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We hope your student came back from Spring Break well-rested and energized for the rest of the semester. As the weather becomes warmer and the lure of summer gets stronger, students often find it increasingly difficult to concentrate on their coursework. Encourage them to push through and complete academic work, while also enjoying the spring weather as much as possible! As always, review past issues of eeweemakiki on our Stay In Touch page.
Love and Honor,
Mark W. Pontious Director, Parent & Family Programs
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| In this issue:- Conversation Corner: Speech on Campus
- GradFest 2017
- Social Work Week Valuable Experience for Miami Students
- Summer Term and other Updates from the One Stop
- Summit Brings Minority-Owned Businesses to Campus
- Updates from Miami University Dining
- Spring Move Out and ShareFest 2017
- Commencement Message Sent to Graduating Students
- Summer Term Grant Writing Course Teaches One of Education's "Best Kept Secrets"
- Passover at Miami University
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| Conversation Corner: Speech on CampusThis academic year in particular, there has been a lot of talk about speech - so to speak. On college campuses, there can be a tension between the embrace of free speech as an essential feature of academic inquiry and the desire to create a community in which all students, staff, and faculty feel welcome. At Miami, we have certainly experienced this tension - and not just over the last several months - and our response to whether or not the two seemingly competing interests can be balanced is not only "yes," but "yes, we must." Free speech is a foundational principle of our nation and an essential condition for the pursuit of knowledge. At the same time, those who study and work at Miami cannot achieve their greatest potential if they do not feel welcomed as their authentic selves. The free exchange of thoughtful academic ideas will most certainly result in discomfort and dissonance for those who hold divergent views, but this should be celebrated and not limited - the "fittest" ideas will survive. However, words on college campuses, and in society at-large, are also used not to advance reason, knowledge, and understanding, but to intentionally hurt, diminish, or belittle. Words used in this way are often directed at a person's identity, and specifically because that identity differs from the person (who often remains anonymous) choosing to use words as a weapon to intentionally inflict harm. Situations like this, while unfortunate and rare, do create tension because, unless the language is explicitly threatening, a very high bar in our nation, even hate speech is protected in the same way as intellectual arguments. We believe that we are building a community in which such incidents are rare, and when they do occur, are met by a much louder and more visible response that rejects the hateful speech and clearly reinforces that our community norm is acceptance and tolerance for all. We encourage you to engage your student in conversations about their experiences with speech on campus. Here are a couple of questions and thoughts to assist: - What are ways that you can engage with someone that expresses a view not aligned with your own? Engaging in the discussion, even if no one's mind is changed, expands everyone's collective knowledge of an issue and often serves to improve one's own thinking around the ways they defend their own stance.
- Besides one-on-one conversations or in-class discussions, where do you see opportunities to engage with and learn from those who hold different views? Intentionally seeking out opportunities to learn by attending lectures, student organization meetings, and other events also help expand thinking on an issue.
- Difference is the key to growth. Growth and change only occur as a result of exposure to different ideas and people; challenge your student not only to welcome, but seek out these valuable opportunities to engage with difference.
Provost Phyllis Callahan has embraced this challenge of support free speech and making all students feel welcome. Concretely, she created a series of programs, featuring only our own students, faculty, and staff, that explore these challenges in a civil way. The series is titled "The Inclusion Series", and will continue through the remainder of spring semester. Topics thus far have included an introduction to free speech and it's relation to foundational principles in our society and an exploration of race and racial identity in today's political atmosphere.
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| Social Work Week Valuable Experience
for Miami Students Positive feedback flows from those involved in Miami's Family Science and Social Work Week, including quotes such as: "This was the best learning experience I've had in school so far." "Keep on doing this. Even though it was a lot of work, I learned a lot and it was fun!" Six weeks of planning and a small budget go a long way for the students who plan the weeklong effort that includes events, discussions, and raising awareness. What started as a class assignment four years ago, the week has grown into a tradition each March, expanding from Social Work Week to Family Science and Social Work Week. Instructor Terri Spahr Nelson says "The students anticipate it. They look forward to it." She also notes the broad appeal of the events, stating "It's not just for social work and family science majors. If you look at the events, many of them are open to not only all majors, but to faculty and community members. We've had good success with bringing in the University and Oxford communities." The Miami Family Fund has supported the Week for multiple years, including in 2016, when the funding allowed students to participate in a conference being held by the National Association of Social Workers in nearby Cincinnati. The Fund also specifically supported a professional conference on campus and a job and internship expo, all for students interested in the family science and social work fields.
Made possible through the generous support of Miami families, the Miami Family Fund strengthens the University's efforts to provide a safe, vibrant, and well-rounded college experience by offering support in several areas. Learn more about the Miami Family Fund.
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Summer. Where will it take your student? Hollywood. Belize. Anywhere. Or many just across campus. Summer term offers opportunities to enhance your student's experience by:- Studying abroad, away, or online
- Particpating in research, internships, or experiential learning
- Completing a Miami Plan course
Earning credit through Summer Term can also help students progress toward graduation or reduce their course load in another term. Summer Term dates are May 16 through August 5. Studence can choose from 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-week classes. Learn more at the Summer Term website. Summer Financial Aid:
Starting in April, students will be notified of their eligibility for summer aid, based upon registering for Summer Term if they have met financial aid requirements. Summer financial aid is based on any remaining aid eligibility the student has for the current academic year. Registration - Fall 2017:
Fall 2017 registration begins on Tuesday, April 4, and students are able to view their individual time tickets.
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Summit Brings Leaders of Minority-Owned Businesses to Campus The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Miami University presented the first Minority-Owned Business Leaders' Summit on campus earlier this month. While on campus, leaders of minority-owned businesses spoke with representatives from Career Services about hiring students as interns and employees, held an interactive roundtable with student leaders, and discussed working with a public university with administrators. Read more about this summit.
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| Use Buffet Meals for Breakfast Did you know that your student has a grab and go breakfast option at select a la carte locations, that will use a buffet meal? This is available 7:30-9:00 a.m., Monday - Friday at Bell Tower Market, Tea Hive, Emporium, Garden Market, and King Cafe. This option provides a breakfast sandwich, a piece of fruit, and choice of a tea, coffee or RedHawk water to go! Hot drink options may vary based on location.
Student Dining Employee Spotlight Nikki Grundy is a sophomore zoology major from Northbrook, Illinois, and is a member of the Wildlife Club and a member of Chi Omega. As a student employee for Miami University Dining, she spends a few hours each week serving Bell Tower's delicious meals to her fellow students. We sat down with her to get to know the person behind the Miami Dining hat. Read the full Q&A on the Miami Spread. And don't forget to Like Miami Dining on Facebook so you always know what's happening in the world of dining!
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Spring Move Out and ShareFest 2017 Miami's residence halls close on Friday, May 12, at 7:00 PM and all personal belongings must be removed from residence hall rooms. Students that need to stay for extenuating circumstances must sign up online in MyCard (form will be available May 1) and will be assessed a $37 fee per night, including Friday night. Graduating seniors can get the fee waived by contacting the Home Office (513-529-5000) after completing the sign-up form. Whether your student is moving out of a residence hall or an off-campus residence, encourage them to donated unwanted, gently used items to ShareFest 2017. ShareFest is an annual donation drive that brings together the community to benefit individuals in need. Volunteers will collect items from off-campus residences and residence hall drop-off locations and distribute them to charitable organizations in Oxford and the surrounding area. Additional information about Move Out and ShareFest will be distributed closer to the end of the semester.
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| Spring Commencement Students who have applied for graduation recently received the digital postcard below. Visit the Commencement website for additional information. Congratulations to those of you with graduates!
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| EHS Grant Writing Course Teaches One of Education's "Best Kept Secrets"
Because organizations are always looking for funding beyond their own profit margins, grant writing is becoming a highly valued skill. Most people don't realize that ongoing legislation changes mean that state and federal budgets are constantly shifting, and those who understand the process can remain competitive as new funds become available. During Summer Term 2017, the College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) will offer Grant Writing Skills and Methods, which will introduce students to Dr. Doug Brooks' GRANTSUCCESS process. This will include systematic methods for identifying federal and state funding sources, reviewing requests for funding proposals (RFP's), writing effective applications, and more. "The course has immediate resume impact for both undergraduate and graduate students," says Brooks. "This is value added for a potential employer, who gets a Miami graduate that has been introduced to an effective and efficient methodology for attracting external funding for their organization."
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| Offered as a blended learning experience, the course will feature four online modules bookended by face-to-face introductory and closing classes. Teams will create and submit a real grant funding proposal, and collaborations between beginner and more experienced writers will be allowed. "The amount of money available in foundations is incredible," Brooks says. "Grant writing is one of the best kept secrets in public schools and higher education. There are almost never courses designed to teach this topic. There is no other class like this on Miami's campus."
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Passover at Miami University It is important that students have a place to go when celebrating a holiday. On Passover, many students find it difficult to be away from home, family, and their holiday traditions. For over 60 years, Hillel at Miami University has been helping students find their "home away from home" not only on Passover, but every day of their time at Miami. Since 1956, Hillel at Miami University has been working to make sure that every Jewish student feels welcome. Passover promotes hospitality and Hillel strives to make it a continual part of its mission. Part of this effort is making sure everyone has a place around the Seder table. This year, Hillel at Miami University will welcome students to family-style Seders filled with student participation, familiar songs, and great food! Over 500 Passover meals will be served throughout the holiday week, as well. Seders and meals are FREE thanks for a generous gift from a Miami alum and from parent contributions. Hillel will email detailed information about Passover Seders and meals to every student in our database. Parents can encourage their students to take advantage of all that Hillel will offer during Passover and can email Hillel at admin@hillel.org to make sure their student is listed in our database.
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