The CIRCLE

In August 2020, the TCSA undertook a comprehensive review of our policies, training, advocacy, and community engagement practices to identify areas for improvement in supporting anti-racism initiatives and addressing the needs of our BIPOC and racialized members. As the seasons have evolved and the utilization of this space by BIPOC students has increased, it became clear that a change was necessary. The current name no longer resonates with students as it once did.

As of August 2024, we are pleased to announce that the Freedom Lounge will now be known as the CIRCLE, which stands for Culture, Inclusion, Rejoicing, Community, Lounge, Experience. This new designation reflects our commitment to providing a culturally safe, comfortable, and accountable space where students can build community, feel empowered, celebrate their lived experiences, and honor the diverse cultures and heritages present on our campus.

In this space, we are dedicated to engaging all students in initiatives that actively challenge and dismantle oppressive, racist, and colonial ideologies and practices. We invite students of all backgrounds to join us in uniting our community and learning from our history to ensure that we do not repeat past injustices.

Goals

  1. Create a safe space for BIPOC and Racialized students to create community, through social events, workshops, guest speakers, cook-outs, and other events.

  2. Connect BIPOC and Racialized students with resources, including, but not limited to: First Peoples House of Learning, Black Student Support, Peer Support, Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, Counselling Services, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (consent@trentu.ca), and Trent’s Racialized Counsellor, Chisomo (chisomomsosa@trentu.ca).

  3. Uplift and amplify the voices of our BIPOC and Racialized peers, through one-on-one advocacy, lobbying the university for anti-racist and de-colonial practices, and creating empowerment-based campaigns.

  4. Continually develop the space to meet the needs of our BIPOC and Racialized peers, through our commitment to the membership and by creating opportunities for feedback.

  5. Promote Intersectionality by acknowledging and addressing the diverse and overlapping identities of students. This ensures that the space and its initiatives are equitable and responsive to a full range of students' experiences.

  6. Foster Long-Term Institutional Change by advocating for, and contributing to, systemic changes within the university, which can lead to lasting improvements in equity and inclusion. This goal focuses on creating a sustainable impact beyond the immediate scope of the CIRCLE space.

CONTACT

Darien
CIRCLE Ambassador
circle@trentcentral.ca
(705) 748-1000