Photo: 2012-13 SCOPES having a little acrobatic fun at their Fall Training Retreat

Kaleidoscope Application 2013-14

Request a Kaleidoscope Workshop

Vision Statement:

Kaleidoscope envisions an inclusive, equitable and just world.

Mission Statement:

To foster greater social justice awareness and facilitate intercultural conversation within our communities.

What is it?

Kaleidoscope encourages students to take an active role in promoting intercultural exchange and exploring issues of multiculturalism, equity and social justice. Through the facilitation of critical conversations, Kaleidoscope leaders are uniquely poised among their peers to raise awareness, promote inclusiveness and prompt genuine celebration of differences across campus. The program challenges student educators and peer participants to think critically about their communities.

How does it work?

Student Coordinators of Peer Education (SCOPEs) are invited into various spaces on campus to facilitate in-depth dialogue on a particular social justice related topic. Residence hall floors, fraternity and sorority houses, student organizations, athletic teams and other groups on campus identify topics that they would like to discuss and request a Kaleidoscope program that is tailored to meet their needs. There is a foundational program called “Social Justice 101″ which must be experienced prior to requests for other programs focused on race, religion, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status or other identity groups.

What are the learning outcomes?

For SCOPES

Through active participation in the Kaleidoscope program, facilitators are able to:

• indicate their individual and group identities
• explain key social justice concepts
• design effective presentations
• demonstrate leadership skills

For Participants

Through active engagement in a Kaleidoscope presentation, participants are able to:

• recall key social justice concepts
• give examples of power and privilege in society
• outline personal goals for further development of multicultural competence

How are scopes selected?

Each spring semester, the Lafayette community is asked to recommend dynamic students who have the intellectual capacity, leadership potential and demonstrated commitment to advancing social justice to become SCOPEs with the Kaleidoscope program. Students who are recommended by faculty, staff and other students attend information sessions, submit applications and go through an intensive interview process before being selected for the prestigious team. SCOPEs are trained at the beginning of each fall semester and participate in ongoing development to understand the complexities of a range of diversity issues. They are also trained in facilitation and leadership skills. If you wish to nominate a student for this opportunity, please contact the Office of Intercultural Development.