Week of Action Events in Massachusetts
Amherst College will present an evening speaker series on Wednesday nights in February and March. The evening speaker series would include panels composed of:
• student leaders from Amherst College political/activist groups
• Five-College students working with community organizations
• Amherst faculty and community leaders discussing the role and importance of civic engagement in higher education and beyond.
• Keynote address about community building and outreach.
February 26; March 5; March 12; March 26; this series will culminate with a campus-wide Day of Service where students, faculty and staff will participate in various service projects throughout the Pioneer Valley. March 29, 2003. Contact: tpscottcraig@amherst.edu
Also at Amherst College: The “Little Three” Presidential Conference. Presidents from Amherst, Williams College, and Wesleyan University will come together to discuss civic-engagement both in their own life experiences and on their campuses, highlighting the value of community involvement. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presidents. Contact: tgerety@amherst.edu
As part of the Tzedek Hillel initiative, Brandeis University students will create a mural with the Waltham Boys and Girls Club. Artist and community organizer, Ellen Alt will meet with students and give a public presentation about her work with community arts in Israel and in America. January 23, 2003. Contact: jcsc@brandeis.edu
Brandeis University will also host a community forum on local, sustainable agriculture. Speakers will discuss the environmental benefits of local food growth, the heath of the consumer, and community benefits. The Food Project will cater the event. April 7, 2003. Contact: stelljes@brandeis.edu
Cape Cod Community College will address community will and advocacy during an Affordable Housing Symposium entitled “Working to keep ‘The Locals’ Local; How Can Students Take Action?” February 19th. Contact: kschatzberg@capecod.mass.edu
Clark University: A panel discussion, hosted and facilitated by President John Bassett, titled “Defining Community Engagement in the Context of Social Change in the University Park Neighborhood.” February 19th. Contact: Jbassett@clarku.edu
Dean College will host a Diversity Dinner. Gregory Lindsay, Director of AHANA Student Affairs at Emerson College will speak about the Civil Rights Movement. A question and answer session will follow. Wednesday, February 19th. Contact: prooney@dean.edu
Emerson College is sponsoring a Boston Movers and Shakers Speaker Series by featuring area activists and stakeholders who will address issues of Housing, Employment, Health and Education as they pertain to the city of Boston. The panels will be followed by student reflection sessions. The speaker series is based on an interdisciplinary class taught by Prof. Emily Kearns which aims to provide first year students with "the opportunity to explore what it means to be a stakeholder in a civic culture working with others to mobilize resources to address an urban community need." Contact: jennifer_greer@emerson.edu
Emerson College will also host a panel discussion addressing what activism and civic engagement on campus mean. Student activists involved with different sectors of the campus community will compose the panel. After the panel, the audience will be engaged in a dialogue about topics addressed by the panel. February 20, 2003. Contact: et13sfjk@yahoo.com
Fitchburg State College students will conduct a community health fair with a focus on health promotion, illness prevention, and early diagnosis of the most common health problems found in society. Partnered with a local church, students are developing poster presentations that focus on prevention/early detection of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and major cancers. Blood pressure and glucose screenings will be provided, along with healthy foods. The local hospital has been invited to provide cholesterol screening. April 12, 2003. Contact: Sfredette@fsc.edu
Also, on February 18th, Fitchburg State College will have a Town meeting hosted by President Rivard, for the Fitchburg and college communities. Contact: Tullio@FSC.edu
Phillips Brooks House Association, at Harvard University, plans to implement a semester long course developed and administered by a VISTA member in collaboration with the students and staff of PBHA. Comprised of reflection, education on specific social issues and specific neighborhoods, the course will strive to integrate education and action. February- April, 2003. Contact: siedman@fas.harvard.edu
Lasell College will host a Civic Engagement Forum on February 18th.
The Office of the President at Lesley University will sponsor a forum at which speakers from the community will discuss both grassroots efforts and policy issues related to hunger and homelessness in our communities. Speakers will include leaders of community organizations, government agencies and public policy makers. February 20. Contact: mckenna@lesley.edu
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has planned a series of student-run meetings that will run throughout the spring semester and create an opportunity to strengthen civic engagement among the student body while uniting students on campus. Interactive workshops, developing action plans, and dialogues will be included. February through May 2003. Contact: ageiger@mcla.edu
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will have a panel discussion on topics related to HIV/AIDS. After the panel students will be divided into small groups to discuss what they have heard and what they can do to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.Contact: kkearney@mcp.edu
Massasoit Community College: Contact: cwall@massasoit.mass.edu
• The President, Charles Wall, will host and moderate a panel discussion on issues pertaining to civic engagement on the local government level. The panel will include members of area government and students. February 16th.
• Some members of the New England Patriots will discuss their civic engagement activities and their efforts to curb youth violence. MCC police will present their Rape, Aggression, and Defense Program. February 18th.
• The “Clothes Line Project,” provides education about domestic violence during a civic engagement fair. February 20th.
Mount Wachusett Community College plans to have a panel discussion on the subject “Our Constitution.” A political analyst and a government official will discuss both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students will develop questions that will be debated by the guest panelists.
Contact: s_mcalpine@mwcc.mass.edu
A panel discussion will be held at Northeastern University on the topic Freedom of Information and Libraries in the United States and Abroad. Organizers hope to get students thinking and talking about the concept of freedom of information, government depository libraries, censorship, and how libraries play a role in access to information domestically and abroad. March 2003. Contact: m.carpenter@neu.edu
North Shore Community College will host a panel discussion. Diverse views on human rights for Eastern and Middle Eastern women will be discussed. Breakout workshops on related topics will follow. April,2003. Contact: abarva01@nscc.mass.edu
Springfield College: Contact: rflynn@spfldcol.edu
• Forum on Civic Engagement: Panel discussion, and presentations by public and non-profit organizations to promote internships, service learning, volunteer, research, and career opportunities. February 20.
• Marketing Campaign to highlight and promote the engagement of students.
Stonehill College will host a panel discussion on the issue of affordable housing in Brockton entitled “The Community Speaks Out: Fighting for Affordable Housing in Brockton.” The goal of this event is to bridge the gap that exists between Stonehill College and the neighboring Brockton community. The first half of the program will highlight the problem of affordable housing for Brockton residents and the other half will focus on why and how Stonehill students should take action on this issue. A panel will include members of both the Stonehill and Brockton community. February 19th. Contact: mcregan@stonehill.edu
Tufts University will host an event to inform students about education and civil liberty. A Civic Engagement Banquet will be held which mimics Oxfam’s Hunger Banquet. It will be a simulation of world dynamics and the inequality that exists in civil liberties among world citizens. Freedom of speech will be addressed. A speaker will discuss and facilitate discussion around the topic “Elementary School Curriculum: What Should Tomorrow’s Future Know.” Participants will be asked to vote on two simulated curriculum proposals. Contact: afsan.bhadelia@tufts.edu
Also at Tufts: a presentation by an Independent Media Speaker on the Issue of Politics in the Media. Contact: louis.esparza@tufts.edu
Student Service Symposium: Tufts President, Lawrence Bacow will lead a process of reflection by undergraduates, faculty, staff, and community partners about community service activities. The goals of this are to increase awareness and elevate dialogue about student service work and the root causes of the issues that are the focus of service activities. Also, this event will contribute to the development of institutional policies and programs that will strengthen students’ service work, strengthen university-community partnerships, increase attention to root causes, and increase development in students of the values and skills required to take effective action. February 16-22. Contact: robert.hollister@tufts.edu
“Beyond Our Backyard: A Community Orientation” at UMass Boston. A town meeting facilitated by the Chancellor, will focus on opportunities, concerns, and how to build and extend community at UMass Boston. A celebration will follow that acknowledges the programs, opportunities, and diversity on and around UMass Boston. Speakers will be invited to participate. February 19th. Contact: joann.gora@umb.edu
“Reach Up,” a mentoring program for at-risk middle and high school students , at the Umass Boston Harbor Campus , will host a forum with Jean Rhodes. Jean Rhodes is the author of Stand By Me, a book about mentoring. June 2003. Contact: donna_galipeau@hotmail.com
On Friday, February 21st, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean MacCormack will lead a group of 19 students, faculty, and staff on a tour of local community based organizations. (c.b.o.s) Organizations will make presentations about their mission and suggest ways the university might consider partnering in that mission. Following the tour, participants will attend a working lunch to discuss issues addressed. A motivational speaker will speak and then student-based action plans will be developed. The plans will be submitted to the C.B.O.s. Contact: dhealy@umassd.edu
Umass Dartmouth will hold a dialogue on student advocacy and activism surrounding the issue of affordable housing. A speaker from the Massachusetts Housing Authority will address ways that participants can take their service to the next level. Following this will be a working lunch during which participants will discuss concrete ways they will implement the information they have received. April 11, 2003. Contact: dhealy@umassd.edu
Wheaton College will hold its annual Otis Social Justice Symposium on February 10&11, 2003. This year’s theme is “Social Equality and Human Rights.” Glenn Omatsu, Iris Morales, Michael Yellow Bird, Elaine Brown, and Amber Hollibaugh will be special guests visiting classes and participating in a keynote presentation. (February 11, 7-8:30 pm). A student teach-in will occur Monday evening, February 10th. Contact: sprailea@wheatonma.edu
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