Tri-College Summer Institute @BMC August 17-24, 2008

The Tri-College Summer Institute Program is a weeklong orientation sponsored by Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges for first-year students who are interested in exploring issues of multicultural identity and leadership, especially as they relate to race, class, and gender.  The program consists of a series of interactive workshops and seminars led by administrators and Student Resource Persons (SRPs) from each of the three colleges.  All entering first-year students are invited to apply and limited spaces are available.  Summer Tri-Co takes place the week immediately preceding the general first-year orientation for each of the three colleges.  In order to have a successful experience, participants need to enter the program with the understanding that they are engaging in a process of development and change as they learn about themselves, their identity groups, and their institutions.  The goal of the program is to give first-year students the introductory knowledge and experience to thrive in the curricular and co-curricular spheres of their home institutions.

Towards that goal, Tri-Co is designed to:

• Provide participants with a safe space for them to explore individual identity issues and develop awareness regarding gender, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic class and spirituality.

• Give participants insight into the challenges they will face as change agents on predominantly white college campuses.

• Familiarize first-year students with the administrative support services on each campus.

• Provide participants with opportunities to recognize the diversity and talent within the Tri-College community.

Further, Tri-Co participants should expect to leave the program:

• Feeling positive about their upcoming college experience and their ability to excel at their home college.

• With a deeper understanding of their own identity and how that fuller understanding will be to their advantage during their college years.

• More aware of the diversity of culture, experience, and opinion that exists among the tri-college student of color community.

• With at least a preliminary understanding of leadership, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills they will need to excel at their home college.

Tri-College Multicultural Winter Institute:

Building Cross-Cultural Leadership Skills for Students, Staff, and Faculty

The Tri-College Winter Institute takes place each year at Swarthmore College four days before second semester classes begin. The program is open to students, faculty, and staff from Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges and consists of 3 1/2 days of intensive experiential workshops focused on issues of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Program Objectives:
· To provide a safe space for open and frank discussions
· To develop a common language to discuss diversity issues
· To promote personal learning about inter/intra group dynamics
· To encourage cross-cultural dialogue
· To explore intergroup and intragroup conflict
· To develop skills and to build coalitions of students, staff, and faculty committed to multicultural change on campus.

Activities:
· Small and large group discussions
· Simulation games
· Cultural sharing
· People of color caucus/white people caucus

Comments from past participants: What were the highlights of the Institute for you?
· "The whole thing. Something I'll never forget. It was a very powerful experience."
· "Making connections with wonderful people."
· "Mask/Unmasked exercise was a powerful experience and learning tool."
· "The discussions and activities concerning privilege."
· "Making friends and building alliances."
· "People of color caucus."
· "White people caucus."