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5 Days for Change FAQ

Five Days for Change Frequently Asked Questions

What is Five Days for Change? When is it? 

An intensive training program, Five Days for Change (5D4C) is designed for Student Affairs academic professionals and civil service employees focused on cultural competency, skills, and awareness. Focused on social justice and campus civility, participants will build skills in working in cross-cultural environments, while also increasing their skills and effectiveness as allies.

Five Days for Change virtual sessions begin each day at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., with a lunch period and breaks included.  Due to COVID-19 precautions, Five Days for Change will take place virtually.

What if I can’t make all 5 days? What if I have to leave early?

Participants must be able to attend all of the training sessions in order to be selected.

What will I take away from Five Days for Change? 

Five Days for Change is focused on the individual and institutional roles we each play in creating an inclusive campus environment. Participants will gain knowledge and skills in these areas, but the program will also provide time for participant to practice these skills. 

Learning outcomes include:

  • Acquiring a working knowledge of the factors that influence the Illinois climate for traditionally marginalized groups
  • Examining how your own power, privilege, and position can influence positive change in the campus climate, and
  • Gaining skills for working in cross-cultural environments

Will I receive recognition for attending?

All participants will receive a certificate for attending. Copies will also be provided to participants’ supervisors.

How are participants selected? 

Any academic professional, civil service staff, and faculty member are invited to register to attend the Five Days for Change training. Five Days for Change planning committee will contact registrants' supervisors or department heads to confirm their approval. Space is limited in the training; once the training is full, overflow registrants will be added to a wait list and notified as spaces become available. 

When will I be notified? 

Participants will be notified via their preferred mode of communication 1 week before the training dates. A wait list will be created, should any of the selected applicants be unable to attend.

Will I have to take vacation time to attend?

No. Five Days for Change is a professional development opportunity and as such counts towards work hours, rather than vacation. Participants will be expected to have approval of their supervisors and department heads to attend Five Days for Change.

What is the cost of this training?

There is no personal cost to participants to attend this training. Participants’ home departments will pay for participant’s meals and materials, a total cost of $325.

Do we need our supervisor’s permission to apply?

You do not need your supervisor’s permission to apply, but you will need pre-approval and pre-arrangement with your supervisor prior to selection.

What will be expected of participants after Five Days for Change?

Following the training, participants will be invited (not required) to remain a community of trained allies and responders. Participants will also be encouraged to set up informal networks with each other to maintain the relationships developed at Five Days for Change.

Will there be breaks for us to check our e-mail? 

Each day, during the virtual sessions, breaks and a lunch period will be provided to participants to check email, return phone messages, etc. During the training, however, we request that participantscreate an environment where they will be able to focus on the training and activities by refraining from non-emergency calls and answering emails.

Will Five Days for Change be offered again? 

Yes. Five Days for Change is offered on an annual or semi-annual basis, depending on interest and resources.

What if I have more questions?

If you have further questions about Five Days for Change, contact us at diversityed@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5585