University Of Oregon To Host Dreamer Ally Training Sessions In February
Registration is now open for the UO Dreamers Working Group annual Dreamer ally training Feb. 3 and 10. The training is open to UO faculty members and staff and will be offered in a hybrid format.
The Dreamers Working Group is comprised of faculty members and staff at the University of Oregon who are dedicated to creating an “undocu-friendly” environment and improve the experiences of Dreamer students at the University of Oregon. Its mission is to foster the unique gifts and talents of Dreamer students at the UO and to promote their sense of belonging and safety as they pursue their higher education goals.
The training will provide an opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing UO students whose immigrant status is precarious or unresolved or those who have family members in that situation. The training will be in a two-part series with the first session occurring virtually Friday, Feb. 3, and the second in-person on Friday, Feb. 10. Attendees must attend both sessions to receive designation as a UO Dreamer ally.
The UO uses the term Dreamers to refer to students who may be undocumented, have tuition equity, hold an unresolved status such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or are from families with mixed immigration status.
The training will include interactive exercises and discussion, and it will present information on basic laws and policies affecting student Dreamers. Participants will learn about appropriate referral resources and what to do should immigration officers come to campus.
Participants will also receive guidance on how to effectively support Dreamers and will be asked to identify one or more positive changes that they and their unit can make to support Dreamers on campus.
“The Dreamers Working Group has trained at least 500 Dreamer allies at the UO,” said Justine Carpenter, assistant dean of students and the main contact on campus for Dreamer students. “The campus community has shown a genuine interest in helping to create a welcoming community for our Dreamer students. We’ve seen departments across campus make small changes that have had a big impact on the experience of our Dreamer students, so we want to continue the work.”
After completing the training session, participants will be given the opportunity to sign a pledge stating that they will provide needed discretion and support for Dreamers. They will receive a decal and pin designating them official “Dreamer Allies” to display by their desk or office.