Following the U.S. election, the Restorative Justice Committee, Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) partnered to create discussion spaces for student voices. 

Facilitated by the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), join us in a supportive space to proces and dialogue around the election in a post-inauguration time.

This space will be offered in-person and it is designed for students to listen and learn from one another in a meaningful way. Reach out to getinvolved@ucsd.edu with any questions.

Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Price Center East - The Forum
Contact: getinvolved@ucsd.edu 

Let Your Feelings & Hope Take Flight - 1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace 2.0

The Craft Center will work with students, campus partners, and community partners to facilitate an art project centered on healing, restoration, and joy. The origami paper crane project offers opportunities for us all to be in community through challenging times to heal and hope for a future of peace. With many historical and cultural roots in the peace movement globally, cranes are symbolic of hope, transformation, and wishes for longevity, well-being, and resilience.

Contribute to our community installation symbolic of hope and healing by expressing your thoughts and feelings. All emotions are valid and we can also have an array of feelings. The very process of making art and of writing down your thoughts and feelings can be therapeutic. 

Your messages will live on and be transformed along with all the cranes into hand-made paper for future community art projects at the Craft Center. Follow the Craft Center on social media for more information on these offerings and on our cranes’ continued journey.

WHEN & WHERE

September 24 – 27

• September 24 noon – 2 p.m. at the Craft Center
• September 25 noon – 2 p.m. at the Craft Center
• September 26 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Celebrate the Arts event at KAHNOP – TO TELL A STORY (Ann Hamilton Concordia installation)
• September 27 noon – 12 p.m. on Sun God Lawn

Roxane Gay is coming to UC San Diego! The New York Times Bestselling author wrote a book chapter included in “American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures” by America Ferrera, which is the Common Read this fall for UC San Diego. The author will be at the Epstein Family Amphitheatre on Monday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the event page.

“Life begins with an inhale and ends with an exhale. In-between we all breathe and live different lives. And yet, each breath keeps us together, connected, sharing the same air. ” Jeppe Hein

“Breathe with Me” by Jeppe Hein is a multi-day public art and breathing project focusing on mental health, mindfulness and community. This Stuart Collection initiative, presented in partnership with the Campus Performances and Events Office, and in coordination with Tritons Belong, is available, free of cost, to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local community.

 “Breathe With Me” emphasizes the importance of slowing down, centering ourselves, and recognizing the significance of mental health and self-awareness in our daily lives. As a tool for promoting understanding and compassion, "Breathe with Me" provides a space for individuals to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others. By connecting breathwork with artistic expression, participants are encouraged to be more present, reflective, and empathetic. 

 The communal nature of the event promotes unity, as people from different backgrounds and experiences come together, realizing that despite our differences, we all share the essential human experience of breathing. In this way, "Breathe with Me" goes beyond being just an art project—it becomes a platform for cultivating compassion and fostering connection in the community. Join us:

• Thursday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m
• Friday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m
• Saturday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Common Read - Our inaugural Common Read selection is American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, edited by America Ferrera. Look for “Triton Like Me” pop-up art events on October 7th which will feature the Craft Center’s portrait project. Tritons will be invited to create a multi-media self portrait and then take a copy and leave a copy.

Triton Like Me: Portraits of Us

Monday, October 7 | 3:30-6:30 PM
Town Square

Build community with your fellow Tritons as you create a symbolic self-portrait and contribute to a collaborative UC San Diego quilt.

Supplies and sweet treats from around the world provided. Just bring yourself and your creativity!

There will be tables set up, food provided, and conversation starters that are connected to the themes in our Common Read selection for 2024-25, American Like Me.

Free for students, faculty, and staff.

• Portraits of Us will take place at multiple occasions throughout the year

The Longest Table at UC San Diego was a 300-foot-long table that will span the length of Library Walk – with the goal of building community and a sense of belonging.

All Tritons were invited to share a multicultural meal at the communal table, while enjoying a variety of live entertainment, activities, and engaging conversation.

The expansive table was dressed with a tablecloth-meets-art-project, created in the weeks leading up to the Longest Table event by community members.

The Longest Table was hosted by Health Promotional Services in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Campus Performance & Events Office, The Craft Center, and Housing, Dining, and Hospitality.

For questions about the event, contact Colleen Kollar Smith, Executive Director of the Campus Performance and Events Office, at colleen@ucsd.edu.

The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) facilitated an online training for campus leaders on the background of the OCR, a university’s legal obligations under Title VI, and examples of OCR investigations of complaints alleging discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. Attorneys Dr. Michael Chang and Maria Asturias shared resources on how the OCR can support campus leaders through these difficult times on U.S. campuses.

Presenters: 
Michael Chang, Ph.D., J.D., Staff Attorney
Maria Asturias, J.D., Senior Attorney

• Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics

• Dear Colleague Letter on Discrimination, including Harassment, Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics (November 7, 2023)

•  Dear Colleague Letter on Race and School Programming (August 2023)

• Addressing Discrimination Against Jewish Students Dear Colleague Letter (May 25, 2023)

• Protecting Students from Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics (January 2023)

Art for Healing and Restoration: Through challenging times, it’s important to be in community to heal and hope for peace.

Open to All Community Members
Noon – 2 p.m., May 28 – June 6
Tuesdays at the EFA Farmers' Market
Thursdays at the Craft Center

You're Invited.
Join us in creating traditional Japanese origami cranes with messages of peace attached. You’re welcome to keep your beautiful creation or you can contribute it towards a final installation to be displayed in a prominent location on-campus.

Why Paper Cranes?
Origami cranes are a symbol of hope, healing, and resilience. Traditionally, 1000 paper cranes are believed to grant a wish.