WesDEF (the Wesleyan Diversity Education Facilitation Program) is a student group founded in 2005 that leads anti-oppression conversation workshops. WesDEFs train throughout the year for their roles as community facilitators and educators. Every first year residential hall has WesDEF facilitators who will lead monthly workshops on social justice issues.
WesDEF workshops could include a discussion of classism and the Anonymous Confession Board or a poetry exercise about the meaning of home or an activity exploring the presence of institutional racism in our community. All workshops provide an opportunity for critical dialogue about the impact of oppression at Wesleyan and in society.
The purpose of WesDEF workshops is not to provide answers but to incite questions and to provide participants with the knowledge and tools for further personal exploration and social awareness. The WesDEF program aims to act as a resource for the Wesleyan community, developing space for social justice work, dialogue and understanding. Support, guidance and funding come from the Offices of Residential Life, Student Activities and Leadership Development, and Diversity and Strategic Partnerships.