College offers free certification in 'social justice work'

Franklin College is offering a free “Social Justice Certificate Program” to help students, employees, and alumni develop the skills to become an “effective advocate for social justice.”

“The Social Justice Certificate helps participants develop tools necessary for advancing social justice in various aspects of their personal and professional lives,” the school states on its website, elaborating that “The certificate series offers a theoretical framework for understanding issues of social justice, helps participants develop the skills necessary for social justice work and gives participants direct experience communicating across differences.”

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The certificate training program is “free of charge” and is open to “students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” according to the website, which lists nine workshops offered throughout the 2017-2018 school year, including sessions on “Race, Racism & Privilege,” a discussion of “Leadership in the Context of Social Justice,” and two “Safe Zone” training sessions exploring issues faced by the "LGBTQIA" community.

Each session is led by a faculty member and takes one hour to complete, except for the Safe Zone trainings, which last for two hours but have no moderator listed.

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One workshop—”What is Social Justice and How can I be an Ally in the Work?”—endeavors to explore “how it’s possible, and why it’s necessary, to work toward access, inclusion, and support for marginalized and underrepresented students, faculty, staff, and community members, and for greater equity in all parts of our institution—even from our positions of privilege.”

The Social Justice Certificate Program is sponsored jointly by the Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the Student Affairs Social Justice Committee, information regarding which could not be found on the school’s website.

Spokespersons for Franklin College declined Campus Reform’s request for a phone interview to discuss details of the certificate program.

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