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LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 2011 fall edition of the LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs e-newsletter!
It is an exciting time on campus. At the beginning of every academic year we recommit ourselves to providing our students with the best opportunities available to enrich their educational experience. As our Tigers are currently ranked #1 on the field, we hope to produce Tigers who are winning in the classroom, in their leadership development, and in their social engagement. We continue to see our students excel in each of these areas as well as their own personal growth in teaching and educating others on issues of diversity.
As you will read, this semester has already been a busy one for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. While we have welcomed students at traditional programs such as Umoja and Harambe�, we have also added new programs such as expanded Hispanic Heritage Month events as well as co-sponsored the Hate Crimes Forum with a host of community allies. All of these programs are designed to provide our underrepresented student populations and the larger community with rich educational and cultural experiences.
Our e-newsletter is only a snapshot of many programs and services our office provides. I encourage you to visit our websites, including our newly redesigned Safe Space Campaign/LGBTQ Project website and African American Cultural Center website, for more information on any of our programs. We hope that you stay tuned for our next
e-newsletter. There are more exciting programs, events, and stories to share.
Love Purple, Live Gold.
Chaunda M. Allen
Chaunda M. Allen, MPA
Director
LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
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African American Cultural Center Update
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Progress Continues on New African American Cultural Center
After months of construction work below ground on the draining and infrastructure, we see the first visible signs of the new complex that will house the new African American Cultural Center. "We are excited to see the progress of the new structure! Every day we know that we are one day closer to providing our students, our campus, and larger community with a building that is reflective of African American culture and experiences," said Chaunda Allen, director of multicultural affairs.
In February, both the African American Cultural Center and Women's Center relocated to Hatcher Hall to make way for the expansion project. The relocation was officially completed with a Sherehe Ya Kuanzisha, traditional African Ground Blessing, on February 7. Once completed, the Centers will occupy the first floor of a mixed-use parking structure while maintaining their original footprints. The Centers will gain additional space under the new plan with both almost doubling their original square footage.
In addition to the mixed-use facility, the Bookstore will move out of its current location in the Student Union and occupy new space on the corner of Raphael Semmes and Highland Road.
"Once completed, this is going to be one of the most vibrant areas on campus. With two new Centers, a new Bookstore, and a recently renovated Student Union, there are endless possibilities for increased visibility as well as programming for our students," Allen said.
The project is slated to be completed in June 2012. Stay tuned for more updates! |
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Fresh Start
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LSU's National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Office of Multicultural Affairs' Genesis Mentoring Program partnered over the summer to create a new initiative designed to recruit new LSU students interested in NPHC with a built-in mentoring component. Fresh Start offers a series of programs focusing on the importance of academics, friendships, community service, and outreach. Over 80 freshmen and their parents were welcomed by Dean of Students Dr. K.C. White and Dr. Darrell Ray, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Director of First Year Experience. Other guest speakers included Cerise Edmonds, Coordinator for Cross-Cultural Affairs who discussed the Genesis Mentoring Program and services offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Hope McPhatter, Coordinator in the Student Health Center who shared the services and resources provided by the LSU Student Health Center. The participants also participated in a Community Bound volunteer service project and an evening social with NPHC members.
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Harambe�
On September 8 students, faculty, and staff joined the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Campus Life, and the African American Cultural Center in celebrating African American student life and fostering connections among African-American students. Harambe�, Swahili for "coming together," showcased many of our talented LSU students. The event opened up with a saxophone solo by Dominique Dangerfield, followed by "Lift Every Voice and Sing" performed by Taylor James-Lightner. A special tribute was held honoring Victoria Archangel, coordinator for Freshman Year Experience in the E. J. Ourso College of Business and Dr. Julian White, first African American professor at LSU.
The night continued with a special performance by the LSU Tiger Girls followed by this year's keynote speaker, Nikki Caldwell, LSU's Women's Basketball Head Coach. Other student performances included a unity step by members of LSU's NPHC organizations; De-Andr� Beadle and Theodore Williams with spoken word pieces; a traditional African hymn by Elizabeth Mays from F.E.N.A.J.I.M; and a dance by Legacy. Immediately after the show, attendees enjoyed a dessert reception throughout the LSU Student Union second floor and a sneak peek at the Student Union Art Gallery's "The Emancipated Figure: Contemporary Reflections" exhibition.
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Umoja
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Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. perform during Umoja
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An annual welcome back celebration for freshman, transfer, and returning students sponsored by the LSU African American Cultural Center, Umoja is comprised of a student organization fair and an outdoor jamboree where fellow Tigers can enjoy food, fun, and networking. This year, 15 student organizations including Black Student Union, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Spectrum, NPHC, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, and NAACP provided information on their respective organizations to interested students. The AACC Ambassadors also provided tours of the AACC's temporary space on the 3rd floor of Hatcher Hall, while the DJ kept the afternoon festive and fun!
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Hate Crimes Forum
The Hate Crimes Public Forum was held on September 22 to discuss current hate crimes legislation, particularly the positive and negative impacts such legislation has on society, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. The forum was co-sponsored by the LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs' Safe Space Campaign/Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Project and Spectrum, the LSU student organization for LGBTQ students and their allies; along with OUTlaw of the LSU Law Center; Capital City Alliance; Forum For Equality; Gay Alliance for Legal Equality of the Southern Law Center; Baton Rouge Pride Inc. and the Metropolitan Community Church of Baton Rouge.
"This forum is an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate with other LGBTQ organizations in the area," explained Shane Cone, president of Spectrum. "It is a clear example of the ability of the LGBTQ community in Baton Rouge to work together and successfully educate the community."
The panel opened with comments by Chaunda Allen, director of the LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs and was facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service Specialist Reatta Fort�. Other panelists included FBI officials; Rev. Steve J. Crump, senior minister at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge; Jack Harrison, a juvenile public defender for East Baton Rouge Parish; and Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, from the Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance.
"This is just one very small part of a wider conversation on safety, civil rights and social justice," said Bruce Parker of Capital City Alliance and the LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs.
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LSU students dance with members of HSCS during the Hispanic Cultural Showcase
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Hispanic Heritage Month Events The Hispanic Student Cultural Society (HSCS) kicked off a series of Hispanic Heritage events with Fiesta Night in on September 21 in The 5 and 459 Dining Halls. Sponsored by LSU Dining, the dining halls were transformed with fiesta decorations and DJs playing Latin music while students, faculty, and staff enjoyed authentic Hispanic foods like Cuban sandwiches, yucca, plantains, arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), do-it-yourself quesadillas, and pineapple and watermelon aguas frescas (fresh waters). On Sept. 23, HSCS hosted the annual Hispanic Cultural Showcase sponsored by LSU Student Government-Programming, Support, and Initiatives Fund (PSIF). The LSU community enjoyed music by DJ Calde and the band 'Las Ranas' (The Froggies) as they danced with members of HSCS. Students enjoyed a dance-off after learning a few steps and one lucky couple walked away with a pi�ata stuffed with candy. To round out the events, HSCS hosted Zumba night on Sept. 28 in the Student Union. Zumba is the new fitness craze based on Latin dance that has taken over the LSU campus. Participants danced their way through a 30 minute workout led by a Zumba certified instructor. "It was a great opportunity to bond with friends and to meet new people," said Estefania Reichard, vice-president of HSCS. "We hope to continue our events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month not just September 15 - October 15, but year round," she said. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allies Student Leadership Training Spectrum, the student organization for LGBTQ students and their allies at LSU, hosted a half-day leadership training on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The training was open to all students, but was designed for students who are currently in leadership roles on campus and in the community. Approximately 30 students participated in the training. Participants ranged from Spectrum officers, LGBTQ Project First Contact Peer Contacts, and students who serve as classroom and training panelists. LSU faculty and administrators also provided portions of the training along with local community leaders. |
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The Office of Multicultural Affairs proudly announces two of our new and improved websites:
Safe Space Campaign/LGBTQ Project
www.lsu.edu/safespace
African American Cultural Center
www.lsu.edu/aacc
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Coming Out Day
Sponsored by Spectrum
Tuesday, October 11, 2011; 11 am - 1 pm; Free Speech Plaza
Multicultural Student Leadership Conference
Sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, Residential Life, and LSU Student Government-Programming, Support, and Initiatives Fund
Saturday, October 29; 9 am - 4 pm; LSU Student Union
Registration is now available at www.lsu.edu/aacc
MLK Dance Ensemble Tryouts
Sunday, October 30; 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm; UREC
AACC Homecoming Event
Thursday, November 10; TBA
AACC Homecoming Tailgate
Saturday, November 12; 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Emerging Leaders Challenge Closing Ceremony
Wednesday, November 16; 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm; Ballroom
Genesis Tutoring's "Smart As A Cookie" Week
November 14 - November 18; 11 am - 1 pm; Free Speech Alley
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MLK Commemorative Committee Meetings
Every Monday, 4:30 pm
Tchoupitoulas Room, 4th floor LSU Student Union
Black History Month Committee Meetings
Every Wednesday, 4:30 pm
Kaplan Center, 1st floor LSU Student Union
Genesis Tutoring
Monday - Thursday, 5 pm - 9 pm
Office of Multicultural Affairs' Tutoring Center, Room 302G
Tutoring is offered in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Spanish, and French
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225-578-4339 office/225-578-7135 fax
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