Office Of Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) was established in 2002 to support the College’s efforts to attract, recruit, and serve both students of color and international students. Our mission is to create and sustain an environment that encourages and embraces the contributions of people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The ALANA Network would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for your continued support.

ALANA NETWORK MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 19, 2009

HIV/AIDS Awareness Week
- AIDS Project Worcester will be hosting an event on World's AIDS day at the YWCA on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 5:00-8:00PM
- This is an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community.
- Transportation will be provided by Brenda in order for that to occur at least 20 students must sign-up

Rent
- Will be shown on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in the Hagan Campus Center Hall approximately at 9PM
- This movie promotes HIV awareness
- We encourage all to attend if you haven't seen the movie already

Advancing Green Building Internship
- The program is open mainly to minority students and is intended to promote minority involvement in green building and other sustainability efforts
- This is an opportunity for those seeking employment that you don't want to miss out on

Graduate Newspaper Fellowship and Apprenticeship for Minorities
- This program aims to attract members of the minority community with truly outstanding qualifications and the potential to make significant contributions to the field of newspaper journalism and increase the number of minority journalists in the country.
- This will be taken place at Syracuse University and it is one of the best programs for students who are pursuing degrees in journalism, and public affairs
- If you plan on signing up you are more likely to get in because not a lot of minority students signs up for this type of program
- For more information stop by the Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Brochures and Contact Info is in the Office

Other On-Campus Events
- Campus Ministry: Start 2 Retreat on November 20-22
- CAB: Late Night at Charlie's Band "Title Fight" tonight at 9Pm

Open Forum
- Skin Color
- Tracy came up with the idea to discuss skin color and what were your thoughts and opinions on it
- Skin Color plays a valubale role in each and everyone's culture and in society

Monday, November 16, 2009

THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY PRESENTS: AN (UN)CIVIL ACTION?: VIOLENT POLITICS IN 1920s WORCESTER

What was the KKK doing in Worcester in the 1920s? Join historian John McClymer for a film_and-discussion program about civic violence in American politics.

Sponsored by: Mass Humanities, Assumption College, Worcester Historical Museum, American Antiquarian Society

An (Un)Civil Action?: Violent Politics in 1920s Worcester

A film–and-discussion program about civic violence in American politics moderated by historian John McClymer

November 21, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Testa Science Center Auditorium,

Assumption College, Worcester

In 1920s Worcester, violent political action appears to have been an option. On October 19, 1924, months of back-and-forth political intimidation climaxed in a night-long riot that followed a heavily protected Ku Klux Klan meeting at the Worcester Fairgrounds. When, four years later, on Nov. 5, 1928 a pre-election Hoover victory parade of 8,000 marched down Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, some 10,000 opposition supporters attacked the marchers. The ensuing riot lasted for hours also.


Learn more about this and discuss how we might think of revolution, riot, rebellion, raid, and rout as part of politics and society. This program will also feature excerpts from the documentary, John Brown's Holy War and a discussion of Brown's choice for armed conflict.

This event, presented by Mass Humanities in collaboration with Assumption College, the Worcester Historical Museum, and the American Antiquarian Society, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit: www.masshumanities.org.

Northampton-based Mass Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, both of which fund the grant program. Mass Humanities conducts and supports projects that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to strengthen and enhance civic life across the Commonwealth. For further information about initiatives, grant deadlines, and awarded grants, visit: www.masshumanities.org.

LE PROVOCATEUR: MUTLICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #5

I grew up in a household with a strong sense of cultural pride. My parents were always proud to say they were Haitian and constantly reminded me that I was Haitian-American. At home, my mom spoke to me in her native Creole and French, and we always had Haitian food for dinner. Being Haitian has shaped the individual I am today because a lot of my values come from my parents and what they were taught in their homeland. I never understood why my parents were so proud of where they came from until I learned the history of their country, the place that they refer to as home; Haiti.

Haiti [hey-tee] or Ayiti [i-e-tee], which means mountainous land in the Taino Arawaks' native's language, is located in the Caribbean and makes up one-third of the island of Hispaniola. French is the official language of Haiti because it was colonized by the French, but Creole, a language made up of mostly broken French, with Spanish and Taino Arawaks' native language influences, is spoken by all. Enslaved Africans were brought to the country by the French to work on the sugarcane fields and by the 1730's empires were built, making Haiti one of the main suppliers of sugar, along with Jamaica. As a result of the influx of enslaved Africans, the natives were nearly wiped out, making Haiti a predominantly black country. In 1790, enslaved people united the leadership of Toussaint L' Overture to fight off the French, and later gained their independence in 1804. This made Haiti the first Black Republic in the world and sparked revolutions within enslaved nations elsewhere, including neighboring Dominican Republic, who fought off the Spanish with the help of the Haitians.

Although Haiti was the first Black Republic in the world, many people did not consider the country to be independent because the enslaved people were not allowed to learn how to read or write. In addition, Haiti remains an under-acknowledged country because many people are unaware of its history. Haiti is always associated with poverty, Voodoo and violence, so I could not understand why my parents were still so proud to say they were from Haiti. The depictions of the slums of the country on TV, as well as the constant reminder that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has clouded my perceptions of Haiti. Nevertheless, I have seen many pictures and visited the country four times and I have realized that my parents' country of origin is not what I see on TV.
Haiti might be the poorest country in the western hemisphere, but it is a country rich in culture. Food, dance, music and Voodoo are all embedded in the history of Haiti. Haitian food is mildly spicy and cooked with Taino Arawak cooking styles, Spanish food influences, French names and tweaked recipes, while maintaining an African twist. Haitian dances either mix European ballroom dancing with Spanish musical influences to Konpa (a Haitian musical genre) or come straight from the Voodoo dances. Voodoo, which many people think is bad, is a religion deeply rooted in the Haitian culture. Voodoo has many Christian influences because Europeans associated it with the devil and refused to let the enslaved Africans practice their original Voodoo. The new religion brought a new form of dancing called Ra Ra to the culture. Food, dance, and music are found, and whether it is Ra Ra or Konpa, throughout Haiti and Haitian people always find the right way to celebrate with family and close friends.

Haitian people are very proud of their culture and they share it by celebrating. Whether they cook or dance, or do both, celebrating is the way the Haitian people share their hospitality. Sharing is caring in Haiti, and through food, dance and music Haitians not only share their hospitality, but they share their history. I learned quickly that when something happens, whether it is a first communion or birthday party, we must celebrate, but I never realized how rooted celebrating was to the beginning of Haiti's history. Many accomplishments live through the food, dance, and music of Haiti and the celebrating is much more than the occasion, but a gateway to the past and hope for the future of Haiti.

My parents are proud because their culture is rich, their history is grand and their lives would not have influenced me so much if they were not from Haiti. The truth behind my ethnicity is neither what is being taught in the history books nor what is said by many, but it is the unheard stories and unknown facts about Haiti. My parents have taught me to be proud of who I am and where they come from because without knowing your history you cannot know yourself. Haiti is much more than the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It is a place of love, rich culture and extensive history. Haiti has influenced the American culture and many other cultures across the world, but, most importantly, it has influenced me as an individual. I realize now that no matter what people may say about Haiti or the Haitian culture, unless they know the truth about our history, they know nothing at all.

Tracy Noncent '11

Public Relations, ALANA Network

ALANA NETWORK MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 12, 2009

November 13, 2009

Sleep Out

- Reach out Center is hosting this event.
- Opportunity to experience what it's like to be homeless.
- Make sure you bring a sleeping bag, blanket, bottle of water, and a deck of cards.
- For more information Contact Kim Cohen at kcohen@assumption.edu
- 25,000 people are homeless every night in Worcester
- It is a great opportunity and I encourage all to attend thanks.

HIV/AIDS Week

- Screening of the movie Rent
- Promotes awareness of HIV
- 1 in 5 people have HIV and don't even know it
- Social Health and Responsibility Education(SHARE) is hosting this event
- Free HIV testing on Tuesday, December 2, 2009 from 10:30AM-2:00PM AIDS Project Worcester will be administering the test. I encourage all to come out and support the cause.
- Info Booth be on the lookout for that. They will be handing out red candy and red ribbons
- Painting Charlie's red with different statistics from different countries with people living with HIV/AIDS
- General Meetings Every other Monday at 6PM in Student Health Services
Open Forum

- Feedback about the ALANA Network
- Racial Healing Discussion to address the issue
- Supporting each other by reading articles in the Provoc by E-board members
- Advocate the mission and telling others what we do to promote cultural awareness

Miscellaneous Info:

- Sign up for the Fashion Show is next week
- 70 Spots are available for models make sure you sign up in the Office of
Multicultural Affairs because spots do fill up fast
- E-mail will be sent out regarding more information on the Fashion Show be on the lookout for that
- You don't want to miss out on this spectacular event I encourage all to attend thank you.

Monday, November 9, 2009

ALANA MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 6, 2009

ALANA Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2009

On November 5 the ALANA Network met in the Student Activities Resource Room here are the minutes from the meeting.

Spotlight

Peers Advocating Wellness for Students (PAWS)
Jenna McGrath, President
Lauren Trapasso, Vice President

• Sexual Health Awareness Education
• STD Protection focusing on HIV and AIDS on a Global scale
• T-shirts will be available it will say I Right on it to promote awareness in support of HIV and AIDS

• Discuss statistics, risks of HIV, and to decrease the stigma that comes along with the disease

• 1 in 5 have HIV and don’t know it
• December 1- December 3, 2009 this will be taking place
• Info Booth giving out Red Candy and Ribbons be on the lookout for that
• Free HIV Testing on Tuesday, December 2, 2009 from 10:30AM-2:00PM in Student Health Services and the host is AIDS Project Worcester

• Giving away free t-shirts raffles, and painting Charlie’s red with statistics from different countries. If you want to participate contact Jenna McGrath or Lauren Trapasso at ltrapasso@assumption.edu or jmcgrath@assumption.edu .

• Showing Movie Rent the film promotes HIV
• Sex Box where you can put questions, comments, or concerns regarding HIV and AIDS. It is confidential.

• General Meetings are held every other Monday at 6PM in Student Health Services

• I encourage all to participate in the cause to promote awareness about HIV and AIDS.



Independent Living and Life Skills

• Four week seminar held in the Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Preparation for life after college such as doing resumes, cover letters, and searching out the right career based upon your personality type.

• Prepares you on how to life a stable lifestyle while entering the workforce

• I encourage all to participate it is a great opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on.

• Contact Natonia Trammell at ntrammell@assumption.edu or Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu for more questions or concerns that you may have.

• November 2-23, 2009. It is from 10:30-11:30AM (November 2, November 13, and November 16). Mark these dates on your calendar.


Platanos and Collard Greens

• Bus will leave at 2PM in front of the Plourde Recreation Center
• The play is over at 4:30PM and will arrive at Assumption College no later than 5:45PM

• We are only seeing the play and not attending the conference.
• Come out and support Clark University thanks.

Monday, November 2, 2009

AND NOW A WORD FROM YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER



As seen in the latest issue of Deanmail at Assumption College:

"And Now a Word from Your Future Employer"

"It is advising time, and Assumption's students are thinking about selecting courses for Spring 2010. They are gathering information from sources good, bad, and indifferent.

(By the way, what would be a good source? Faculty advisors and department chairs, college websites like ours at <http://www1.assumption.edu/advising/>, academic catalogs, advice from Career Services. What would be bad? Ratemyprofessor.com, jaded upperclassmen, word of mouth, lore, cranky anecdote. What's indifferent? Facebook acquaintances, MySpace buddies, well-meaning but uninformed friends at other colleges and universities. Some students may even be consulting -- or at least hearing from -- their parents, which may be good or bad, but is rarely indifferent.)

But one voice is not generally consulted: employers. What do your future employers suggest you take?

In 2006, the American Association of College and Universities commissioned Peter D. Hart and Associates to ask a wide variety of employers what fields they'd like higher education to "place more emphasis" on teaching. Here are some of the topics and skills employers wished their college-educated job applicants had more of:

1. 82% of respondents, the biggest percentage in the study, named science and technology as something colleges needed to place more emphasis on. Maybe that science requirement isn't so bad. Taken a computer science course yet?

2. Teamwork skills in diverse groups and intercultural competence were tied at 76% of respondents. What courses expose you to other cultures and ways of being, and which involve some group work or team projects? Ever taken an Anthropology course? It's a global economy. Have you started a language yet?

3. A whopping 73% of employers wanted job applicants to be better at written and oral communication and critical thinking and analytic reasoning. These go together. We know that clear, critical thinking comes from reading, writing, and speaking about complex things, and getting critical response from other people. ENG130 and LTE140 are our starter courses in this regard, and if you are a first year student you ought to be enrolling in one or the other this spring. Upperclassmen: have you taken a Writing Emphasis course yet? Ever considered Speech? What's on offer that might stretch you in this regard?

4. Integrative Learning, which for the purposes of this study means "applied knowledge in real-world settings," was named by 73% of the participating employers as something they wanted to see in their job applicants' resumes. Have you taken a Community Service Learning course yet? Done an internship for credit? Studied abroad? All these options link learning in the classroom to experiences outside.

(For complete findings of this study, see www.aacu.org/leap <http://www.aacu.org/leap>.)

I wish you all the best as you inform yourself, and make your choices. Getting a job is not the be-all and end-all of a liberal arts education. But it turns out that what we are really best at teaching is what employers are crying for. Get ready."

Eloise Knowlton, Ph.D.

Dean of Undergraduate Studies,

Assumption College.

ALANA MEETING MINUTES- OCTOBER 29,2009

ALANA Meeting Minutes

October 30, 2009

On October 29,2009 the ALANA Network met in the Student Activities Resource Room here are the minutes from the meeting.

Good Hair

· Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009

· Time: 1:00PM

· Venue: Springfield, Mass

· Departure: Plourde Recreation Center Bus Stop departure will be at 1:00PM.

Transportation and tickets will be covered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Independent Living and Life Skills Program

· Date: Monday, November 2 -23, 2009

· Time: 10:30-11:30AM (November 2nd, November 13th, and November 16th)

· Venue: The Office of Multicultural Affairs

· Please feel free to sign-up and contact Natonia Trammell for more information at ntrammell@assumption.edu

7th Annual Millennium Leadership Conference

· Date: Friday-Sunday, November 6-8, 2009

· Venue: Clark University

· Designated to cultivate the inherent leadership qualities of college students who identify as ALANA through a series of workshops and presentations.

· More Info- http://www.clarku.edu/offices/academicadvancement/millennium.cfm

Other On-Campus Events

· Students for Safe Choices: Friday is Pub Night in Charlie’s. Halloween Palooza will take place from 9PM-12AM. There will be “Boo Bingo” and prizes for the best costume.

· CAB Fear: The Ultimate Game show, November 5th at 8PM. It is a mix between jeopardy and fear factor. Winter Ball Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 6th, 2009 for seniors from 12:00 to 4 and Wednesday, November 7th, 2009 for juniors from 1-4PM

· Reach Out Center: NEADS afternoon Puppy Petting on November 11th. Contact Molly Eastman at neastman@assumption.edu to participate.

Miscellaneous Information

· Independent Living and Life Skills Program will be a four week seminar. You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Natonia Trammell at ntrammell@assumption.edu or Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu Thanks.

Creative Commons License ALANA Network Official Blog by Usen Esiet is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at thealananetwork.blogspot.com.