ACTober

Action. Community. Transformation

ACTober unites the Rutgers community around current social justice topics through an intersectional and intercultural lens. We aim to inspire faculty, staff, and students to move beyond awareness and passive allyship towards collective action, because we get more accomplished in community. ACTober offers educational opportunities that welcome Rutgers community members with diverse perspectives into shared spaces for dialogue, mutual support, education, and learning, while inspiring us all to take meaningful ACTion.

Throughout this month-long series, we D.A.R.E. participants to:

• DIALOGUE across difference and come to a better understanding;
• ACT on ways to support and advocate for others;
• REFLECT on personal stereotypes and prejudices; and
• ENGAGE with folks of diverse identities and lived experiences.

Building Belonging. Advancing Equity. Inspiring Action.

2026 Theme: Undocu+ and Immigrant Justice

We call on our entire campus to ACT on behalf of undocu+ and immigrant communities across all racial and ethnic backgrounds in need during the current local and national context.

Each year, SJE determines the ACTober theme based on campus climate, global and national news, and student needs and experiences. Do you have a potential ACTober theme or programming topic that's important to you? Email sje@echo.rutgers.edu.

Signature Event: ACT Summit

Inaugural ACT Summit (in collaboration with UndocuRutgers)
Thursday, October 15th, 2026
4 pm - 8 pm
Douglass Student Center, Trayes Hall

The Inaugural ACT (Action, Community, Transformation) Summit is the signature ACTober experience that brings together people and topics to explore what it means to ACT on behalf of others. 

Learn more and RSVP for the ACT Summit

ACTober 2026 Calendar

2026 Programs

Processing Space: Recent Research on Trans Identities
Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
12 pm - 1:30 pm
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities

Join us for a conversation to help us process the massive amounts of difficult information that impact our daily lives and work. All members of the Rutgers community are invited to talk about recent developments in research on Trans identities. RSVP at go.rutgers.edu/processing.

 

Mental Health & You
Hosted by the Diversity Peer Educators

Tuesday, October 13th, 2026
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities

This session explores the importance of mental health and self-care, especially for students navigating stress, identity, and community pressures. Participants will learn practical strategies to maintain emotional well-being and foster supportive spaces for themselves and others.

 

 

Friends of SJE: Academic Excellence in ACTion
Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
6 pm - 8 pm
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities

Join us for the first session in Friends of SJE: Academic Excellence in ACTion. This speaker series spotlights current research, scholarship, and best practices on topics related to social justice, diversity, and community care. We invite our entire campus community to be in shared learning space. Food will be provided.

Our first session features Tyler Bauer, M.A., Residence Life Coordinator. The Limits of National Identity in Postcolonial Past, Present, and Future invites learners to think together about what freedom and liberation have meant, and can mean, across a world shaped by colonization. Together, we’ll make space to explore new ways of imagining freedom beyond the construct of borders and national identity and what these possibilities can mean for a shared future, free of oppression. RSVP at go.rutgers.edu/FriendsSJERSVP. 

 

 

Community Conversations
Hosted by the Tyler Clementi Center

Thursday, October 15th, 2026
12 pm - 2 pm
The Rutgers Club (Registration Required)

Community conversations are opportunities for small groups of faculty, staff, postdocs, and students to come together to practice respectful engagement where diverse perspectives are present. Attendees learn strategies for listening generously and engaging meaningfully with different points of view using case studies of real Rutgers events. Event contact: tylerclemctr@rutgers.edu.

 

*Faculty/Staff ONLY* - Know Your Rights Workshop
Co-hosted by Rutgers Immigration Community Assistance Project (RICAP) and the Offices of the Dean of Students - Advocacy, Outreach & Support

Friday, October 16th, 2026
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom (Registration required using netid@rutgers.edu)

 

Looksmaxxing Survival Guide: a Feminist Workshop
Hosted by the Diversity Peer Educators

Monday, October 19th, 2026
5 pm - 6:30 pm
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities

This session is an introductory conversation about feminism. It covers different nuances of the feminist movement and sheds light on its evolving nature. We will go over the history of feminism, different theories of feminism, and important national and global feminist movements.

 

 

Hot Wings & Hot Topic Tuesdays
Tuesday, October 20th
5 pm - 7 pm
LOCATION TBD

Every 3rd Tuesday, we're coming to you to talk about what’s going on. Themes are developed based on what's happening on campus and in the world around us. Trained facilitators will create a safe and brave space for participants to speak their minds and engage in respectful dialogue. Wings of various flavors and spice levels will also be offered. No RSVP required.

 

 

Undocu+ Ally Training
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
3 pm - 5 pm
Alexander Library, JetStream Room

This new training opportunity from SJE provides participants with the competencies and skills necessary to understand, affirm, and advocate for the experiences of undocumented and immigrant students on our campus and beyond. RSVP at go.rutgers.edu/UndocuAlly. 

 

 

Healer… Heal Thyself: The Cumulative Impact of Racial Trauma on Clinician Wellness
Hosted by the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology

Friday, October 23rd, 2026
12 pm - 3:15 pm
Virtual via Zoom (Registration Required)

Like the cumulative impact of racial trauma on clients, direct and indirect exposure to racial trauma can affect your physical and emotional wellness, as well as your effectiveness in working with racially marginalized clients and systems. During this session, you will explore the impact of vicarious racial trauma and learn practical strategies to address and buffer its effects on your wellness. RSVP at https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=97077&check=1. Event contact: Dr.JenniferJones@rutgers.edu.

 

 

SafeR Space Training
Thursday, October 29th, 2026
2 pm - 5 pm
Campbell Hall, Room A4

Safe(R) Space is a 3-hour, introductory, interactive workshop open to all Rutgers students, staff, and faculty. This training is meant to familiarize participants with various concepts related to LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences and empower our campus to be active allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more and RSVP at go.rutgers.edu/saferspace.

ACTober Across Campus

Latine Heritage Month

Disability Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Call for Programs

SJE D.A.R.E's academic programs, departments, or units to coordinate opportunities, programs, and initiatives that will encourage students, faculty, staff, and other community members to DIALOGUE, ACT, REFLECT, and ENGAGE during ACTober. 

Submit your program/initiative to our ACTober Calendar

Looking for ideas on how to engage? Start here!

Contact Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya, Assistant Director of Education, at paolo.mb@rutgers.edu to learn more about how YOU can ACT up. 

Our Inspiration to ACT Up

Our call to ACT up is inspired by ACT UP - the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals who are committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis, which disproportionately affects BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more at https://actupny.com/.