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Fall 2024

Fall semester ongoing series (students) - Navigating Conflict
This drop-in space gives students an opportunity to talk through interpersonal conflicts, learn communication strategies, and be heard. Drop in conversations are private and informal spaces for students to chat with a counselor from Emmons Wellness Center. Navigating Conflict takes place every Tuesday in the Obama Lounge from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Week of October 28, 2024 (students) - Nurturing Allyship: Explaining Antisemitism and Jewish Identity
This program will lead students in exploring the historical context of antisemitism as a systemic bigotry and what it is. Students will leave with an understanding of anti-Jewish themes and how antisemitism operates, as well as a greater capacity to help others recognize the complex identities and lived experiences of the Jewish people and the skills to identify anti-Jewish language, ideas, and harm.

October 10, 2024 (students) - Impacted by Global Trauma Circle 
This mental health and wellness program is dedicated to creating a safe space for students to process various traumatic events occurring around the world. Whether one is directly or indirectly impacted by any global event, this will be a space for processing and understanding the nuances between direct traumatization, vicarious traumatization, bystander effects, and compassion fatigue, as well as for discussing supportive grounding and coping skills. The program will aim to provide a space for dialogue about the emotional and mental health impacts individuals are experiencing related to world events, and to help link students with mental health services for in-depth psychological processing. (This will not be a space to debate socio-political viewpoints on events, but rather an opportunity for students of any and all intersectional identities and viewpoints to discuss the psychological impacts of current global events). This event will be held in Morrison Lounge from 2-3:30 p.m.

October 7, 2024 (students, faculty, and staff) - October 7th Remembrance Events

The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) welcomes Occidental students, faculty, and staff to participate in several events focused on healing, peace, and community as we mourn the tragic loss of life in the horrific attack in Israel and the ongoing devastation in Palestine, Lebanon and the region.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a labyrinth will be available in Herrick Chapel for all campus community members to engage in peaceful meditation and individual reflection. ORSL staff will provide written prayers from different religious and spiritual traditions to those who would prefer to pray as they walk the labyrinth. Individuals are also invited to stop by the Chapel during this time frame to engage in prayer and/or personal reflection. At 12:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. Susan Young, Director for Religious and Spiritual Life, will host a candle lighting ceremony and moment of prayer.

From 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Ben Greenberg, Associate Director for Jewish Student Life, will facilitate a space centering Jewish students, faculty, and staff in Lower Herrick.

At 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Tariq Ali, Muslim Student Life Coordinator, will hold a communal space centering Muslim students, faculty, and staff in the JSC Commons. Alejandro Aguirre, Director of Counseling Services for Emmons Wellness Center, will be available to support students at both communal holding spaces.

September 30, 2024 (students) - Facing Islamophobia: Unveiling Bias, Empowering Change
This presentation will be led by Marium Mohiuddin and its goal is to educate students about the roots, manifestations, and consequences of Islamophobia, particularly in academic settings. The presentation aims to foster understanding, encourage empathy, and empower students to recognize and challenge anti-Muslim discrimination in their daily lives and on campus. Presentation will include the following topics:
● Definition of Islamophobia
● Historical Context
● Forms of Islamophobia
● Islamophobia in the Current Climate
● Social Impact of Islamophobia
● Tools for Combating Islamophobia
● Call to Action
● Personal Responsibility: Encourage audience members to reflect on their own biases, challenge stereotypes, and speak out against Islamophobia

September 30, 2024 - 
This opportunity is one of 's many free bystander intervention webinars that are open to the general public, which was also offered as a live-listening session for students at the Intercultural Community Center.

September 26, 2024 (students) - Nurturing Allyship: Explaining Antisemitism and Jewish Identity
will lead this program for students, exploring the historical context of antisemitism as a systemic bigotry, what it is, and how it works Students will leave with an understanding of anti-Jewish themes and how antisemitism operates, as well as a greater capacity to help others recognize the complex identities and lived experiences of the Jewish people and the skills to identify anti-Jewish language, ideas, and harm.

September 26, 2024 -
This opportunity is one of 's many free bystander intervention webinars that are open to the general public, which was also offered as a live-listening session for students at the Intercultural Community Center. 

Spring 2024

March 6, 2024 (faculty and staff) - Addressing and Challenging Bias on Campus
Nick Daily will lead this session for the ɫ��� Community and will explore relevant history and contemporary bias dynamics within the U.S. education system, engage in personal identity development and reflection, and can apply these learnings to the ɫ��� Community past, present, and future. Additional details and registration information will be shared at a later date.

February 13, 2024 - Challenging Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Zack Ritter, Ph.D., and Marium Mohiuddin will lead this in-person opportunity for ɫ��� students to gain an understanding of the historic antecedents of misunderstandings and myths directed toward Muslim and Jewish folks. Participants will also gain clarity around not only the histories of anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate, but tools and techniques for disrupting Islamophobic and Antisemitic behaviors. Additional details and registration information will be shared at a later date.

January 17, 2024 -
This opportunity is one of 's many free bystander intervention webinars that are open to the general public.

January 25, 2024 -
This opportunity is one of 's many free bystander intervention webinars that are open to the general public.

January 25, 2024 - Listening Session
This facilitated listening session creates an important opportunity for community dialogue. Registration links have been shared directly with students, faculty and staff.

January 26, 2024 -
This opportunity is one of 's many free bystander intervention webinars that are open to the general public.

January 26, 2024 - Listening Session
This facilitated listening session creates an important opportunity for community dialogue. Registration links have been shared directly with students, faculty and staff.