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UW-Oshkosh event ‘focus’ on everyone but heterosexual white males

‘Focus is on Leadership Development for students who self-identify as Multicultural (Asian/South Asian/Hmong, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American, Latino/a/x/e/Hispanic), Womxn, and/or LGBTQIA2S+’

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is hosting a leadership event this Saturday that is targeted at all students except straight white males.

The “focus” of the Catalyst “Leadership Development” event is “for students who self-identify as Multicultural (Asian/South Asian/Hmong, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American, Latino/a/x/e/Hispanic), Womxn, and/or LGBTQIA2S+.”

However, another part of the sign-up form says all UWO students are allowed to register. “This opportunity is open for all UWO students registered for the Spring 2024 semester.”

Similar language about “all UWO students” is not found on the listing by the Women’s Center, which is under the university’s Campus Center for Equity and Diversity. The event is hosted by the Center for Student Success and Belonging.

That listing states:

What is the Catalyst Leadership Program? Focus is on Leadership Development for students who self-identify as Multicultural (Asian/South Asian/Hmong, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American, Latino/a/x/e/Hispanic), Womxn, and/or LGBTQIA2S+.

Catalyst™ is a one-day program focused on learning to develop your own authentic path, connect to groups and causes you care about, and commit to a plan to be a catalyst for yourself and the groups you’re part of. This program is designed to start something extraordinary.

In small-group dialogue, large group interaction, and personal reflection, you’ll learn alongside others who also want to start something extraordinary. You’ll consider powerful questions that move you towards action: Am I on the right path? Who do I want to be? How can I connect with other like-minded individuals? This conference is limited to 60 participants. Those who register after the first 60 will be put on a waiting list. Register now to secure your place!

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs in the UW system have come under scrutiny from Republican state leaders. University leaders accepted $800 million in increased funding in exchange for reducing DEI programming and staff, as previously reported by The College Fix. The money will go to pay raises and a new engineering building for the flagship UW-Madison campus.

“Mandatory DEI statements in admissions and hiring are also to be abolished under the deal, and efforts to fund a conservative professorship at UW-Madison must be launched,” The Fix previously reported.

Universities have faced criticism, and sometimes federal investigations, for creating events that either explicitly exclude white students, or at least facially appear to dissuade their participation. This includes a scholarship program at the University at Buffalo, a New York University “anti-racist” workshop, and three events at Pacific University.

MORE: Whites-only space at Brandeis draws federal complaint

IMAGE: Rich Vintage/Getty Images

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About the Author
Associate Editor
Matt has previously worked at Students for Life of America, Students for Life Action and Turning Point USA. While in college, he wrote for The College Fix as well as his college newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix. He previously interned for government watchdog group Open the Books. He holds a B.A. from Loyola University-Chicago and an M.A. from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He lives in northwest Indiana with his family.