Register now for diversity conference at EOU

Pre-registrations are being accepted now for the Celebrate, Educate & Appreciate Diversity Conference, set for Feb. 11 at Eastern Oregon University. 

Featuring multiple workshops, speakers, lunch and more, the conference is open to students, clubs, advisers and the community.

It is the first diversity-focused student convention to be held at the university and organizers plan to make it an annual event. 

Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m., with sessions taking place in Badgley Hall. 

Attendees will receive a certificate identifying that they have completed five hours of diversity training. There is no cost for students to participate and the first 100 students to register will be given a free T-shirt. A $10 registration fee applies to non-students and includes the cost of lunch. T-shirts will also be available to purchase.

The featured speaker of the day is Jim Garcia, coordinator of the Chicano/Latino student program at Lane Community College in Eugene, and an adjunct instructor for the Chicano/Latino studies program at Portland State University. 

All of the Eastern student-presenters attended the Oregon Students of Color Coalition Conference and will bring what they learned and experienced to the upcoming conference at EOU.

Oregon Student Association staff members will also be presenting. 

“The primary goal of the conference is to educate and develop personal growth with regard to our understanding of power, privilege, biases and stereotypes,” said Colleen Cascio, director of student relations at EOU. “It is vital that we learn how these components shape us as individuals and as a university community, and we are looking forward to hearing what our students have to share.” 

EOU’s Multicultural Center and Student Council for Multicultural Affairs are sponsoring the conference. Additional support is coming from EOU’s Center for Student Involvement, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Athletics Department, Vending Committee, University Advancement, Aramark, Safeway, Sorbenots Coffee, Walmart, Mamacita’s International Grill and Golden Harvest Restaurant. 

For more information and to pre-register for the conference, visit www.eou.edu/oma/CEAD.html or call 541-962-3741.