Awareness and Appreciation Programming Block

In RA Training this weekend we are going to spend some time reviewing the programming model and getting some brainstorming and proposal completing done so that we jump start the semester. One of the programming blocks that is not being used to its fullest potential is the Awareness and Appreciation block.

I am going to go out on a limb here and let you all know that just because you list that you and the area residents will be "appreciating" something does not make it qualify for this block. Here are some different programming ideas that fit into the category, would fulfill the requirements for an all area program. These ideas also move away from falling back on sustainability as the default program topic in this block.

Holidays in February A program that highlights different cultural holidays outside of the holiday season. Who doesn't like a little Christmas in July? Kwanzaa in September? The event could be set up in stations where students spend 20 minutes in each culture's celebration doing an activity that is specific to that holiday. You could incorporate- Los Posadas, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Diwali, and others that you learn about while researching. You could also enlist the help of student organizations that have members who might be interested in presenting information about these holidays.

Apathy Obstacle Course This event would put students in the perspective of those students who are differently abled. Using resources like a wheel chair and crutches from the Nurse, the beer googles, a blind fold, ear plugs or loud music in head phones RAs can create an obstacle course where students have to physically make their way through the room. Barriers like opening exterior doors, having to navigate without their sight, etc, helps students to understand the difficultly of being differently abled. This program could also include different activities that simulate someone with a learning disability or other non physical attribute that can make life more challenging. Teaching students about dyslexia, OCD, color blindness and other things like that can help them to appreciate the abilities they have.

Empty Bowls Working with Sodexo you could host an empty bowls program. This event simulates what it is like to experience food disparity in the world. The idea is that the vast majority of people in attendance will be served broth with a very small amount of rice or root vegetable. A small amount will have an average amount of rice and veggies. Then a very small amount will have a full meal including meat. The percentages of people with each type of meal represents the percentages of people in the world who survive on those size servings every day in the world.

Archie Bunkers Neighborhood This is a game that illustrates racial stereotypes and how dangerous they are for relationships. The Residence Life office has this game and all the materials. The participants are divided into color groups, purple, pink, orange, etc. Then the facilitators are told how to treat each group based on a racial stereotype. The orange team might be spoken too very loud and fast while the facilitators ask if they speak English which is a stereotype of Americans or other people living here who do not speak English as a their first language. Other groups would include, African Americans, Asian Americans, Handicap persons, LGBT populations, etc. Only the facilitators are aware of how to treat each group. Then the game starts and each colored team must building infrastructure in their city by getting building permits and avoid being imprisoned. Eventually the students participating assume the role of their stereotype and learning ensues.

Keep your eyes peeled for more ideas to come through in the ResLife Reader as we start the semester that will help you think outside of the box!
-Jessica