caitie peterson campus life editor petercap@uni.edu
campuslife
december 7, 2012
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northern-iowan.org
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LGBT EVENTS
Wahls gives speech about importance of marriage KIRSTEN TJOSSEM Staff Writer
It was a little less than two years ago when Zach Wahls gave his speech in front of the Iowa House of Representatives in defense of gay marriage. Since then, he’s received countless emails and Facebook friend requests, made television appearances including “The Daily Show” and “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and released a book in April of this year titled “My Two Moms.” Now, with more than 20 million hits on the YouTube video of his speech, Wahls is taking some time off of his schooling at the University of Iowa to continue his activism. He is focusing on promotional events like the one that was held here at the University of Northern Iowa on Tuesday, Dec. 4. “It’s too important to not do something,” said Wahls, who partnered with One Iowa, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, for the event and several others like it across the state. Wahls’ talk focused on pro-
tecting marriage equality in Iowa as well as across the nation. “Today we live in a state where the rings on their fingers mean something, and that’s beautiful,” said Wahls. While Iowa is ahead of many other states when it comes to marriage equality, there’s still work that needs to be done to ensure equal and fair rights for all, advocates say. “We have the laws, but how do we impact the rest of the Midwest?” said One Iowa communications director Molly Tafoya, who spoke of the Home for the Holidays project. With only four members, it’s impossible for UNI’s One Iowa to reach everyone. That is why their on-campus initiative began Home for the Holidays, a project that encourages students to take a pledge to have five conversations about the importance of marriage equality while at home during the holiday season. “You have to talk about it,” said Wahls. UNI became involved with One Iowa early in 2010,
with the goal of strengthening and establishing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Iowans through education, political activism and social outreach. Since its establishment, the group has evolved from collaborating with One Iowa to becoming a recognized student organization. “While political advocacy remains an important part of our mission, we’ve broadened the scope of our work to include LGBT activism issues specific to UNI, like gender-neutral housing,” said UNI One Iowa president Kyle Woollums. “We’ve also become a more social organization and try to program events that encourage the campus at large to get involved and learn about LGBT issues.” UNI students interested in getting involved with One Iowa at UNI can attend the weekly meetings held on Mondays at 8:15 p.m. in Maucker Union. More information on the organization can be found on their Facebook page.
DORM LIFE
Department of Residence seeks applicants for RA positions ALAN WILKINS
Staff Writer
The Department of Residence is now accepting applications for Resident Assistant positions for all residence halls on the University of Northern Iowa campus. According to the DOR website, to apply one must be a full-time UNI student with a minimum GPA of 2.25 in good behavioral standing with the university, and one must have spent at least one semester living in a residence hall. The recruitment process is handled by a committee of current Residence Life Coordinators and Resident Assistants from each residence hall on campus. Ashley Hartnett, Residence Life Coordinator and chair of the RA recruitment committee, provided insight into the RA recruitment process. The first part of the RA recruitment process includes
filling out and submitting an online RA application with an attached cover letter and resume. Additionally, two letters of recommendation, including one from a current RA and one from a previous employer, professor or someone able to assess the candidate’s work ethics, skills and personality, may be handdelivered or scanned and emailed to the DOR. The second part of the RA recruitment process includes an hour-long series of formal interviews by the RLCs along with current RAs, which Harnett compares to “speed dating.” This gives the RLCs the chance to meet and interact with all the candidates for about five minutes each. Each candidate will be accompanied by an RA, who will show them where to go and will answer any questions the candidate may have. The next part includes what is called a “socialview.” This is a large-group, infor-
mal setting which gives candidates the chance to speak to RLCs one-on-one, asking about what each RLC is looking for in RAs working in their building. Additionally, some activities will be put together that allow candidates to show how they work on a problem in a group dynamic. Finally, decision letters will be sent in the mail on Feb. 20. The letters will tell candidates whether they have been offered the RA position or selected as an alternate in case candidates who have been offered the position do not accept the offer. Hartnett said that after the interviews, the RLCs get together to discuss who they will select. “Mainly, the determining factor that determines who we hire for buildings comes down to the fact of who’s going to work well with who and what type of team dynamic do we < See RECRUITMENT, page 8
page 7
volume 109, issue 27
STYLE
DAVID POPE/Style Columnist
‘n’ STYLE & BEAUTY
Grit ‘n’ Glam Holiday Gift Guide Gift suggestions for everyone in your friend group, from sizable “spare no expense” gifts to thoughtful “a little something” presents! Don’t forget to like Grit ‘n’ Glam on Facebook for access to multimedia features and updates from Grit ‘n’ Glam! The Workaholic 1. Spare no expense: professional massage. Nothing mixes health, beauty and pleasure like a massage. The stress relieving properties of a massage will leave your overachieving friend refreshed, feeling good and looking spry. This gift is a perfect antidote to all the tension of the holiday season. 2. A little something: aromatherapy candles. Studies have shown that scents such as lavender decrease blood pressure and heart rate. With a cute note saying something to the effect of “Take it easy!” you can show you know how hard they work – and that they deserve a break. Bonus: they’ll think of you every time they light it. The Artsy-Fartsy 1. Spare no expense: art print. A print by one of their favorite artists shows that you actually were paying attention that time they ranted about the correlation between disestablishmentarianism and the postmodern movement in art. (www.allposters.com) 2. A little something: book of poetry. A small book of poetry will give your friend plenty of reason to curl up next to the fire this holiday season. Personalize with sticky notes designating your favorite poems with brief reasons why you like them. You’ll connect on a whole new level. The Fashionista 1. Spare no expense: gift card. It’s easy to take missteps when attempting to buy items of apparel for chic types. Instead, opt for a gift card to their favorite clothing store. Perhaps not very imaginative, but with a note saying “I’m taking you shopping!”, it’s just the gift they really wanted. 2. A little something: bath
gift set. Sets of bath products are extremely cheap and easy to find this time of year. Get one with pampering products like bath salts and practical staples like body wash and you’ve struck gift gold. ($525, department stores like WalMart have many on display during the holiday shopping season.) The Geek 1. Spare no expense: video game. Whether it’s the latest Skyrim expansion or the bazillionth Mario game, the dweeb in your life will love you forever and get hours of fun from your thoughtful gift. 2. A little something: Take them to see “The Hobbit.” “The Hobbit” comes out in theaters Dec. 14, and you should be the one they see it with. Buy their ticket and some buttery popcorn and they’ll thank you for the return to Middle-earth. This gift also gives you a chance to nerd out together over hobbits, dwarves and wizards. What’s not to love? ($6-12, local theaters.) The Do-Gooder 1. Spare no expense: give to charity. Donating money to a charity (such as Feeding America, which provides meals to the hungry) in their name shows you understand how important that issue is to them – and that you’re willing to invest in their passion. (www.feedingamerica.org) 2. A little something: inspirational stories. Jill Iscol and Peter W. Cookson’s “Hearts on Fire: Stories of Today’s Visionaries Igniting Idealism into Action” is a collection of true stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things to better our world. They’ll be inspired to keep working for their own goals by the rousing tales of kindness and social change. ($12, www.amazon.com.)
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