In recognition of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s commitment to championing social justice and providing a fair, inclusive and welcoming environment for the entire campus community, the University presents Social Justice Week March 30–April 3.

UW Oshkosh employees and students and the general public are welcome to attend.

In previous years, individual groups at the University hosted events centering on the various aspects of social justice. For the first time, presentations and discussions will be held within a single week, with event topics ranging from affirmative action and the enrollment of students of color to mental illness and gay issues in higher education. Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton will speak at the Gender Equity Council’s ninth-annual Celebration of Women April 2.

Social Justice Week concludes April 3 with a ceremony honoring the “Oshkosh 94,” UW Oshkosh students who were arrested and expelled for protesting racial issues on Nov. 21, 1968, a day that came to be known as Black Thursday. UW Oshkosh will contribute $10,000 toward the Oshkosh 94 Memorial Scholarship for African-American students of any major.

“It is our role as educators to examine history and support an atmosphere of learning and progressing,” Chancellor Richard H. Wells said. “UW Oshkosh is devoted to increasing diversity and inclusivity on campus so all community members can grow together and learn from one another.”

Sponsored by the Office of Equity and Affirmative Action and the Alliance for Equity and Diversity, Social Justice Week falls during UW Oshkosh’s ongoing campus climate study, a series of proactive assessments of the University’s progress toward providing an inclusive, supportive environment for students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.

“The goal is set up a framework where the campus community is comfortable talking about these issues before there is a problem,” said Pamela Lassiter, Director of Equity and Affirmative Action at UW Oshkosh.

The schedule for Social Justice Week follows:

Monday, March 30

• 3–5 p.m., Room 227C, Reeve Memorial Union — The Growing Disappearance of Students of Color in College, Vicki Washington, Associate Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UW System

Tuesday, March 31

• 3–5 p.m., Room 213, Reeve Union — Affirmative Action in the 21st Century, James R. Parker, Professor Emeritus, UW-La Crosse

• 5–6:30 p.m., Room 6, Center for Equity and Diversity — Gay Issues in Higher Education, Liz Cannon, Director, LGBTQ Resource Center; and Shawn Patrick, President, Rainbow Alliance for HOPE

Wednesday, April 1

• 3–5 p.m., Room 215, Reeve — Prisons or Colleges, Michael Lenza and Stephen Richards, Professors, UW Oshkosh, and DeWayne Street, Education Director, Oshkosh Correctional Institution

• 3–5 p.m., Room 220, Reeve — Mental Illness: The Silent Disability, Michael Altekruse and Deadre Holmes, UW Oshkosh Counseling Center; and Karen Aspenson, Executive Director, NAMI Fox Valley

Thursday, April 2

• 3–4:30 p.m., Room 215, Reeve — Mentoring and Role Models: Their Value in the Development of Marginalized Groups, Clayborn Benson, Museum Director, Wisconsin Black Historical Society; Irma Burgos, Interim Director, Center for Academic Support and Diversity; and Emerging Scholars student mentees

• 5–6:30 p.m., Titan Lounge, Gruenhagen Conference Center — Gender Equity Council’s Ninth-Annual Celebration of Women, keynote speech by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton; Honoring Caregivers in Wartime: Stories of RNs in Major U.S. Conflicts

Friday, April 3

• 9:30 a.m.–noon, Room 307, Reeve — Employment Law Issues in 2009, Robert Gregg, Partner, Boardman Law Firm

• 5–6:30 p.m., Room 221, Reeve — Closing Address, Chancellor Richard H. Wells; Black Thursday Presentation, Stephen Kercher, History Professor, UW Oshkosh; Honoring the Oshkosh 94