UA News

Students across the nation are invited to register to attend Equiss, a UA student-led social justice retreat.

Equiss will bring University of Arizona students together with students across the nation for a three-day social justice retreat in May.

The annual retreat, which will be held May 22 through 24, is open for enrollment to any college student and aims to educate students about systems of oppression, privilege and identity development.

Corey Seemiller, program director for leadership programs at the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and Jennifer Hoefle, the center's senior coordinator for campus activities, noted in a joint release that the UA-led event is not merely about education.

"Student participants are encouraged to take action in their respective communities by working to create a more fair and just world," Seemiller and Hoefle said.

Equiss, hosted by the UA, educates students on ways to positively and effectively address issues of injustice, inequity and inequality on campus and in the broader context of American society.

Because instances of injustice continue, such leadership and training events remain necessary.

During the Equiss retreat participants will have the chance to learn, explore and reflect on issues of social justice within a community of college students from across the country.

Equiss is a compound word, including the words "equity" and "access." The organization was founded in 2002 and last year opened registration to students across the nation for the first time since its inception.

The retreat will be held at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, which is located in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. During the series, students participate in exercises, simulations, group discussions and work in teams. The event also includes a period for self-reflection.

On the first day, participants will discuss issues related to identity and identity development.

The second day will cover issues related to social justice in general, particularly through simulations, discussions, strategic planning events, teambuilding exercises and the "P2O: Power, Privilege, and Oppression" activity. Also that day, participants will discuss ways to celebrate divergent identities.

The third day is devoted to the idea of action. Participants will figure out ways to break down systems of oppression and also how to rebuild systems in a more equitable way.