
• To promote personal learning about inter/intra-group dynamics
• To encourage cross-cultural dialogue
• To explore inter-group and intra-group conflict
• To develop skills and to build coalitions of students, staff, and faculty committed to multicultural change on campus.

• Small and large group discussions
• Simulation games
• Cultural sharing
• People of color caucus/white people caucus

Last Updated: Tue, 3 June, 2008 1:59 PM (EDT)

OMA: 111 Stokes Hall
(610) 896-2905 office