Dear Colleagues:
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Fall 2023 Staff as Students of Social Justice (SSSJ) Program. This program, which is now in its fourth year, allows staff members to participate in timely topics by engaging in readings and lectures from scholars on issues of race, ethnicity, and gender, and digging into subjects that are of personal interest. It is also a great way to build connections with staff colleagues.
The SSSJ Program is an important expression of the campus’ commitment to the intellectual and professional development of staff, especially around issues of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The program is made possible by funding support from the Division of Equity and Inclusion, the Division of Undergraduate Education, and People & Culture, and is a keystone effort of the university’s work towards Becoming an Anti-Racist Campus. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this exciting opportunity!
Program Overview
- Participate in a weekly discussion section with a graduate student instructor just for SSSJ participants, facilitated over Zoom
- Anticipate 3-4 hours of class/discussion/lecture viewing per week, plus additional time to complete readings
- No exams, grades or academic credit
- Must attend at least 80% of meetings and participate fully to complete the course
- Upon completion, you will receive a certificate signed by Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Oliver O’Reilly, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion Dania Matos, and Associate Vice Chancellor Eugene Whitlock, which is added to your HR personnel file
This fall we will be offering a seminar for staff led by SSSJ Director of Pedagogy David Maldonado: “Material Anti-Racisms”, a deep exploration of abolitionism and higher education, paired with content from our previous spring 2023 lecture series “Aspirations of Material Anti-Racism: What’s Next.” This seminar would be scheduled for 90 minutes, meeting once a week. In addition, participants can look forward to periodic brown bag lunch sessions hosted by the American Cultures Center over the semester.
If you are interested in participating, please indicate your participation preferences on the application form. (The form is very brief and should only take a few minutes.) Applications are due by end of day, Tuesday, August 29. We will let all applicants know if they have been selected shortly after the deadline.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Staff as Students of Social Justice Program Staff at sssj@berkeley.edu.
Sincerely,
This message was sent to all UC Berkeley staff.