The Center for Racial and Restorative Justice, a clearinghouse for research, scholarship, advocacy and action, aims to educate students and our communities about the history of race in America and the barriers to upward mobility for people of color in areas such as education, criminal justice, health care, commerce, and housing.

Through a multipronged approach, the center will ensure that UW-Eau Claire is preparing graduates for life in a truly changing landscape. Understanding the concepts of race, justice, equity, equality, restorative justice, and critical identity theories will help our graduates stand above their counterparts as well as become leaders in ongoing social and cultural change.

Strategic goals for the center

The center’s approach to preparing graduates for life has several strategic goals as its centerpiece for social and cultural change:

• Provide a space for research on race to advance and enhance a comprehensive UW-Eau Claire education.
• Develop a body of research, scholarship, advocacy, and action regarding Indigenous Peoples.
• Present speakers, researchers, and practitioners on the topics of race.
• Coordinate, develop, and implement university-wide trainings, workshops, and engagement opportunities to enhance critical understandings of race and justice.
• Secure funding to support strategic and operational initiatives that advance the impact of the center.
• Provide opportunities for student engagement to create sustainable change.
• Sponsor mentoring and professional development opportunities for students of color to ensure they are prepared for success and leadership in various settings.

Racing Toward Justice

“Racing Toward Justice” is a priority program of the Center for Racial and Restorative Justice. The program features speakers on topics of race and social injustice and provides micro grants for student programs or initiatives committed to advancing racial justice. 

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Meet Our Team

Restorative Justice on a Campus

Here is an example of a three-tier model of restorative justice as a whole campus practice:

Tier One: Build and Strengthen Relationships 

•  Community-Building Circles 

• • Who are we? 

  • What are our stories? 

  • What are our core values? 

  • What is important to us? 

  • What kind of community do we want? 

  • How do we want to treat each other? 

  • How will we all contribute? 

• Community-Concern Circles 

Tier Two: Respond to Conflict and Harm

Restorative Conferences 

• • What happened? 

  • Who has been impacted? In what way? 

  • What are the harms to be addressed? 

  • What needs do we have? 

  • What will make things right? 

  • How do we rebuild relationships? 

  • How do we address this in a restorative way? 

Tier Three: Support Reentry

• Circles of Support and Accountability  

• • How do we support this individual? 

  • How do we support harmed parties? 

  • Has the individual taken responsibility? 

  • How do we prevent recurrence? 

  • How will we welcome this person back? 

  • What resources do we need for successful reintegration?