The U.S. Justice Department’s top civil rights official is threatening to open an investigation into a race-restricted geology camp promoted by two Central Washington University(CWU) instructors, after video circulated of one of them admitting the weekend retreat is not open to everyone.
The event is called Rock and Role, a three-day geology retreat scheduled for August 21 through 23 at the Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center outside Ellensburg. It is organized by The Bronze Chapter, a Washington nonprofit, and led by CWU senior lecturer Nick Zentner and CWU assistant professor of geology Hannah Shamloo. Both teach in a geological sciences department that has spent years building a national reputation for public outreach and climate and glacier research.
“So the Bronze Chapter is a wonderful outdoors group founded by Denise Rochelle, and the mission of Bronze Chapter is to increase the participation of BIPOC members in the outdoors. Historically, members of BIPOC haven’t had the same opportunities for safe engagement with the outdoors, and so Nick and I are here to really extend a warm welcome and encouragement to members of BIPOC to come join us and engage with the geology that we love so much,” she stated.
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UPDATE 08-06-26: A CWU spokesperson offered the following statement after publication: “Central Washington University is not affiliated with the nonprofit organization, The Bronze Chapter, and has no direct involvement, financial or otherwise, in an event on August 21 that the organization is hosting. However, CWU supports our talented faculty members who offer their own time to share their knowledge and expertise with communities outside of CWU.”