The BIPOC Department
What does ‘BIPOC’ mean?
BIPOC stands for Bla(ck), Indigenous, People of Colour. This definition includes but is not strictly limited to mixed-race or bi-racial people and people who are white-passing or have a proximity to whiteness.
What is the BIPOC Department and what do we do?
The BIPOC Department is an autonomous and non-political group that provides a community of support and solidarity for all people of colour at the ANU. Our Officer represents our interests in the ANU Student Representative Council and the student representative to the Deputy Vice Chancellors Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, giving us a direct voice on university decisions.
Aside from ANUSA work, what we do fits into three categories: advocacy, social and networking. We run campaigns on issues relevant to our communities; anything from refugee rights to mental health. Sometimes these events are non-autonomous, a place for everyone to learn! We also throw events on campus, have autonomous fortnightly meetings, and socialise online and over coffee.
Weekly meetings: Wednesday 5pm @ ANUSA Boardroom
Weekly Chai & Chats: keep an eye on our Facebook page for information!
Who forms the collective?
Every undergraduate student who identifies with the term “ethnocultural” as defined above is a member of this department. Department meetings and events are always open to all collective members, providing a safe space to speak openly about our experiences and opinions and to plan campaigns and events.
‘Autonomous’: if you see an event labelled as this, then it means it’s only open to those who identify as part of our collective.
‘Non-autonomous’: some events will be open to all, regardless of whether you identify as BIPOC or not!
Get in touch with us!
Email: sa.ethnocultural@anu.edu.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ANUBIPOCDepartment
Autonomous Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/491650024345060/
ANU BIPOC Organising group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/333566737669902/
If you have seen, heard, or experienced anything you deem to be rooted in racism, please fill out the anonymous link below.
https://forms.gle/2KVQA1ZVPPGeUUC27
2021 Executive
Department Officer: Chido Nyakuengama
Deputy Officer Social: 'Toritse Mojutan
Deputy Officer Advocacy: Bella Vacaflores
Secretary: Chanel Nguyen
Treasurer: Oshini Weliwita