Call for Proposals Open for 2024 Spirit of Identity Week Events

The second annual Spirit of Identity Week, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15 through Saturday, Jan. 20, will feature events and activities hosted by members of the campus community.

Last year, the presidents of the Black Student Union, Latiné Student Union, Muslim Student Alliance, Asian Student Union, and Sexuality and Gender Alliance, in partnership with the Student Government Association, imagined and created the weeklong celebration to promote Fisher’s diversity and foster an inclusive and accessible global community of citizens.

For the 2024 celebration, the Spirit of Identity Week Planning Committee is seeking proposals from students, faculty, and staff to host or sponsor events that align with the theme, “I Belong Here.”

Members of the campus community are invited to host an event or activity that can (1) serve as a driver for the examination of the intersectionality of persons and diverse groups of people and how they see others, their experiences, and social identities; (2) reshape cultural awareness and perceptions of different cultures; (3) recognize the voices of the silenced and invisible so that they may have a voice and presence on campus; (4) celebrate differences; and (5) create a sense of belonging at Fisher.

“One valuable lesson that organizers learned from the first Spirit of Identity Week was that in order to increase diversity and inclusion at Fisher, we need to link the celebration to the strategic mission and history, ensuring that a framework is used to align the change to demonstrate that cultural awareness is happening at Fisher,” said Dr. Marlowe Washington, senior diversity officer.

The committee will accept submissions through Tuesday, Oct. 31. Washington said that proposals for events do not have to be fully defined prior to submission and stressed that the committee is encouraging departments, divisions, Schools, and all clubs to consider participating.

“We realize it will take time to complete event details, and only need a concept and intent to host for the submission,” he explained.

The planning committee will notify accepted submissions by the second week in November with more details. Submissions can be completed online.