OPIRG (York University)
 
DIS/ORIENTATION 2008
 
Dis/Orientation is a radically different, politically progressive, alternative
to frosh that will offer new (and old) students access and insight into the
exciting political and social justice spheres that exist at York University. By
bringing together a wide range of campus groups and services, we are trying to
draw the links between the many different kinds of political, environmental and
social justice based activism that exists on campus.
 
In the last few years it has become more and more difficult to organize social
justice events at York University. We face growing alienation to our campus as
the administration makes it prohibitive to book space and student groups face
fines for unsanctioned use of University space like Vari Hall. This is in
addition to creation and implementation of the student code of conduct,
intimidation and targeting of student activists by the administration and
security and the ongoing corporatization of our campus.
 
In this climate, we felt that a pertinent theme for this year’s Dis/Orientation
is “Taking Back Our Campus!” It is a chance for us, as members of the York
community, to examine important issues around various types of accessibility,
political dissent and social change. The focus is on confronting racism,
imperialism, sexism, hetereosexism, classism and other oppressive forces, in
addition to challenging the ongoing corporatization of campus, the limitations
on free expression, and the rampant sexual assaults and violence that have
recently taken place at York. We aim to draw attention to the ways that these
oppressive influences affect our daily lives and how we can make viable and
lasting change on campus, as well as on local and global levels.
 
Dis/Orientation  is not a single issue event, instead we are attempting to get
students involved in work that interests them through diverse activities such
as workshops, skills building, movie screenings, meet-and-greets, scavenger
hunts and parties.
 
We are committed to anti-oppression politics and strive to raise awareness and
educate at all our events. We are committed to work that deals explicitly with,
and confronts, racism, imperialism, colonialism, sexism, misogyny, heterosexism,
classism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia.
 
NEWS and EVENTS:

Dis/Orientation Planning Session

2:30pm-4pm, Room 313
Student Centre, Keele Campus

To submit a workshop and event proposal, please download and fill out the form:

“Dis/Orientation Proposal”http://www.google.ca/shapeimage_2_link_0