Students of Color Retreat

Today is the final day to turn in applications for the fifth

annual Students of Color Retreat, which will be Oct. 18 in the

Durrell Center.

The retreat is designed, in part, to allow students the

opportunity to discuss issues that affect students of color and

help them realize that there are people out there dealing with the

same issues, said the retreat’s organizers.

“I think that it’s really important when you’re in a

predominantly white campus like this that you have an outlet for

students of color to feel safe and come together and learn about

one another and help bridge those gaps,” said Annalyn Cruz, lead

coordinator for the retreat and a graduate student in student

affairs in higher education.

As of Tuesday, the retreat had received about 80 student

applications and about 18 faculty members and administrators are

attending the retreat. Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez will also be

there.

“This is a great chance for (students of color) to network and

know that there is faculty and administrators who they can identify

with and relate to,” said Glenn DeGuzman, assistant director for

Campus Activities. “It really does provide an opportunity to get

out what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling.”

DeGuzman said two main aspects of this year’s retreat include

understanding affirmative action and working on collaboration

between various ethnic groups.

Nathan Castillo, a senior psychology major, attended the retreat

two years ago and was a student coordinator for it last year.

“What I get out of the retreat is that you’re not alone, that

other people do have the same experiences and viewpoints that you

have,” said Castillo, who will be a student coordinator for this

year’s retreat as well.

People who are interested in applying for the retreat can

contact Cruz through the Campus Activities Leadership and Diversity

Programs office at 491-0970. Students of any ethnicity are welcome

to apply.