University of Vermont held a 'white privilege' retreat for students who 'self-identify as white'

  • The free program was hosted by the university's African, Latino, Asian, Native American and Bi/Multiracial Student Center (ALNA)
  • The retreat was aimed at answering questions such as 'What does it mean to be white?' and 'How does whiteness impact you?'
  •  'It’s a new retreat specifically for white students to engage in building a stronger and inclusive campus community,' ALANA stated on its website
  • The University of Vermont is 83.1 per cent white and costs over $37,000 a year for out of state residents  

The University of Vermont held a three day retreat for students who 'self-identify as white' to discuss the topic of 'white privilege.'

The free program entitled, 'Examining White Privilege: A Retreat for Undergraduate Students Who Self-Identify as White' took place over the weekend and was sponsored by the university's African, Latino, Asian, Native American and Bi/Multiracial Student Center (ALNA).

'It’s a new retreat specifically for white students to engage in building a stronger and inclusive campus community,' ALANA stated on its website of the desire to create an accepting environment for its students. The retreat was also focused on combating racism. 

White faces: The free program entitled, 'Examining White Privilege: A Retreat for Undergraduate Students Who Self-Identify as White' took this weekend and was sponsored by the university's African, Latino, Asian, Native American and Bi/Multiracial Student Center (ALNA). Pictured here is a photo from the ALNA website

White faces: The free program entitled, 'Examining White Privilege: A Retreat for Undergraduate Students Who Self-Identify as White' took this weekend and was sponsored by the university's African, Latino, Asian, Native American and Bi/Multiracial Student Center (ALNA). Pictured here is a photo from the ALNA website

The retreat held at the Common Ground family Center was aimed at answering questions such as 'What does it mean to be white?' and 'How does whiteness impact you?'

The center where the retreat was held advertises its use of solar energy and offers services such as civil unions and family reunions, reports Campus Reform.

ALANA posted testimonials from alumni who gave the white privilege retreat a positive review.

It was a 'great opportunity to talk about an identity that I had not previously felt equipped to comfortably discuss,' said one student who attended the retreat in the past.

'EWPR was a great opportunity to talk about an identity that I had not previously felt equipped to comfortably discuss,' sophomore Abby Freas said.

The university’s Center for Cultural Pluralism recommends the following books for retreat participants and other interested students: 'The Invention of the White Race,' 'White Privilege, Male Privilege in Race, Class, Gender,' 'The Feminist Classroom,' and 'The Abolition of Whiteness.'

The University of Vermont also holds a retreat for 'women of color' but the conversations are about building leadership as oppose to one's own privilege and the impact it has on society, Campus Reform stated.

According to the website College Factual, the University of Vermont  is 83.1 per cent white and tuition costs over $37,000 per year for out of state residents. 

Lack of diversity: According to the website College Factual, the University of Vermont is 83.1 per cent white and tuition costs over $37,000 per year for out of state residents

Lack of diversity: According to the website College Factual, the University of Vermont is 83.1 per cent white and tuition costs over $37,000 per year for out of state residents