Responding to Current Events
Student Resources
The Butler Center
The Butler Center, named for one of the earliest African American alums who invested in the future of CC, serves as the college center for diversity, inclusion, intercultural exchange, equity, and empowerment for the entire Colorado College community. Visit the Butler Center website.
Colorado College Black Student Union (CCBSU)
Student Leaders: Dylan Hall (d_hall@coloradocollege.edu) and Lonnell Schuler (l_schuler@coloradocollege.edu)
BSU is an inclusive, safe space on campus for intersectional Black and Brown people. We aim to engage students to explore and advocate for their intersectional identities while simultaneously building community among each other and allies. We also strive to foster a supportive and engaging environment by hosting both social and educational events with the hope of sparking campus-wide action on race and ethnicity.
Black Women @ CC
Student Leaders: Elizabeth Banjoko (e_banjoko@coloradocollege.edu) and Erin Huggins(e_huggins@coloradocollege.edu)
The mission of this group is to empower and uplift Black women. We hope to promote a positive body image and a healthy mind.
Justice Watch
Student Leader: Katie Wang (ke_wang@coloradocollege.edu) and Anjali Khanna (a_khanna@coloradocollege.edu)
The goal of Justice Watch is to be the eyes and ears of the community by addressing the lack of a group that independently monitors local judges and attorneys to keep them accountable for unfair treatment. It also seeks to address a lack of awareness, on the part of students, of what goes on in the justice system at a local level. To address these problems, Justice Watch brings students to the El Paso County courthouse to monitor these legal players. This group offers an opportunity for low time commitment volunteer work that has a high impact on the community and the members involved. The group drives students to the courthouse every second and third Monday of the block to observes/monitors court rooms for roughly one hour.
Multi-Racial Affinity Group
Student Leaders: Olivia Liu (o_liu@coloradocollege.edu) and Anya Steinberg (a_steinberg@coloradocollege.edu)
MRA is an organization for multiracial students to explore and advocate for their intersectional racial and ethnic identities while simultaneously building community among each other. We will discuss, document, and critically examine the experiences of navigating multi-racial and multi-ethnic identities on campus as well as worldwide. All this will be done while celebrating and highlighting the diversity of our members’ heritage.
Multicultural Organization of Students: An International Community (MOSAIC)
Student Leaders: Tronik Pallas (t_tronik@coloradocollege.edu) and Parker Rehmus (p_rehmus@coloradocollege.edu)
The mission of MOSAIC is to bring awareness to multiculturalism and internationalism at Colorado College and the surrounding community. Mosaic not only provides a safe space for international students to organize and talk about their own culture and the realities of being an international student at CC, but it also provides an opportunity for CC students of U.S. nationality an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about multiculturalism and internationalism at CC.
Chaplain’s Office
The Chaplain's Office fosters the life of the spirit by inviting authentic spiritual exploration and meaningful religious commitment. Supporting the human quest for identity and belonging, we cultivate an education of the heart to enrich the life of the mind at CC through rituals, practices, engaged communities, and individual spiritual and pastoral care. View the collection of resources curated by Chaplain Kate Holbrook: Intersections of Spirituality, Anti-racism, Social Justice, & Practice
The Steve Fund
The Steve Fund provides free text crisis counseling for BIPOC students; text STEVE to 741741 anytime of day or night (24/7) for support.
Student Support Resources
Faculty and Staff Resources
Teaching Resources
This topic may evoke strong emotions in everyone. Some may want to talk about it to process what happens in our bodies, thoughts, and emotions, while others have a strong emotion to not want to talk about it. We recognize that for some, discussing race-related trauma can be retraumatizing. We have to work to understand student experiences and support them to process and heal from their trauma. Social justice issues affect everyone differently. Rather than stopping students from talking about what we are seeing on the news outlets, you can opt to discuss the Derek Chauvin trial in the classroom.
Here are resources that may be helpful for faculty or staff who want to create supportive spaces for students to process what has happened:
- Teaching the Day After: Resources for the Chauvin Trial
- Teaching About Race When There are Only a Few BIPOC Students in Class
- Antiracism Resources for Higher Ed
- Trauma-Informed Teaching and Learning in Higher Ed
- Teaching Through National Upheaval
- Colleges Can Teach How to Open Eyes and Ears: Higher education must help people understand the Derek Chauvin trial and its implications, along with other examples of the brutality of racism
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Guidance Resources provides short term counseling, crisis services, and legal/financial services to benefits-eligible staff, their spouses/domestic partners, and dependent children. EAP provides free, confidential, short-term counseling, referral, and follow-up services at no cost to you. You and your immediate family members are eligible for six counseling sessions per year.
Chaplain’s Office
The Chaplain's Office fosters the life of the spirit by inviting authentic spiritual exploration and meaningful religious commitment. Supporting the human quest for identity and belonging, we cultivate an education of the heart to enrich the life of the mind at CC through rituals, practices, engaged communities, and individual spiritual and pastoral care. View the collection of resources curated by Chaplain Kate Holbrook: Intersections of Spirituality, Anti-racism, Social Justice, & Practice
Supporting Your Fellow Employees
Below are ways to offer assistance, provide guidance, and acknowledge the added uncertainty placed upon employees during this difficult time. Whether you are a manager, supervisor, or team member, there will be opportunities during this time to care for and support one another.
Employees, especially BIPOC, may be facing stressors. This time in our lives is not “business as usual.” Make intentional efforts to reach out to your team members to check in on their safety and well-being.
- Connect with your team personally and professionally through routine check-ins, keeping in mind that some employees may be experiencing stressful days. Consider extending work deadlines, offering time away from the computer as needed, and finding ways for employees to voluntarily discuss their experience, as appropriate. Managers and supervisors should listen openly and offer support when needed.
Manager and supervisor expectations:
- Take this time to listen and understand the needs of your employees, offering support and services when needed.
- Provide opportunities for listening sessions and feedback that allow for empathy, compassion, and care.
Source: Trial Community Support and Education by the University of Minnesota.
Education and Empowerment Resources
Post-Verdict Empowerment Plan
The Post-Verdict Empowerment Plan is a guided worksheet designed to help you process emotionally and stay involved in the issues that are important to you. It also contains a wealth of suggested readings, self-care/journaling prompts, and resources available on and off campus.
CC Conversations
- CC Conversations on Racism, Policing, & Protest
- CC Conversation on Antiracism
- CC Conversation on Election 2020: What's at Stake?
- CC Conversation on Mental Health During this Disembodied Year
Ways to Show Active Support for Antiracism
View these ways to show your active support for antiracism assembled by the diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership team.
Sr. Helen Prejean: Advocating Against the Death Penalty
Sr. Helen Prejean, author of the bestselling book “Dead Man Walking” spoke about her new memoir “River of Fire” on Friday, April 2. Sr. Helen Prejean’s activism against the death penalty is known worldwide. She is the author of the bestselling book “Dead Man Walking” which sparked a national conversation around capital punishment and inspired a major motion picture. Her latest book “River of Fire” is a memoir aimed at anyone interested in journeys of faith and spirituality, doubt and belief, and “catching on fire” to one’s purpose and passion. View the recording.