Letter from the Director Veronica Neal invites & welcomes you to our of-fice!

Read about Treyvon Martin, Affirmative Ac-tion and other COMMUNITY CONVERSA-TIONS

AB 540 Aware-ness Week & 6 Ways you can help undocumented stu-dents

The Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multi-

cultural Education promotes — through pro-

grams and services — an academic, cultur-

al and social environment that provides eq-

uity, social justice and academic success for

all members of the De Anza College campus

community. It supports the district and college

missions, which consider diversity an essential

component of student education in the 21st

century.

Who we are?

.

21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA, 95014 | Admin 105

Equity Advisory Council Join the Equity Advisory Council which is open for students, and faculty. Drop by, get in-volved and share your voice at the meetings that are held every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. At the meeting students and staff work towards promoting equity, diversity and social justice amongst students and the community, while also currently developing a vision and goals for the upcoming school year. Our meetings are the 2

nd and 4

th Wednesday’s at 3:30pm at the MCC.

The Equity Office Come into the Equity Office, where you will be marveled by the art exhibit displayed. Art-ist, Linden Keiffer’s works are exhibited throughout the office. Keiffer utilizes symbols and ab-stract art in order to convey a message of the significance of racial and cultural diversity along with the need to find a cultural harmony. While you’re here take a look at our resource library filled with hundreds of books that can be checked out. Book themes include race, cultural diver-sity, and gender along with teaching aid and training resources. We are located at Admin 105.

May/June Spring 2012 Newsletter

The Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education

VERONICA NEAL Director of Office of Equity, Social Justice & Multicultural Educa-

tion

SHAILA RAMOS Outreach &

Communica-tions Specialist

DEEPA YUVARAJ Special Programs, Events Coordina-

MADINA JAHED Resources Specialist & Research Assistant

DEFERRED ACTION TO UNDOC-

UMENTED YOUTH WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA President Obama to grant temporary relief to DREAM Act beneficiaries as a mo-mentous act of courage and a profoundly important step to-ward justice for immigrant youth. The announcement comes after two years of or-ganizing and advocacy by DREAMers to ensure that their lives are not put on hold and that their families are not torn apart because of Con-gress’ failure to act. For more information visit: UnitedWeDream.org Websites to visit for more in-formation: www.e4fc.org www.caldreamact.org www.ab540.com www.cadreamneetwork.org

AB 540 AWARENESS WEEK! Undocumented students face an “enormous emotional burden” .

AB 540 Awareness week which was held on May 7th-11th made a big im-pact on De Anza students. IMASS (Integral Movement for AB 540 Stu-dent Success) a club on campus based on providing resources and a safe place for undocumented and AB 540 students, together with HEFAS (Higher Education for AB 540 Stu-dents) a developing institutional pro-gram here at De Anza college that will provide services for this community, worked together to make this week happen. The goal was to provide an opportunity for Allies, and undocu-mented/AB 540 students themselves to learn about the issues and the re-sources De Anza offers.

Below is an article

written by De

Anza’s Newspaper

“La Voz”

By Leila Forouhi

Opinions Editor

Sunday, May 20,

2012

Undocument-

ed students and their allies discussed ways to cope with unique health is-sues facing undocumented students at the Dare to Dream Conference held on May 10, as part of AB 540 Aware-ness Week. Unique challenges these students face include lack of financial support and access to a supportive community, according to Jose Arreola from the San Francisco nonprofit Educators for Fair Consideration. Undocumented students face an “enormous emotional burden” stem-ming from the fear of being caught and deported. In turn, undocumented stu-dents and their families experience the conditioned anxiety disorder known as complex traumatic stress disorder. The disorder is brought about from constantly reliving trauma, where de-portation is equated to the death of a

loved one, Arreola said. For students living with the disorder, life is a day to day struggle. Studies conducted found that the best ways to cope include sleeping a full eight hours, eating nutritious food and exer-cise. Additionally, part of the healing pro-cess involves revealing your status to others and not hiding it. “Don’t tell the world,”Arreola said. “But make it a part of your public life.” Anaruth Hernandez, 23, political science and anthropology major, a founding member of IMASS Club com-mented that the event is helping her and others to “take a look in our com-munity.” The passing of AB 540 gave undocu-mented students resident status allow-ing them to apply for state funds for higher education if they meet the re-quirements of attending a California high school for at least three years and having a high school diploma. 6 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT UNDOCUMENTED/AB 540 STUDENTS 1.) Provide Hope & Encouragement Reassure students that college is pos-

sible, despite the obstacles 2.) Don’t Make Assumptions Don’t ask students to self-identify 3.) Know Relevant Policies & Legislation Understand college-specific admis-

sions and enrollment for undocument-ed students

Keep informed about the federal DREAM Act and immigration issues

4.) Refer to Legal Service Providers Help students obtain individual anal-

yses of their immigration remedies. 5.) Instill Agency Create a safe community where un-

documented students can speak openly

Encourage students to share their sto-

ries with new audiences (when safe).

6.) Be There

To listen, help solve problems, be a

public ally.

21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA, 95014 | Admin 105

NEWS & EVENTS

“I want to be less judgmental and more open”.

What are Community Conversations? Student facilitated dialogue forums to cre-ate a safe space for all members of our campus to share their stories, concerns and to build community through listening deeply. All events supported by DASB, ICCE, Euphrat Museum of Art, Student facilitators, IIS and Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education.

The first Community Conversation or-ganized by this office was on Affirma-tive Action Cynthia Kauffman, Director of the Institute for Community and Civic Engagement and Ed-mundo Norte, Dean Intercultural and Interna-tional Studies talked about the historical and contemporary aspects of Affirmative action. Students from Facilitation Communication class, iLEAD! (Latino Empowerment at De An-za) mentors and several faculty and staff par-ticipated in this conversation.

Remembering Trayvon Community Conversation On April 12, while news stories covered Trayvon Martin's shooting and subsequent reactions in popular media, around 250 people donned Hoodies and began the day with a Moment of Silence at the freedom stage and followed this at an Open Mic event. 'Remembering Trayvon' was a Community Conversation on how we feel when such inci-dents happen. A talk by Edmundo Norte, talked about non-violent communication set the tone for deeper conversations and sharing of stories of oppression, racism and discrimina-tion that prevails in society today. Communica-tion Students (who participated in the Partner's in Learning Conference in March this year) facilitated group conversation amongst stu-dents, faculty and staff. One student comment-ed at the end of the conversation “I want to be less judgmental and more open”.

Real Talk: Undocumented and Unafraid on May 8th A Community Conversation to create aware-ness and present opportunities for undocu-mented students. As part of the Undocumented students awareness week, the event began with our student leader, Executive Vice Presi-dent of Senate, IMASS (Integral Movement for AB 540 Student Success)activist and HEFAS (Higher Education for AB 540 Students) Co-Administrator, Shaila Ramos sharing her per-sonal story. She also presented in detail the various legal aspects of being undocumented

and the social and legal movements that sup-port and create such awareness. Participants discussed how we could be allies and possible support to undocumented students who can avail the legal possibilities as AB540 students.

Economic Divide in educational sys-tems and Youth Aspirations was held on May 17. To discuss and share aspirations of DeAnza students in the climate of economic challenges. Dr. Mae Lee from the Intercultural Studies De-partment talked about the challenges facing De Anza community instructors and students alike. One student commented, “I want to complete my courses but I am working 30 hours a week, I am supporting my family and I am stressed.” Participants went back wanting to connect back and to support each other. We would like to thank the Spch 15 Facilitation communication class by Ms Donna Stasio and Student facilitators from Spch 15 and Spch 70 The California History Center and the Euphrat Museum of Art.

EVENTS

'An Evening with Artists creating change' a Juneteenth Celebration of De

Anza Authors Cozetta Gray Guinn, Cynthia Kauffman and Kei Fischer with Artist Linden Keiffer and Spoken word Artist McTate Stro-man II, was held amid DeAnza student art and renderings by spoken word artists at the Eu-phrat Lobby on June 12. Some awe, some energy, some philosophical talk these added spice to a joyous and aesthetic experience this evening. The Panel discussion led by Dr. Ve-ronica Neal, Director, Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education was ably supported by Diana Argabrite, Director of Arts & Schools Program at the Euphrat Museum of Art in or-ganizing the event. Panelists discussed various topics with gusto and the guests took back some thought provoking ideas! The Equity Office works with many other or-ganizations, clubs and classes on campus to promote equity and host and organize events. These include:

ICS 96 Intro to LGBT Studies by Professor

Julie Lewis.

Equity Advisory Council

Institute of Community and Civic Engage-

ment (ICCE)

Intercultural/International Studies Division

Office of Staff and Organizational Develop-

ment

21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA, 95014 | Admin 105

NEWS & EVENTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Monday June 18, PRIDE WEEK A Community Conversation on Suicide & Anti-Bullying Con-ference Monday, June 18, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Sunken Garden and Con-ference Room A Advocates' Day: Organizations Supporting the LBGTQI Com-munity Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Quad An Evening of Health & Well-ness with special guest speak-er John Andrews Tuesday, June 19, 3:30-6 p.m. in MCC 11 Mini Film Festival & Discus-sion Wednesday, June 20 Paris is Burning at 11:30 a.m.-1:20 p.m. in MCC 13 A Jihad for Love at 6-9 p.m. in MCC 11 Expression: An Art, Open Mic & LIve Performance Showcase Thursday, June 21, 6-8 p.m. in the Euphrat Museum

21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA, 95014 | Admin 105

NEWS & EVENTS Dear De Anza Community: It has been a pleasure to join the De Anza family this spring. Over the last few months that I have been here I have so enjoyed the sense of community, commitment to equity, and interest in our programs. I would like to encourage everyone to take time to reflect on what you can do to increase our equity, social justice, and multicultural efforts. I also hope that you will contact the Equity Office, attend our programs, and join our special committees. We are looking forward to seeing you and deepening our work together in the fall. Last, I would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing student employees that make up the Equity Team: Shaila, Madina, and Deepa! With-out these three amazing women, and of the Equity Office programs, events, and equity efforts would have had limited success. It is because of them, and all of our students, that social transformation is possible. Please join us! VERONICA NEAL Director of Office of Equity, Social Justice & Multicultural Education Look out for our next Newsletter coming Fall 2012!

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Please visit our web-site for an updated list of news and events as well as information on what the Equity Office is currently working on. http://deanza.edu/equityoffice/ Much thanks to the Equity Office team for making this Newsletter possible!

About Our Featured Artist– Linden Kiffer

His work is feautured in this Newsletter and a mini-exhibit is currently in the Equi-

ty Office Admin. 105

The Equity Office thanks Linden Kieiffer’s for his art and commitment to Equity.

Linden Keiffer's journey as an artist and a person of color is a continual work in progress. As society continues to evolve, so does his work. Beneath Keiffer's personal visions of figures, symbols and surreal environments is a view of society’s deep-rooted issues around race, culture, social values and morals. He utilizes symbolism and dreamlike environments that aim to teach others the im-portance of racial and cultural diversity, and the need to find a better means to achieve racial and cultural harmony. Keiffer graduated with honors from Arizona State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s de-gree in studio art. He double majored in drawing and painting with an emphasis in psy-chology. He is a certified adult educator, community arts activist, and co-founder and president of The You In Me, Inc., a multicultural arts education nonprofit organization

THE ART OF CHANGE!