Diversity Week 2009 – Oct. 5-9

The Unity Center and the Dialogue on Diversity Committee invite your participation in the fifth annual Rhode Island College Diversity Week.

Diversity Week provides shared learning opportunities designed to increase awareness, disseminate knowledge, and develop skills and perspectives that will strengthen our campus community, broaden our understanding of diversity and promote mutual respect.

Monday, October 5

10:00–11:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony
Join the vice president for student affairs and the coordinator of the Unity Center for coffee, tea and dialogue about the growing diversity of the Rhode Island College community.
Adams Library, Reinhardt Room

3:00–5:00 p.m.
“That’s So Gay!”
Presented by Youth Pride RI
An interactive workshop with strategies for identifying and reducing trans/bi/homophobia. Discussion of the discrimination, social stigmatization, and isolation of LGBTQQ students, including facts and statistics.
Unity Center

6:00–8:00 p.m.
Festival of Praise: A Song and Dance Celebration
Sponsored by Women of Color and Hispanic Heritage RI
Featuring Aris Garcia, Trompetista
Cultural and worship music from various religious denominations
Gaige Auditorium

8:00–10:00 p.m.
Meet Your Campus Queers
Sponsored by RIC Rainbow Alliance
Meet, greet, relax, converse
Student Union 307

Tuesday, October 6

12:15–1:15 p.m.
First in Her Class: A Page from the Archives
Presented by Marlene Lopes, College Archivist
When did the first person of color graduate from Rhode Island College? A search through the college’s archives for the answer to this deceptively simple question.
Adam Library 409, Fortes Room

4:00–6:00 p.m.
What to Do When Stopped by the Police
Sponsored by NABLEO
Presented by Officer Charles Wilson
Q&A with attorney Mike Fontaine
Discussion: Gates vs. Crowley, the Cambridge Arrest
Alger 110

6:00–8:00 p.m.
Film: “John Trudell”
Sponsored by the Department of Elementary Education and L.I.F.E. (Live. Inspire. Fight. Educate.)
Story of the Indian justice activist/artist who became one of the FBI’s most wanted. The film illuminates the civil rights struggles during the 1970s at the height of the American Indian Movement.
The Unity Center

Wednesday, October 7

12:30–2:00 p.m.
Second Annual International Attire Day
Sponsored by Student Union
Represent your traditional heritage or culture of choice by wearing fashions or accessories from around the world

Multicultural Gathering and Exchange
The perfect event to showcase your international attire!
Sponsored by L.I.F.E. (Live. Inspire. Fight. Educate.)
Students and faculty share their cultures through music, dance, songs, and storytelling
Light refreshments
Student Union Ballroom

Chainsaw Sculpture
Sponsored by Student Activities
Environmental artist Michael Higgins sculpts a gift for The Unity Center
On the Quad/Raindate Oct. 14

Thursday, October 8

9:00–11:00 a.m.
BYOB (Break Your Own Bread)
Bring your culture’s favorite bread (and spread), enough to share. Complimentary coffee and tea.
The Unity Center

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer Expo
Sponsored by the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development
Myriad community service agencies present opportunities for volunteerism and civic engagement
On the Quad (Student Union Ballroom if it rains)

6:00–7:30 p.m.
"COME LET US BUILD A NEW WORLD TOGETHER":
Africana Studies and the Fate of the Humanities
Sponsored by OASPA
Presented by Corey D. B. Walker, Associate Professor, Department of Africana Studies, Brown University
Alger 110

“Potty Talk”: Understanding the Need for Unisex Bathrooms
Presented by Elizabeth Rowell, Professor, Department of Elementary Education, Rhode Island College
Film: “Toilet Training”
Adam Library 409, Fortes Room

7:00–9:30 p.m.
The Links Within the Fabric: A Dialogue on Race
Sponsored by Harambee and L.I.F.E. (Live. Inspire. Fight. Educate.)
Students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members
are invited and encouraged to join this open forum discussion of diversity
with a focus on racial justice and its intersections with other forms of oppression
Student Union Ballroom

Friday, October 9

8:30–10:30 a.m.
BYOB (Break Your Own Bread)
Henry Barnard School
Lecture and book signing with Norah Dooley, author of “Everybody Bakes Bread, Everybody Cooks Rice,” and “Everybody Serves Soup”

9:00 a.m.-noon
Universal Design for Learning: A Faculty Workshop
Presented by Mark Gunning, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, Rhode Island College, and Deborah Abruzzini ’80, Master Teacher, Sherlock Center on Disabilities
(RSVP by Oct. 2 to Elaine Sollecito – esollecito@ric.edu )
Breakfast included
President's Dining Room, Donovan Dining Center

Noon–2:00 p.m.
National Coming Out Day: Because the Closet Is a Horrible Place to Hide!
Celebrate the 30th year of the Rainbow Alliance
On the Quad

3:30–4:30 p.m.
Closing Ceremony
Student Union Ballroom

4:00–5:30 p.m.
Infusion Experience (free concert)
Original Flamenco Afro-Cuban Groove
On the Quad

Diversity Week Open Classes

Monday and Wednesday, October 5 and 7
11:00 a.m.–12:20 p.m., Gaige 211
History 340: Muslim World from the Age of Muhammad to 1800
David Thomas, Professor, Department of History, Rhode Island College

Tuesday, October 6
10:30–11:40 a.m., Horace Mann 183
Early Childhood Education 423: The Importance of Using GLT Friendly Picture Books with Young Children
Elizabeth Rowell, Professor, Department of Elementary Education, Rhode Island College

5:15–6:40 p.m., Horace Mann 183
Elementary Education 261: One Man’s Quest for Disability Rights in a Non-Western Country
Elizabeth Rowell

Wednesday, October 7
5:15–6:40 p.m., Horace Mann 183
Elementary Education 509: Using Transgender and GL Picture Books with
Young Children
Elizabeth Rowell

Tuesday and Thursday, October 6 and 8
2:00–3:50 p.m., Gaige 211
History 266: Globalization in Historical Perspective since 1500
David Thomas

Events are free and open to the public.

Reasonable accommodation for disabilities on request.

For more information on Diversity Week events stop by The Unity Center located in the lower level of the Donovan Dining Center (456-8255) or visit our webpage www.ric.edu/unitycenter for the latest information on events.

Diversity Week poster

Date Posted: September 9, 2009

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Diversity Week 2009 – Oct. 5-9