Mary Cable Social Justice Center

Background

The center, located at the Campus Apartments on the Riverwalk in Walker House 165, is named after Mary Ellen Cable (1862 – 1944), one of the most influential African-American educators in Indianapolis. She taught in IPS Schools 4, 19, 23, 24, and 40, and was supervising Principal at School Number 4 until her retirement. During her career she trained 61 teachers, and at the time of her death, five were IPS Principals. She was active in Bethel AME Church, Sigma Gamma Rho, served as the president of the Colored Women's Civic Club, and organized Indiana's first NAACP chapter, serving as its first president. Cable lived at 423 West Street, what is now the eastern edge of the IUPUI campus.

Social Justice Advocates

The Social Justice Advocates are undergraduate students who serve as social justice resource providers for our staff and students. The SJA's serve as our leaders in the area of social justice and their role is educate our residents, promote unity, provide support, and bring awareness to the social justice issues that impact both our residential and campus community.

The SJA's work out of the MCSJC located at the Campus Apartments on the Riverwalk in Walker House 165.

The Network

The Network, formerly known as Woman to Woman, was established by Tralicia Powell Lewis in 1997 to provide women of color who live in Housing and Residence Life an opportunity to connect with each other and develop relationships with successful women on campus and in the community. Mrs. Powell Lewis was the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life from 1995-2007, and she established The Network in part to ensure that women from under-represented populations were successful at IUPUI. Mrs. Powell Lewis now serves as the Director of The Office of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct at IUPUI.

The Network planning committee is currently comprised of undergraduate, graduate, and professional staff members who plan programs designed to bring women of color together to discuss college adjustment and social issues. In 2008, The Network expanded to work with men from under-represented populations as well. All students are invited to participate in The Network events and our goal is to make sure all students feel supported, valued, and respected.

Mission

The Mary Cable Social Justice Center (MCSJC) is an integral program within the Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL) and is a partnership between HRL, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Student Involvement. The mission of the MCSJC is to provide students living on campus with resources and programs that expand their understanding of social justice and diversity issues. The MCSJC helps students broaden their awareness and understanding of social justice issues, especially as it pertains to cultural, racial and ethnic diversity both locally and globally. Social Justice, as it relates to Housing and Residence Life, is defined as providing each resident a living environment where all students share an equal voice and are afforded the opportunity to participate and fully engage in our programs. The MCSJC is the mechanism to ensure our mission becomes a reality for all of our students.

Vision

To ensure all students are valued and are granted equal community membership.

Values

• Promoting understanding between all students that leads to appreciation and celebration of differences.
• Making sure that residents know that everyone living on campus matters and is important.
• Educating students and staff about Social Justice and Social Justice Issues that affect both our residential and IUPUI community.
• Reaching out to students from populations that are underrepresented at IUPUI.
• Providing programming opportunities that challenge both students and staff to broaden their perspectives about those who differ from them.

Social Justice Education is important for college students to learn. People tend to turn a blind eye to what goes on in our world, though we need to be aware of what others deal with. I hope that through Social Justice Programming in housing and residence life we are able to help our residents be conscious of what their fellow residents may be going through.