{"id":116821,"date":"2022-11-10T00:02:48","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T05:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/?p=116821"},"modified":"2022-11-09T23:47:43","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T04:47:43","slug":"george-mason-will-use-virtual-reality-to-fight-racism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/george-mason-will-use-virtual-reality-to-fight-racism\/","title":{"rendered":"George Mason University will use virtual reality simulations to train faculty on implicit bias"},"content":{"rendered":"

Free speech group says program could run into legal problems<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A new virtual reality program at George Mason University will help faculty learn how to fight racism and their \u201cimplicit bias.\u201d<\/p>\n

The university\u2019s College of Health and Human Services announced plans<\/a> for \u201ctraining [that] will educate faculty to recognize and react to implicit bias and microaggressions through a [virtual reality] simulation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program is being developed by the the university’s Inclusive Excellence Working Group with the goal to teach faculty about how to \u201cmitigate the harmful effects of racism and discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group hopes to accomplish this \u201cby discussing the nature of microaggressions, applying strategies to react to microaggressions from multiple perspectives, and demonstrating confidence and commitment to act.\u201d<\/p>\n

The initiative could next be expanded to staff and students. Upon completing the training program, participants must fill out surveys measuring the program’s impact on their ability to reduce and eliminate “racism, microaggressions, and discrimination.”<\/p>\n

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the university must be careful not to require a specific outcome or statement of belief as part of the training.<\/p>\n

Campus Rights Advocacy Program Officer Haley Gluhanich told The College Fix<\/em> that the program may veer into “unlawful thought reform\u201d if \u201cparticipants are forced to say they believe in certain views taught in the training, or change their course material to conform to it, that would likely be unconstitutional.\u201d She said the survey portion raises concerns about legality.<\/p>\n

MORE<\/strong>: Academics receive $297 million in NIH funds to study racism and health<\/a><\/p>\n

Gluhanich wrote that it is probably legal as long as the program does not force participants to affirm certain positions or mandate faculty to change their teaching curriculum.<\/p>\n

The platform allows faculty \u201cto experience microaggressions from different perspectives, including the receiver, witness\/bystander, and the source, in a real-life context,\u201d Bethany Cieslowski, the college\u2019s simulation coordinator, stated in the news release. \u201cVR offers the opportunity for deliberate, repeated practice required to gain the confidence and skills necessary to react to the negative effects of racist language and actions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidence demonstrates that active engagement provides a deeper understanding, increases learning retention, and builds confidence,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n

Cieslowski did not return a request for comment in the last week on the goal of the program and if participants must affirm certain beliefs about race. The College Fix<\/em> asked similar questions to Professor Jeanne Booth, one of the scholars involved with the program, but did not receive a response.<\/p>\n

The program at George Mason University will not be the first time VR has been used to combat racism and implicit bias.<\/p>\n

In 2019, The Fix<\/em> reported<\/a> that the University of Southern California\u2019s business school was utilizing VR to help reduce participants’ \u201cunconscious bias.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE<\/strong>: University shuts down anti-racism training that separated students by race<\/a><\/p>\n

IMAGE: Halfpoint\/Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

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