(Photo Credit: Office of Inclusive Excellence)
Saint Xavier University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence sent out an email on Jan. 23 to inform students of their scheduled spring discussions and workshops. They are focusing on Earth, one of the critical concerns the Sisters of Mercy were founded upon.
The Office of Inclusive Excellence at Saint Xavier formed in Aug. 2022.
“We have done some [events] previously, especially for like Latina Heritage Month and some of the other heritage months. We have done workshops previously on other topics for students, like on LGBTQIA+ themes and how to be more inclusive of those identities,” Camila Márquez, Associate Director of Multicultural Training and Development, said.
Regarding spring’s upcoming schedule, Márquez added, “This is the first one that we’re trying to make something that is continuous throughout a semester that will bring faculty, students, and staff together to discuss similar themes.”
For the chosen topic’s inspiration, Márquez detailed, “Initially, we were planning on doing a common read with one book, and reading Adrienne Marie Brown’s ‘Emergent Strategy.’ Because the themes of that book discuss earth and how we can learn examples of leadership from the earth, we decided to make a chapter from that book one of the portions of the discussion and expand it to kind of include a lot of different lenses.”
Students can expect to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside the existing environmental racism and how we can care more for the place we inhabit in a time of climate uncertainty.
The spring schedule for Earth consists of eight different events: four discussions and four workshops.
The first Zoom discussion took place on Feb. 6, with a followup in-person workshop on Feb. 21 from 12–1 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room. Both of these concentrate on “Reverence for the Earth.”
“[We want] to center into the earth as being sacred, especially thinking about reverence for the earth, and how having that mindset of the earth as being sacred leads to greater care for the earth and seeing what that looks like across cultures and across the world,” Márquez explained.
The next set includes a Zoom discussion on Feb. 27 from 12–1 p.m. and an in-person workshop on March 14 from 12–1 p.m. in the fourth floor boardroom, centering on “Environmental Justice in the United States.”
Following is a Zoom discussion on March 19 from 12–1 p.m. and an in-person workshop on March 27 from 3–4 p.m. in the fourth floor boardroom, tackling “Environmental Justice Around the World.”
“[It] is something that encompasses so, so much that we can see in our local communities in terms of the pollution that exists in Chicago and how people are being impacted in many other places in the United States as well.” Márquez expanded.
Addressing the issue globally, Márquez noted, “In terms of looking at it through the international lens, of course with what is happening in Gaza, too, recognizing land and olive trees as being sacred. What does that connection to the land look like and how are people removed from the land?”
The final workshop will take place on April 4 from 3–4 p.m. over Zoom, featuring guest Dr. John Low, an Associate professor and member of the Department of Comparative Studies at Ohio State University.
The final Zoom discussion will take place on April 9 from 12–1 p.m., ending with “Healing the Earth and Healing with the Earth.”
Márquez believes that this conclusion to the spring events could open the door to us thinking about what we can do now to address the varying issues of environmental justice and develop greater reciprocity with the earth.
“Forest bathing or spending time with earth – that has a huge, positive impact on mental health and physical health. So what does that reciprocity look like?” she added.
The upcoming events are sure to benefit all members of the Saint Xavier community, allowing for serious discussions to take place on topics that impact all of us. They will provide an opportunity to share ideas and build connections within the university regarding connectedness to the earth.
Eddie Almanza, current junior at Saint Xavier, said, “These are serious topics and I’m glad that the school is talking about this and finding ways to help.”
Almanza also commented that a future topic of interest for him would be related to issues in healthcare, mentioning the seriousness and lack of attention to this area.
When I talked to Almanza about the upcoming events, however, he was unaware of them taking place. These discussions and workshops heavily impact students and lead to the road to change—so how do we spread the word?
“Everything goes around on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. I think being active on social media and talking about these topics can bring more people together.” Almanza explained.
The Office of Inclusive Excellence hopes to continue events and spread awareness in the future, past the spring 2024 semester.
“Our hope is to look at some of the other critical concerns. I think ultimately, I would love to see this be something that is actively engaged with.” Márquez concluded.
Those with ideas for a potential workshop to add to the series, or who are interested in attending the upcoming events, can email Márquez at marquez@sxu.edu.