Fall 2014 Multicultural Newsletter

M ULTICULTURAL NEWSLETTER F ALL 2014 E DITION A BOUT THE M ULTICULTURAL N EWSLETTER ...

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.

atmosphere and events present not only on the Ripon College campus, but around the United States and the world.

The ultimate hope of this newsletter is that the reader (s) will find him/herself more aware of the cultural

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MISA

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LGBTQ+ C OMMUNITY

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M AYA A NGELOU : C ENTER FOR D IVERSITY A ND I N-

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L A U NIDA

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I NTERNATIONAL M ONTH

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S TUDENT O RG S POTLIGHT

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U PCOMING

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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.

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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.

I NTERNATIONAL M ONTH 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 international 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] knowing 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 wedding 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.

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MULTICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

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.

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.

U PCOMING EVENTS & HOLIDAYS

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: withersk@ripon.edu

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.

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Martin Luther King Jr Day January 19

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Chinese New Year February 19

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MLK Week 2015 January 25-January 31

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Women's History Month in March

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Home Away from Home group dinner February 3 5pm

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Easter April 5

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Passover April 4-11

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CDC Culture Week April 4-12

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International Dinner April 12

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1st day of Ridvan April 21

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Black History Month in February (Black Voices) Ash Wednesday February 18

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E DITORS NOTE !

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

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

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

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.