Campus Groups
AWARE - Awakening to Whiteness and Racism Everywhere
The AWARE group is open to students, faculty, and staff who want to participate in a process towards unlearning racism, examining their experience of white social privilege, confronting histories of silence, shame, and complicity, and moving towards alliance-building with people of color for racial justice at CIIS and beyond. Out of respect for people of color, we are meeting as a caucus group of white people. We consider it very important that we don't impose on people of color the role of "teaching us how we are racist" or the need to care-take people who might be at various stages of their own consciousness around racism or oppression.
Contact: Maggie Burkle
CIIS Urban Permaculturists
CIIS students working to change the landscape of the urban environment. By actively participating in a relationship with the land around the SF Bay Area we move toward a move fulfilling way of life. This will allow us to more creatively express the nature of the emerging human consciousness.
Contact: Jim Dickas or Sean Kelly
Coniunctio
An Astrology Study Group dedicated to the support and growth of an astrological community of learners at CIIS, fostering an approach to the discipline of astrology which is creative, imaginative and intellectually rigorous. All knowledge and skill levels are welcomed in our topic-based approach, which emphasizes peer learning and mentoring. This will be a great way to connect with students of astrology at CIIS and access resources to further your studies.
Contact: Artemis Jones
Interdisciplinary Dialogue Group
To engage interdepartmental frameworks to address complex issues and ideas held by the various departments represented at CIIS. To expand upon specific academic training through multi/transdisciplinary problemsolving and inquiry.
Contact: Adam Robbert
Integral Ecology
To cultivate a CIIS-based community of inquiry and practice around the idea of Integral Ecology.
Contact: Elizabeth McAnally
International Students and Friends
International Students and Friends is created for the express purpose of providing peer support for the international student community, through organizing and hosting cultural and social events, as well as of raising awareness on campus about the specific needs of international graduate students. The campus group will also take part in creating social and cultural activities that will empower international students and create a support network. The international students group will also facilitate the International Playback Theater Company, which will creatively engage in international student stories and perform at different CIIS, and possibly Bay Area, events.
Contact: Jody O'Connor
Nierika Platform
Having the Axis Mundi or Cosmic Tree as its guiding symbol, Nierika Platform focuses on the vertical axis of education, on the trunk of the tree as it were, that uncovers a sort of deep embodied wisdom. Consequently, the mission of NierikaPlatform is to explore and engage in participatory learning by facilitating multiple ways of knowing from an intuitive, creative, and heart-centered perspective.
Contact: Adrian Villasenor-Galarza
People of Color Group
The People of Color Group is open to faculty, staff, and students of color. The group meets weekly to discuss issues of diversity at the Institute and to provide ongoing support to the community of color at CIIS. A major goal of the group is to promote cultural diversity and awareness in the CIIS community.
Contact: Atiba Rougier
Queer@CIIS Group
Queer@CIIS is a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex members of the CIIS community, and our allies. Our primary mission is to provide a safe and enthusiastic environment for all students, faculty and staff that supports, affirms, encourages, and empowers us in sharing our lives and goals more fully and openly into the community, thereby enhancing the richness and relevance of the CIIS educational experience. Our group produces exciting educational and social events to support, promote, and edify all students, as well as those in the community. We believe that inclusivity is a primary ingredient for discourse, and camaraderie. Your ideals, ideas, stories, and support are most welcome and encouraged.
Contact Lise Dyckman to be added to our private "Queer@CIIS" Listserv.
Student Alliance
Student Alliance is a student-run organization that facilitates communication, sponsors events, and allocates funding to help students and student groups actualize the seven institute ideals. Listening to student voices, we build alliances, cultivate student leadership, and advocate for social change and transformation of existing power structures.
Contact: Shirley Strong, (415) 575-6171 or studentalliance@ciis.edu
Theatre for Change
We are committed to using theatrical performance to give voice and representation to people of color; to open dialogue within the community on issues of race, racism, and equality; and to encourage our audience to fight inequality on a personal, institutional, and societal level.
Contact: Renee Emunah
Transformative Inquiry Distance Student Advisory Group (TIDSA)
TIDSA acts as an integrated and collaborative, sustainable voice for graduate students enrolled in all distance program within CIIS. Its mission is to coalesce and provide CIIS administration, community and faculty with an open-society based framework that allows the distance student to actively participate in, and support, the academic experience while at CIIS.
Contact: Frank Strona
UNITE!
To advocate for the building of alliances among diverse students To actively promote and work toward social justice and diversity goals at CIIS.
Contact: Elisa Haro
Zen Meditation Group
Giving the CIIS community an opportunity to explore meditation, relax, and ground ourselves at the beginning of the day.
Contact: Jared Michaels
