Our beloved Sister, Friend, Colleague, and Mentor.

Dr. McKay dedicated her life to truth-telling, justice, and liberation. She was a fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, a fearless scholar-activist, and a radiant force for social change and antiracism. Her voice challenged inequity, and her compassion built community. We invite everyone to carry her spirit forward in your actions, your advocacy, and your storytelling. Share the ways she touched your life and continue her legacy of courage, connection and solidarity. The Campus Community is invited to gather for a live viewing of the memorial service.

To learn more about Dr. McKay’s life, legacy, and ways to honor her memory, visit the full tribute page.

The Institutional Equity & Belonging team wishes everyone a safe and peaceful close to the fall semester. While campus notably slows during Block 4, the world beyond remains active. This newsletter is a space to share resources, protocols, and policies related to national events -such as past executive orders, the impact of the government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement, and ongoing changes affecting international students and scholars. Below are resources related to these topics, along with new updates in the body of this letter.

 Protecting Your Privacy Email

 Colorado Immigration Attorneys (there are more in the folder)

 Guidance on Federal Changes Regarding Gender Identity

Travel Guidance

CC Sponsored Trips Policy

 Know Your Rights Information

Past Belonging Newsletters

For many, this is a difficult time. Please keep in mind that the Counseling Center remains available to students for routine and immediate appointments. Additionally, 24/7 employee mental health crisis support, and ongoing therapy is available to all through UWill which includes wellness resources and even nutritional guidance. Finally, the national Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988. 

We continue to migrate these resources to our Institutional Equity & Belonging webpage for easier access, but for the time being, you can find these resources and more in the Resources channel folders of the Belonging@CC MS Team.  I hope you can find pockets of rest, connection, and clarity amidst the turbulence. IEB remains here to support you and help you navigate whatever comes next. May the coming weeks bring you steadier ground and the companionship of a community that looks out for one another.

In Solidarity,

Rosalie

The U.S. government shutdown has ended, however many in our community are experiencing continued impacts including job losses, reduced family income, and disruptions to essential benefits. Although Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments have resumed, food pantries have depleted many of their resources. During this time, it is important to remain mindful of how these challenges may affect our students and colleagues and to share available resources widely. If you are able, consider donating to one of our many community partners who provide these essential resources. Anyone can use this inexhaustive list of community food resources for locations that provide assistance or that could use your help.

Students can also access the CC Pantry Exchange in person or ask for emergency assistance by emailing emergencyresources@coloradocollege.edu. CCSGA offers the Pass-A-Meal program, where students with meal plans can donate a meal at Rastall check-in, and students needing a meal can request a Pass-A-Meal voucher at the Worner Desk.

The International People and Practices subcommittee continues to stay abreast of changes in the international landscape. Last week, The Supreme Court voted to allow President Trump to proceed with his plan to require that passport applicants list their sex as what was designated on their birth certificate. The court's decision overturns a lower court order pausing Trump's policy and allowing applicants to choose for themselves whether they would like to identify with an M for male, F for female, or an X for neither. You can read more about the case at NPR.org and refer to CC’s previous guidance on this topic.   

We remind all members of our community to know your rights while traveling within the U.S. and abroad. This guidance from the National Immigration Law Center is a useful tool, and you can find the recommended Know Your Rights Cards in the IEB office in Worner, room 234.  

 If you are in the process of applying for a passport it is essential that you check the State Department for current regulations and reach out to the Center for Global Education and Field Study for questions on CC-related travel.

UCHealth Interpreter and Language Services

Did you know that you can request to have your doctor’s appointment be conducted in your first language for free? You can request a free interpreter for your doctor’s appointment in your preferred language, including ASL. UCHealth offers qualified medical interpreters via video or phone 24/7 for patients and family members with limited English proficiency, or who are deaf. It’s best to request an interpreter when scheduling, but walk-ins can also be accommodated.

UCHealth Interpreter and Language Services can help you translate informed consent documents into the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Burmese, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese traditional and simplified, Chuukese, Farsi/Persian, French, German, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ibo, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Kru/Bassa, Marshallese, Nepali, Oromo/Cushite, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Rohingya, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Yiddish.

For questions or concerns about linguistic access on campus, please contact Dr. Chelsea Walter, Ph.D., Director, Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education.

The Indigenous Garden in partnership with The Chaplain’s Office, NASU, and Debbie Howell, our Elder-in-Residence, to grow sage and sweetgrass. We are grateful for this tract of land that honors tradition and connection. Thank you to those of you who joined us in Block 3 to tend the garden. and to Grounds for lending gardening tools. We hope you will join us for a future gardening opportunity.

A group photo taken commemorating collective efforts in maintaining the Indigenous Garden (2023).

Participants gather following a garden care session  in the Indigenous Garden adjacent to Shove Chapel (2025).

The Rag is Back.

From our friends in Feminist and Gender Studies: “‘The Rag, CC’s student-run feminist and counter-cultural zine, is officially back and ready for submissions for our first edition! Although the submission deadline for the first issue just passed, please consider submitting for future issues.” They are looking for “honest, messy, radical, reflective, and creative work from students, staff, and faculty across campus. This is a space to explore feminist ideas, critical thought, personal experience, politics, and art, all outside of traditional academic constraints.” Find out more.

Destination Rest

Thank you to those you joined us for Destination Rest during our Block 2 Block Break. Facilitators Ashley Cornelius, Sam Paulin, and Mallory Everhart created an environment in the FAC’s Loo Family Gallery, where we shared and connected over our relationship to rest in a productivity-centric world.

Legal Defense Fund

TMI offers a competitive, paid summer fellowship ($6,000) for undergraduate students from CC, Columbia, Harvard, and Howard to engage in social justice research with the nation’s leading civil and human rights legal advocacy organization. Fellows will support LDF’s racial justice mission through interdisciplinary social science research and should be creative, forward-thinking problem solvers with an interest in civil rights litigation and policy. Placements are available in NYC, Atlanta, or Washington, D.C., and while not guaranteed, this is an exclusive and notable opportunity for CC students. Applications should be emailed to interns@naacpldf.org, and interested students should contact Sarah Fillman before applying. A virtual info session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2-3 p.m. MT.

Need something to read over the Fall and Winter Breaks? Noor, our Spring semester selection has arrived at the bookstore. Pick up your copy and look out for Antiracist Book Club MS Team next semester! Noor is a science fiction novel set in near future Nigeria. Through characters, time, and setting, Okorafor creates a world in which biotechnology, disability, gender, and capitalism converge and allows the reader to reflect on humanity and our collective future. Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning New York Times Bestselling writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. If you have proposals or ideas for programming, connect with nrios@coloradocollege.edu.

Sense of Place: Indigenous Star Stories with Elder Debbie

Friday, Dec. 5–Saturday Dec. 6, Baca Campus, Crestone, CO

Join us to enrich your relationship with the night sky, to one another, and to deepen your knowledge of Native astronomy. Led by Elder Debbie Howell, we will learn about Skidi Pawnee star stories and the human connection to the stars.

Festival of Lights

Saturday, Dec. 6

We will be gathering as a campus community to attend Colorado Spring’s 41st Annual Festival of Lights Parade. Keep an eye on more details which are forthcoming.

Smudging Ceremony

Thursday, Nov. 20, at 12:15 p.m.

Join us by the tipi by the main entrance of Tutt Library for a smudging ceremony led by Lee Plenty Wolf of the Oglala Lakota Nation.

IEB offers up to $250 in co-sponsorship funding for campus events that promote equity and justice. Departments, offices, student groups, and athletic teams may apply by submitting the request form with required materials. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions issued within two weeks. Funded events must acknowledge IEB’s support in all communications and include the IEB logo on promotional materials. For questions, contact the Office of IEB directly or refer to this form.

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903