About 40 students and 10 faculty and staff members will attend an overnight camp-style retreat January 12-16 to discuss issues of prejudice, racism, sexism, culture, bias, homophobia, and more.
Allies Institute is a program sponsored by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The program, held at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in neighboring Bedford County, uses interactive and experiential exercises to allow participants to think deeply about themselves and the world in new and different ways.
The Allies Institute (formerly Collegetown) is the VCIC’s signature higher education program. The Allies Institute features interactive workshops, intense small group discussions, and exercises.
The institute will give University of Lynchburg students an opportunity to talk about the origin and cycle of prejudice, and students will create action plans to implement when they return to campus to foster a more inclusive community. Campus members who cannot attend the entire retreat are invited to one of three workshops:
• Wednesday, January 13, 7 – 9:30 p.m. – “Prejudice/Advantage” Workshop
• Friday, January 15, 7 – 9:30 p.m. – “Culture and Belief Night”
• Saturday, January 16, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – “Action Planning” Workshop
For more information, contact Ally Datz, assistant director of alumni programs, at 434.544.8296 or datz@lynchburg.edu.
