Fall 2014 Multicultural Newsletter
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Transcript of Fall 2014 Multicultural Newsletter
ABOUT THE MULTICULTURAL NEWSLETTER . . .
The concept of the Multicultural Newsletter is to provide an avenue for information, updates, opinions, news, and events that will expand the cultural horizons of all Ripon College students. Each issue will include upcoming cultural student
organization events, articles and opinion pieces by Ripon College students, and see the great things the student activities office is doing. The ultimate hope of this newsletter is that the reader(s) will find him/herself more aware of the cultural
atmosphere and events present not only on the Ripon College campus, but around the United States and the world.
FALL 2014 EDITION
INSIDE THIS ISSUE :
FALL 2014 WITH MISA 1
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY 2
MAYA ANGELOU : CENTER
FOR DIVERSITY AND IN-
3
LA UNIDA
INTERNATIONAL MONTH
STUDENT ORG SPOTLIGHT
UPCOMING EVENTS
EDITORS NOTE
4
4
5
6
6
MULTICULTURAL NEWSLETTER
By Fabiola Mercado
As the semester is coming to an end, I have come to the realization of everything that I have learned and reflected on as the Multicultural and International Student Affairs Assistant for SAO. Entering this position as an active member of various diversity groups on campus like HOLA, La Unida, and BSU I was very excited to be part of Multicultural International Student Affairs, which strongly supports diversity. Working with the Assistant Director of Student Activities, Kyonna Withers, throughout the semester to plan MLK week was awesome. From booking key-note speakers, coming up with theme ideas, creating the flyers and much more made me appreciate and acknowledge the hard work that staff and students put in to create events and activities around campus that educate and promote diversity. I attended meetings and events that talked about or dealt with our January theme for MLK week, Race and the (in) justice system. These meetings and/or events personally opened up my eyes about many issues that I was not aware of. I would like to see more students as well as Faculty/ Staff to become more active in these events, to keep promoting diversity as well as to keep educating ourselves of issues that are taking place here in our campus as well and our country as a whole. I encourage all of you to keep an eye on MLK week right when we come back from winter break which will be a week full of fun activities and events. For this upcoming spring semester I hope to grow and learn even more through this position, I would like to see more students as well as Faculty/ Staff to become more active in these events, to keep promoting diversity as well as to keep educating ourselves of issues that are taking place here on our campus as well and our country as a whole.
FALL 2014 WITH MISA
PAGE 2 MULTICULTURAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3 FALL 2014 EDITION
By Ale Sanchez
La Unida is an organization
that is meant to support the
development of an inclusive
culturally pluralistic campus
environment where diversity (not only Hispanic
heritage) is accepted and celebrated. La Unida
brings a diverse community of students together to
educate others on the different aspects of Latin
American cultures. La Unida simulates a support
system for those who share an interest and/or a
background of Hispanic culture.
La Unida strives to provide opportunities for
community building and mentorship with a specific
focus on serving students of Hispanic or Latino
Heritage, or those invested in learning more about
the culture. As an organization we ensure that all
students, regardless of specific social identities or
backgrounds, are treated fairly and experience the
same rights and privileges as those from majority
populations.
La Unida plans to execute educational and
informative programs and activities intended to
increase students’ awareness, knowledge, and
attitudes around the celebration of Hispanic Heritage.
It serves as an organized student body that advocates
with other allies in commitment to support the
development of equitable and fair policies and
procedures. This organization is meant to uplift and
serve the surrounding community, serve as an outlet
to students who strive for the advancement of the
Hispanic community and development of personal
leadership in an effort to more positively influence
society. Currently we meet every Tuesday at 5pm in
the Center for Social Responsibility.
NEWEST MULTICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION
PAGE 4 MULTICULTURAL NEWSLETTER
INTERNATIONAL MONTH
By: Connor Cummiskey and Megan Ringo
Throughout the month of November the Student Activities Office (SAO), with a little help from the Cultural Diversity Club (CDC), gave students a glimpse of different cultures other than their own. This month was created as an opportunity for internation-al students to feel more at home at Ripon.
“We have 27 students that are not from the United States, why not celebrate their holidays with them and make them feel appreciated as Ripon is their home away from home?” asked Assistant Director of Student Activities Kyonna Withers. “… Ripon College prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship, and international month is part of being socially responsible.” One tenant that Withers wanted to emphasize is the idea of cultural competence. “Being competent about cultures [is] know-ing about them, learning about them [and] spreading knowledge about them,” says Withers.
The three cultures that SAO decided to exhibit this year were Hmong, Greek, and Japanese cultures. Events on these three cultures included: a Hmong culture presentation, where students joined Mary Kong from the Hmong Center of Green Bay for lunch to discuss topics within the Hmong Culture; a Japanese tea ceremony, where students had the opportunity to learn about Japanese history and culture as well as the importance of the tea ceremony and what spiritual meanings it held for the people of Japan; and for Greece, Greek weddings were displayed for students to experience the early aspect of their wed-ding ceremonial customs and traditions.
Other events for students to participate in included a TED Talks and Tea to discuss “Food in not only culture, it’s diplomacy,” a fashion show depicting clothing from all over the world and an activity fair called “Rally Around the World,” where students enjoyed learning about the different cultures provided by the international students on campus.
The college emphasizes diversity, particularly within the last year or so, in an effort to encourage the school’s tagline “More. Together.” By creating this month and the different events that go with it, the idea of drawing on differences in the student body is viewed more as a strength instead of a division, locally and globally.
Queer Straight Alliance
By: Gillian Grocke
Our main goal this semester in QSA was to up our visibility on campus and gain membership. This semester has been very successful. We had a great LGBT* History month and put on several events like Safe Zone training, a pub party, and an alliance ceremony. Not only have we been trying to
up our visibility, but we have also been getting involved with other the other multicultural groups on campus and even had a workshop with FISK. We've had weekly meetings held on Tuesday nights from6:00pm to 7:00pm, which will continue at the same time next semester. Next semester we hope to hold more workshops and events.
Black Student Union
By: Clarence Sanon
This year for the black student union has been tremendous. The group has began to work alongside other multicultural groups
to raise awareness about diversity and inclusion. We hope to have diversity activities implemented amongst all students as well as on an institutional level. The group has been invigorated students are speaking up and being proud to be advocates for change. The group has started to facilitate an aura of unity and family. The wheels of the diversity bus has been pushed and the Black Student Union is driving. We are currently finalizing plans for Black History Month and we have picked the theme of Black Voices. Join us in the spring every Wednesdays at 5:15pm in the MLK Lounge.
PAGE 5 FALL 2014 EDITION
R IPON ’S MULTICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
rRRumba!
Love to dance? Well this group is for you! rRRumba is a student organization that meets every Tuesday and Thursday in Great Hall at 7 and seeks to promote the appreciation and recognition of ballroom dancing as a positive and constructive form of recreation. Every year rRRumba is invited to perform at International Dinner and goes to Salsa Congress, which is a national salsa convention in Chicago. They are always looking for more participants so feel free to join! 2015 elections are March 5!
Cultural Diversity Club
By: Yessra Sankari
In the past 2 years CDC flourished to be 1 of the 5 diverse clubs on campus. Our goals are to spread diversity through highlighting the unique diverse cultures Ripon has. We meet once a week to talk about cultural activities that spread awareness of acceptance and diversity throughout campus. As the president of CDC, I look upon CDC with pride and love. Guiding CDC to bloom into the organization it is today, brings joy to my heart. There is nothing more on campus that I am dedicated to as much as CDC.
I’m studying abroad in the spring but I look forward to see what wonderful activities CDC will accomplish, including International dinner. I leave CDC to flourish even more with the leadership of the exec board and the members.
Martin Luther King Jr
Day January 19
MLK Week 2015 January
25-January 31
Home Away from Home
group dinner February 3
5pm
Black History Month in
February (Black Voices)
Ash Wednesday February
18
Chinese New Year
February 19
Women's History Month
in March
Easter April 5
Passover April 4-11
CDC Culture Week April
4-12
International Dinner
April 12
1st day of Ridvan April
21
300 W. Seward St. Ripon, WI 54971
The Office of Student Activities and Orientation Phone: 920-748-8112 http://www.ripon.edu/studentlife/student_activities/misa/misa.html Editor of newlstter: Kyonna Withers Assistant Director of Student Activities E-mail: [email protected]
earlier in the
newsletter) for their
hard work and
persistence to put
themselves out there
as not only students
but as members of
underrepresented
groups that are
hurting from the
things that are
happening in and out
of Wisconsin to their
people. There were
mixed reviews of the
peaceful protest that
was done in the
commons on 12/10 but
it was well put
By: Kyonna Withers
This semester has
been a busy yet
powerful semester at
Ripon in regards to
diversity. With so
much going on in the
world from
indictments, to police
brutality, to student
protests all over the
country, our campus
has become active and
more aware of issues
facing students
around the globe. I
am proud of the
multicultural
coalition (mentioned
together and we had
an overwhelming
positive reaction from
faculty, staff, and
students. Some may
have griped that we
did it, but there were
more smiles than
frowns and an impact
was made, which was
the point. I encourage
the campus to be
active and heard
about what they
believe in. There will
be more changes made
at Ripon in regards to
diversity in spring
2015 so get ready for
EDITORS NOTE !
UPCOMING EVENTS & HOLIDAYS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT RELEVANT AND APPROPRIATE ARTICLES, STORIES, EVENTS, AND MORE TO KYONNA WITHERS FOR PUBLICATION CONSIDERATION.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of Student Activities and Orientation or the Ripon College community.
movement and social
change. If there are ever
any concerns stop by the
student activities office
or Maya Angelou
Center and voice them
in person. Let us all
work together to make
Ripon a place that is
desired and appreciated
by all, for all.