Week of
February 27–March 3, 2023
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SOCIAL EQUITY & TITLE IX DIGEST
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| WEEKLY WORDS TO PONDER
“. . . For when you honor yesterday, tomorrow ye will find. Know what we’ve fought, need not be forgot nor for none. It defines us, binds us as one; come over, join this day just begun. For wherever we come together, we will forever overcome.”
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IUP Values Me
Student Spotlight: Trajan Jones
Trajan is a regional planning major with a geography minor and will graduate this May as part of the Promising Scholars program. He is an ambassador of UBORA Men of IUP, a student organization that helps Black and Brown men navigate their college experience through programming, networking, and community service. Through UBORA, Trajan and his colleagues collaborate with campus advocacy groups, such as the Haven Project and University College, for programs including the “Redefining Masculinity” event. Trajan assists with facilitating meetings and planning diversity, equity, and inclusion events, including a conference this semester for Black and Brown men to come together. He also serves as the secretary of IUP Votes, a nonpartisan student organization that promotes community engagement, education, and voter registration. We thank you, Trajan!
Staff Spotlight: Shawn Jones
Shawn is the associate director of Undergraduate Admissions for Multicultural and Out-of-State Recruitment. He is responsible for creating both a strategic communications plan and a strategic recruitment plan, the latter of which involves various on- and off-campus programs and activities. Some of these programs include Promising Scholars, Latino Student Exploration Day (LED), Penn State Talent Search, Diversity Weekend, Time to Lead, and campus visits by four Pittsburgh area high schools. The Promising Scholars program is designed for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and community service. LED is an outreach program aimed not only at recruiting and enrolling high-achieving Latino students, but also informing and educating them on the many opportunities that college can provide for them. (Note that LED Weekend is happening this weekend, March 2–4.) Shawn connects potential students with current students through the DEI Alliance, a cohort of diversity-minded student organizations. He serves as cochair of the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, which is charged with examining diversity and inclusion practices, recommending action steps, and monitoring progress. Shawn is an IUP alumnus and has worked in the Office of Admissions for 23 years. His children, Sydney and Trajan, are IUP students and will graduate this year. We thank you, Shawn!
A note about IUP Values Me: Each week, we will highlight one student and one staff member to “shine a spotlight” on their leadership and involvement in campus programs and their great work assisting our campus community with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or civil rights awareness. If you have a suggestion for an IUP community member to feature in this section, please email social-equity@iup.edu.
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| Many exciting events are happening this spring!
All are welcome to attend the following upcoming events hosted by student organizations:
Charity Ball (March 25, presented by Students Against Racism); NAACP-IUP Image Awards (April 6, presented by NAACP-IUP); Asian Music Festival (April 10, presented by all Asian student groups); Glitz and Glamour Drag Show (April 13, presented by the Residence Hall Association); Unity Ball (April 22, presented by the Latino Student Organization); Sneaker Gala: Helping Women, Period! (April 26, presented by Collegiate Women in Progress); and Africa Night (April 29, presented by the Pan-African Student Association). Stay tuned for more information!
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EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK
PLEASE PARTICIPATE, SHARE AS APPROPRIATE, OR INCLUDE IN YOUR CLASSES.
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Overview
- Monday, February 27, through Friday, March 2: Thank a Donor Week
- Monday, February 27: IUP Blood Drive—Make an Appointment!
- Monday, February 27: Green Dot Volunteer Training
- Monday, February 27: Six O’Clock Series Presentation: Black Mental Health Matters
- Tuesday, February 28: IUP Art Education Presentation: Quintina Thomas, Guest Speaker
- Tuesday, February 28: IUP Soul Food Night
- Tuesday, February 28: Queer Book Club Series: Cemetery Boys
- Tuesday, February 28: Queer Conversations Workshop Series
- Tuesday, February 28: IUP Professional Panel Series—Careers in STEM
- Tuesday, February 28: Black Love Stories, Presented by UBORA Men of IUP and the Haven Project
- Tuesday, February 28: Free Planetarium Show on Winter Wonders
- Wednesday, March 1: Purim Celebration! Hosted by the Jewish Student Union
- Wednesday, March 1: Leadership in a Multicultural Society Workshop Series
- Wednesday, March 1: Pizza & Petitions, an IUP Votes Event
- Thursday, March 2: Green Dot Training
- Thursday, March 2: Special Guest Roosevelt Montás, Presented by the Big Ideas Program
- Thursday, March 2: You Matter: A promotion of positive mental health and sense of community. Look for displays at multiple locations on and off campus, hosted by Sigma Pi Fraternity and the Interfraternity Council
- Thursday, March 2, through Sunday, March 5: Theater-by-the-Grove Performance: Nine Days in the Sun
- Friday, March 3: Bachata Dance Night: A Latino Student Organization (LaSO) Event
- Saturday, March 4: Self-to-Society Leadership Conference
Coming Up Next Week:
- Wednesday, March 8: MCSLE Lunch and Learn: “Global and American Multiethnic Women’s Literature in the 20th and 21st Centuries”
- Wednesday, March 8: Empowering Women Series: “We Are Women, Hear Us Roar!”
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| Details
- Monday, February 27: Six O’Clock Series Presentation—Black Mental Health Matters
6:00–7:30 p.m.—Elkin Hall Great Room
This workshop is designed to increase mental health awareness, knowledge, and skills to help eliminate the stigma associated with acknowledging mental illness and seeking help. Black mental health will be examined through a historical and cultural lens. Participants will also learn about topics including multiculturalism, intersectionality, social justice, microaggressions, and coping mechanisms. Further information: MCSLE, 724-357-2598, tturn@iup.edu
- Tuesday, February 28: IUP Soul Food Night
4:00–6:30 p.m.—North Dining
In celebration of Black History Month, the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement and IUP Dining will feature home-cooked, Southern-style meals. This is the last day of the Soul Food Night series. Further information: MCSLE, 724-357-2598, tturn@iup.edu
- Tuesday, February 28: IUP Art Education Presentation—Quintina Thomas, Guest Speaker
10:00–11:00 a.m.—Sprowls Hall, Room 211
The IUP Art Education program will host Quintina Thomas for its first event in an educational speaker series. Thomas will give a talk and interactive workshop. Please come prepared to participate, to be curious, and to ask questions! Thomas is an Indiana-based entrepreneur and DEI educator with a background in counseling and social work. She is also completing her MAEd in diversity, equity, and social justice. This presentation is sponsored by the Office of Social Equity and Title IX. Further information: art-info@iup.edu
- Tuesday, February 28: Queer Book Club Series
4:00–5:00 p.m.—Elkin Hall, Room 111
The featured book for this session is Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys. Further information: lgbtqia-support@iup.edu
- Tuesday, February 28: Queer Conversations Workshop Series
5:00–6:00 p.m.—Elkin Hall Great Room
This week’s topic is “Drag Queens and Kings.” Further information: lgbtqia-support@iup.edu
- Tuesday, February 28: Black Love Stories
6:30–8:00 p.m.—North Dining, Tower Room
Join UBORA Men of IUP, MCSLE, and the Haven Project for an evening celebrating Black love on IUP’s campus. Enjoy a free soul food dinner at North Dining and listen to Black IUP alumni share their love stories. Meal tickets will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Further information: haven-project@iup.edu
- Wednesday, March 1: Purim Celebration!
Noon–1:00 p.m.—HUB Allegheny Room
The Jewish holiday of Purim is a joyous occasion that marks freedom from religious persecution. On Purim, Jews around the world exchange gifts, read the biblical book of Esther, feast on special foods, and give charitable gifts to those in need. Join special guest Rabbi Danielle Leshaw of Hillel International to learn about the rituals of this holiday and to share in a free lunchtime meal provided by the Jewish Student Union. For further information on this event or to get involved in the Jewish Student Union: nwsbc@iup.edu or kbndc@iup.edu
- Thursday, March 2: Special Guest Roosevelt Montás
7:30 p.m.—Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor of Sutton Hall
Roosevelt Montás, author of Rescuing Socrates: How the Great Books Changed My Life and Why They Matter for a New Generation and a Dominican-born academic who supports the humanities and transformational texts, is a special guest presenter hosted by the IUP Big Ideas program. Montás is a nationally recognized speaker on the value of a university education and the roll that humanities play in the development of citizen-leaders. This presentation is supported by the Teagle Foundation-National Endowment for the Humanities. IUP sponsors include the Office of Social Equity and Title IX, College of Arts and Humanities, Liberal Studies Program, Department of History, Department of English, and Center for Teaching Excellence. Further formation: Lynn Botelho, botelho@iup.edu
- Thursday, March 2, to Sunday, March 5: Theater-by-the-Grove Performance: Nine Days in the Sun
7:30 p.m., March 2–4; 2:00 p.m., March 5—Waller Hall Mainstage
A terroristic attack has pushed the Earth closer to the sun and depleted its ozone mantle. Nine Days in the Sun takes the audience to a world where the racial balance has shifted, and, as a result, the social order in America is turned upside down. Written by artist-in-residence Mark Clayton Southers, this production is in collaboration with Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre. Tickets and further information: lively-arts@iup.edu
- Friday, March 3: Bachata Dance Night—Latino Student Organization (LaSO) Event
7:00 p.m.—Folger Student Center
All are welcome to join in this festive dance night! Of special note, visiting prospective students through the Latino Exploration Day program will participate in this event. DJ Jorge Tapia will play Latin music. Light refreshments will be served. Further information: hysbc@iup.edu.
- Saturday, March 4: Self-to-Society Leadership Conference
12:30–5:00 p.m.—Folger Student Center
Participants will learn about social justice and how to become a more well-rounded leader. Further information: MCSLE, 724-357-2598, tturn@iup.edu
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Hosting an event you’d like us to mention in an upcoming issue?
Digest issues are emailed every Monday morning. Send all information concerning your event to social-equity@iup.edu, and we will include it in the appropriate weekly issue. Also, please be sure to enter your event in the CMS on the DIVERSITY, STUDENT, and CENTRAL CALENDARS so that it will receive wider marketing, appear in IUP Now, and achieve greater attendance.
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