There are several retreats that support social change offered at Oregon State: Racial Aikido, Multiracial Aikido, International Student Social Justice Retreat, and Examining White Identity in a Multicultural World. As a partnership between Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL), Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Diversity & Cultural Engagement (DCE), Office of Institutional Diversity, and University Housing & Dining Services (UHDS), these weekend long retreats promote a campus dialogue about race and racism. Each of the retreats engage in the active exploration of the concept of race and how race influences our lived experiences and interactions.

Retreat dates from the 2019 - 2020 academic year are scheduled:

Multiracial Aikido: January 10th to January 12th, 2020

January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Examining White Identity: January 10th to January 12th, 2020

January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Racial Aikido: January 24th to January 26th, 2020

January 24th to January 26th, 2020 International Student Social Justice: January 31st to February 2nd, 2020

Racial Aikido Retreat

Racial Aikido seeks to empower students using the principles of aikido to recognize, respond, and replenish. Originally created at the University of Vermont, Racial Aikido acknowledges that certain communities-particularly communities that have experienced historical trauma due to racism may be ill prepared to deal with issues of race and racism as it affects them personally. Racial Aikido promotes tools to maintain a positive self-image and be able to respond to overt and covert racism.

By the conclusion of the retreat, you will have a better understanding of privilege, power and positionality, in-group and internalized oppression, identity development models, and be more self-aware of your multiple identities. You'll learn by active participation just how to recognize racism, respond to racism in a self-affirming and positive manner that is appropriate for the situation, and replenish by taking care of your needs in order to maintain a healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual self.

Multiracial Aikido

Multiracial Aikido (MRA) is founded on the principles and history of the Racial Aikido retreat. MRA explores systems of racial oppression and centers experiences of multiracial, multiethnic, transracial, and mixed heritage individuals.

We offer a supportive learning environment for participants to unpack racial and ethnic identity through storytelling and to build a community of peers and mentors who support their growth. We hope that by the end of the retreat participants will have found commonality in their various experiences and identify tools to navigate, heal, and make meaning as racialized beings in a U.S. context.

International Student Social Justice Retreat

The International Students’ Social Justice Retreat was launched at OSU in February 2016 in the spirit of initiating dialogue on issues of diversity, ethnicity, race, and nationality in the U.S., this retreat helps international students understand the socio-historical American narrative on race and ethnicity, and provides international students with skills to manage and disrupt discrimination based on their perceived identities.

Examining White Identity

The Examining White Identity (EWI) retreat creates a supportive learning environment for participants to examine their racial socialization, systems of racial oppression, and strategies and approaches for engaging in racial justice work as white people. We provide students with the space to practice skills in critical self-reflection, building community and coalition among diverse communities, and participating in anti-racist work.



Student Affairs is dedicated to principles of equity and social justice, and as such, all of our events and programs are inclusive to all who are committed to transformative learning.

Get Involved!

Interested in participating in any of these retreats? Please use the links below to sign-up!

Multiracial Aikido: January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Application

January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Examining White Identity: January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Application

January 10th to January 12th, 2020 Racial Aikido: January 24th to January 26th, 2020 Application

January 24th to January 26th, 2020 International Student Social Justice : January 31st to February 2nd, 2020 Application

: January 31st to February 2nd, 2020

Apply to participate by December 15th, 2019, for full consideration. Applications will be accepted until retreat capacity has been reached.

If you have questions, please visit our FAQs page or email sjretreats@oregonstate.edu