INTERGROUP RELATIONS (IGR)

As an Augustinian Catholic institution, Villanova University is committed to cultivating an academic environment marked by genuine curiosity about different perspectives, ardent receptivity to knowledge generated through intercultural connections and a genuine sensitivity to the variety of human experiences marked by domestic and global differences.

Intergroup Relations (IGR) is an educational experience about issues of social justice. Introduced at Villanova in 2010, this innovative program teaches students, faculty and staff to create meaningful relationships and dialogue among people from different social, economic, racial and ethnic groups.

IGR is developed on the core belief that it is only through a process of sustained and meaningful dialogue that people will understand one another better through cultural misunderstandings and personal differences. Topics examined as part of IGR programming include gender, socioeconomic status, religion/faith, race, sexual orientation and ability.

Through self-reflection, identity exploration and other experiential educational tools, participants learn how our everyday language, social rituals and casual conversations can lead to such problematic behaviors as stereotyping, cross-cultural mistrust and misunderstanding. Participants also learn how social structures such as schools, neighborhoods, media representation and social institutions play a role in allocating privilege and sustaining societal inequities.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Program on Intergroup Relations is to engage the Villanova community in deep and meaningful dialogue about identity that informs understanding, mutual respect and empowers all members to enact social justice at Villanova and beyond.

Our Vision:

An inclusive community where members engage freely with one another across different identities in the pursuit of mutual understanding and social justice.

Our Values:

We value an honest and inclusive environment where compassionate relationships are treasured and individual and collective talents are translated into praxis. This is accomplished by:

• A commitment to upholding community guidelines;
• Remaining grounded in academic theories of social justice and communication;
• A recognition that each dialogic interaction creates new meaning; and,
• Using our collective wisdom to maintain integrity and accountability for our words and actions.

BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosts regular opportunities for faculty, staff and students to engage in dialogue about current events related to equity and justice on campus and in society.

Participants are encouraged to engage in conversation about how we can create a more socially just and inclusive campus community within our classes, departments and offices by understanding several key current issues. Recent discussions have focused on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “The Case for Reparations” and Robin DeAngelo’s "White Fragility."

Email the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for more information.

IGR FACILITATORS

Trained faculty and staff from throughout the University serve as IGR Facilitators.

These trained co-facilitators work together to create a comfortable and open classroom environment, channel students towards working together across difference, monitor the dynamics of the group and move through the various phases of dialogue

Selected through a rigorous application process and thoroughly trained and evaluated, IGR facilitators must have:

• A deep understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Experience working with diverse and underrepresented populations of students
• Experience teaching about or facilitating diversity related topics