The University of Vermont held a three-day retreat over the weekend specifically for white students so that they could learn how to recognize their own white privilege and how that privilege impacts the community.

“Examining White Privilege: A Retreat for Undergraduate Students Who Self-Identify as White” was a free retreat for students that took place Nov. 13-15 at the Common Ground Family Center in Starksboro, Campus Reform reported.

According to its description on the university website, the event was “specifically for white students to engage in building a stronger and inclusive campus community.”

“Students will have the opportunity to conceptualize and articulate whiteness from a personal and systematic lens,” as well as “recognize and understand white privilege from an individual experience,” the event page states. Students would also be given tools to understand the “impact of white privilege on the UVM community and beyond,” and help “build a community of dialogue and support in taking action against racism.”

“We will explore questions like: What does it mean to be white? How does whiteness impact you? What action steps can you take individually to interrupt racism? How can we make UVM a more inclusive community?” the description goes on.

The event page also features rave reviews from past attendees of the retreat.

“I enjoyed the Examining White Privilege retreat because it provided a safe space to learn about yourself and others and how we experience and understand privilege and systems of oppression,” said student Cora Churchill.

“EWPR gave me the chance to explore my own identities more deeply, to learn more about systems of privilege and oppression, and to connect with other students who are interested in discussing social justice and working to create change here on our campus,” added student Emily Howe.

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