Welcome to Fall 2024!
A Note from WLRC's Director Heading link
If you are new to UIC, we are glad that you are here.
To those who are returning for the 2nd, 4th or the 24th year, welcome back!
As we return to our desks and offices and departments to do the complicated work of cultivating a healthy and robust educational environment that we can all participate in and be proud of, I am reminded that we continue to live in challenging times. Between the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the hurricane that swept through the Caribbean, and Kamala Harris’s campaign for president of the U.S., I did not get much summer reading done. But, I did have a moment to read this essay about June Jordan and Audre Lorde. So, if you ask what I am thinking about right now, it’s about solidarity—how we build it, sustain it, work through the challenges of doing it, face the limits of such. As WLRC launches our programs for the fall 2024 semester, we hope to hear from many of you about how you are doing the work of solidarity and helping to cultivate new visions for a just society and world, beginning here at UIC. If you want space to bring folks together to talk about the solidarity work that you are doing, or any other issue that is important to you, let us know. We will do our best to accommodate you.
A couple things of note:
- An announcement about CAN was sent to deans, directors and heads of departments at UIC. I am sharing it with you so that more people will have the information that they need to support survivors and student-parents on campus.
- There are two important policies that need your input: the policy regarding the ability of anyone—from students to the cultural centers—to mount protests on campus; and, the policy regarding expression of opinions about anything. Both of these policies have important implications for WLRC and for the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change. I know a lot of stuff flows through your inbox; I hope that you can take some time to offer feedback to the university administration. The deadline is Friday, September 6. If you have any questions or concerns about giving feedback, please let me know.
Mark your calendars!
September 11: WLRC is off to a flaming start—queer women at UIC, we have a little sup’m for you! Here’s a chance to get together, welcome the fall semester, meet new folks and get to know the community!
September 17: WLRC’s Open House is coming up! Come by to say hello, learn about the history of the center, have some bites, and find out about the many student-facing programs and offices that are in SSB.
September 20-22: The Social Justice Initiative’s Portal Project culminates in a 3-day conference event. You won’t want to miss this opportunity.
Until next time, take good care of yourself and each other,
Natalie Bennett