Mountaineers from near and far will celebrate diversity in true West Virginia University fashion during Diversity Week.
Musical performances, workshops, soccer games, festivals and lectures are among the more than 60 events that will be held on WVU’s campus Oct. 16-21. This year’s theme is Celebrating Diversity WVU Style.
“This week is an opportunity for Mountaineers everywhere to celebrate the richness of cultures both on campus and off,” said Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer for social justice. “There is so much diversity at WVU, and it is important for students and the community to recognize the values and significance of everyone.”
In an effort to promote wellness within the WVU community, this year’s schedule also includes many activities tailored toward mental and physical health. The week was collaboratively planned by the WVU President’s Office for Social Justice and a committee comprised of faculty and staff members across campus.
A celebration in honor of the Indian festival of lights, called Diwali, will kick off the week on Saturday (Oct. 16). The day includes a children’s program put on by the Indian Student Association, a dinner at Hatfields and a fashion show with Bollywood dancers in the evening.
Through the “Journey Series,” held throughout the week, the WVU community will have the opportunity to hear as students from Zambia, Kenya, Vietnam, Italy and others talk about their journeys to Morgantown.
The 2010 Diversity Week schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Oct. 16:
• “Keep the Faith:” Fairness West Virginia 2010 Conference, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., room 101A-B at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy; more information at http://www.fairnesswv.org
• Diwali children’s program, 3 p.m., Mountainlair ballrooms
• 2010 Diwali celebration dinner, 5 p.m., Hatfields
• Diwali celebration, 7 p.m., Mountainlair ballrooms; fashion show, Bollywood dancers and more; tickets may be purchased prior to the event in the Mountainlair
• Primal Cool Band at WVUp All Night, 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., Mountainlair food court
Sunday, Oct. 17:
• Mini World Cup soccer tournament, 2:30 p.m., Mountainlair plaza
Monday, Oct. 18:
• International Festival, 10 a.m., Mountainlair ballrooms; a celebration of the many cultures that make WVU unique. The event features customs and traditions from students’ native lands.
• Amizade information and activities, 10 a.m., Mountainlair commons
• School of Nursing display on programs/events with global impact, 11 a.m., in front of Health Sciences Center cafeteria
• Mini Step Show, 12 p.m., Mountainlair commons
• Positive Spin, 12 p.m., Mountainlair commons; information about an organization that raises funds for recycling bicycles
• “My Journey, My Story,” 4 p.m., Laurel Room in Mountainlair; a student will share her journey from Zambia to Morgantown.
• Safe Zone training (faculty and staff), 5 p.m., Shenanadoah Room in Mountainlair; a workshop on fostering an atmosphere of support and celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals on campus.
• “Echoes from the Mountains,” 6 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; tales of historical and social context of life in the Appalachian Mountains.
Tuesday, Oct. 19:
• “How to Start an Exercise Program,” 11 a.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; a student will answer questions about how to start a home or gym exercise routine.
• Center for Excellence in Disability display of programs, 11 a.m., in front of Health Sciences Center cafeteria
• “The Diversity Rationale: What it Means and Why it Matters” webinar, 11 a.m.; register online at http://elearn.wvu.edu/info .
• African Dance Ensemble, 12 p.m., Mountainlair commons
• Safe Zone training (students), 12 p.m., Shenandoah Room in Mountainlair; a workshop on fostering an atmosphere of support and celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals on campus.
• “The Horse: The Great Equalizer,” 2 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; an overview of the benefits of therapeutic riding for people with disabilities.
• “Creating Diversity and New Knowledge: The African History Program at WVU,” 3 p.m., Monongahela Room of the Mountainlair; a presentation about WVU’s African History Program.
• “Choosing Healthy Snacks,” 4 p.m., Shenandoah Room in the Mountainlair
• “Going to Kenya and back in 45 minutes,” 4 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; a student will share his journey from Kenya to Morgantown.
• “Vietnam- Land of Peace,” 5 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; two students will share their journey from Vietnam to Morgantown.
• Zumba exercise class, 5 p.m., Mountaineer Room in Mountainlair.
• “Combat to College: Focusing on Military Women and their Families,” 5:30 p.m., Mountainlair ballrooms; discussion of issues affecting military women and their families, a reception will follow.
• “HIV – The College Connection,” 6 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; a talk about the risks of HIV for college students and how students can protect themselves.
• “Experience Diversity While Studying Abroad,” 6 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; A panel of American and international students will share their study abroad experiences.
• “Blindsight,” 7 p.m., Gluck Theatre; movie showing six blind Tibetan teenagers’ journey to climb Mt. Everest.
• “Self Preservation of Minority Cultures: A Cultural Analysis Using Jewish Law as a Case Study,” 8 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; presentation on the relationship between law and culture and the preservation of minority traditions.
Wednesday, Oct. 20:
• 23rd Annual Women of Color Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Mountainlair ballrooms; ticket information and more online at www.as.wvu.edu/cwc .
• School of Medicine global medicine display, 11 a.m., in front of Health Sciences Center cafeteria.
• Juggling Show, 12 p.m., Mountainlair commons
• “Islam around the World,” 2 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; discover the global face and common misconceptions about Islam, the way of life of nearly one in four people in the world.
• International Games, 3 p.m., Eiesland Hall; students from more than 15 countries will demonstrate and teach games from their own cultures.
• “Naughty Neighbors?what NOT to do while a student at WVU,” 4 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; presentation of local laws and ordinances in Morgantown.
• “Every Adversity is an Opportunity,” 5 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; a student will share his journey from Bolivia to WVU.
• Bellydance Club, 5 p.m., Gold Ballroom in Towers; introduction to bellydancing, open to the public.
• Native American Studies poetry reading, 5:30 p.m., room 103 in Colson Hall
• “Modern Approach to an Old Tradition: Hoops for fitness at all ages,” 6 p.m., Gold Ballroom in Towers
• “Amizade: Passport to Social Change,” 6 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; a journey around the world to experience what other students did in their travels. Finish the journey and receive a $50 credit toward an Amizade program.
• “Stupid Things Done While Drinking,” 6 p.m., Shenandoah Room in the Mountainlair; a presentation on negative consequences and results of alcohol use and ways for students to be safe.
• “Got Tats,” 7 p.m., Blue Ballroom in Towers; presentation on tattoos and body piercing.
• Global Perspectives on Women and Gender, 7:30 p.m., Laurel Room in Mountainlair; women from around the world will share information about social issues involving women and children in their native lands.
• “Let’s Talk about Sex,” 8 p.m., Blue Ballroom in Towers; gender difference addressed in communication.
Thursday, Oct. 21:
• “Hearts of Gold,” 10 a.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; how golden retrievers are trained and used for service.
• “The headscarf. Who wears it? Why do they wear it? Is it oppression?” 11 a.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair.
• School of Pharmacy display of events/programs with global impact, 11 a.m., in front of the Health Sciences Center cafeteria.
• WVU Extension in Mexico display, 11:30 a.m., in front of Gluck Theatre
• “A Day Without a Mexican,” 11:30 a.m., Gluck Theatre; a film about a day without a single Latino left in California and the chaos, tragedy and comedy that ensued.
• Peace Tree Ceremony, 11:30 a.m., between Elizabeth Moore Hall and Martin Hall on WVU’s downtown campus. Rain location is Vandalia Lounge.
• Swing Dance, 12 p.m., Mountainlair commons
• Privilege Walk, 1 p.m. Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; excerpts of a film chronicling the journey of a diverse group of students.
• “American Football 101,” 2 p.m., Shenandoah Room in the Mountainlair
• “Tracing My Roots to Over 100 Years,” 2 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; a student will share her journey, including the story of her great-great grandfather who came to the U.S. as a slave.
• “From Sea Roads to Country Roads,” 3 p.m., Laurel Room in the Mountainlair; a student will share her journey from Italy to Morgantown.
• International Tea, 4 p.m., Elizabeth Moore Hall; students from Kansai Gaidai University will demonstrate the Japanese Tea Ceremony and teas from a variety of countries will be served.
• “Tackling the Tailgating,” 4 p.m., Mountaineer Room in the Mountainlair; learn ways for enjoying a healthy snack before a football game.
• “Starting the Conversation,” 4 p.m., Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair; lecture addressing unconscious assumptions about people who are different and effective cross-cultural communication skills.
• “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and Don’t Teach: The hidden history of the LGBT communities,” 5 p.m., Shenandoah Room in the Mountainlair; brief overview of LGBT history and violence.
• “Who owns the past? Siouan Indian Peoples in Virginia and West Virginia,” 5:30 p.m., room 459 of the Business and Economics Building; presentation on the culture and history of Siouan-speaking tribes.
• “Out in the Silence,” 7 p.m., Lugar Courtroom at the WVU College of Law; award winning documentary illustrating the experiences of gay youth exposed to bigotry growing up in rural Appalachia.
For more information, visit http://socialjustice.wvu.edu/diversity_week_2010 .
-WVU-
cd/10/13/10
CONTACT: Sharon Mallow, President’s Office for Social Justice
304-293-5496 ext. 4572, Sharon.Mallow@mail.wvu.edu