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At the University of Connecticut we value the diversity of our community and work to develop an environment that is supportive and inclusive for everyone.

Diversity Focus

Profiles of A Diverse Community
University of Connecticut students, faculty, and staff come from many different walks of life.

Charting Our Progress
Read the latest Board of Trustees diversity report and other documents related to campus diversity.

Highlighting the Difference Makers
Ms. Joy Erickson is an outreach coordinator with the Chemistry department who is actively...


Bulletin Board

Women’s Center Gives Awards
The Diversity Committee of the Women’s Center Advisory Board acknowledged Dr. Bandana Purkayastha, Dr. Xae, Alicia Reyes, and Ms. Aliza Wilder

Black Greeks 101 Lecture
The Office of Greek Life brought Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Vice President for Student Affairs at Albany University and author of the well-received Black Greek 101

Student Union Committee Discusses
Vice Provost Ronald Taylor and Interim

New $150,000 Minority Pipeline
The University of Connecticut has been



Diversity Calendar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAURIE TOMPKINS
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES & PROGRAMS
(860) 486-3855
LAURIE.TOMPKINS@UCONN.EDU
MARCH 24, 2005
12pm - 10pm


PRESS RELEASE

Worldfest 2005

UConn Worldfest 2005 will be held on Saturday April 9, 2005 in the university’s Student Union. The Department of International Services and Programs, the International Relations Association, the Student Union Board of Governors and the Office of International Affairs are sponsoring this event. Worldfest 2005 will begin at noon and continue well into the night. Highlights of the festival include performances from the Taiko Drummers, Irish Step Dancers, Italian and Greek Dancers as well as various other groups and will feature international food and beverages attendees can sample from around the world. There will be African, Polish, Mexican, Greek and Asian delicatessens to sample. Student meal swipes and/or small fee will be charged for food and beverages The celebration will end with a dance with world music for one and all.

We hope you can join us this year to celebrate our rich cultural diversity and to show your support to our international community. Please contact 486-3855 if you have any further questions. This is an educational experience for all ages. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free of charge.




The month of April is the 36th Annual Celebration of Latino Month.  Listed below are the events for the week of April 4, 2005.  You are invited to attend any or all of them.   

Tuesday, April 5:  Hollywood Motifs in Maid in Manhattan: Jennifer Lopez and the Romance Film.  Presented by Dr. Xae Reyes and Dr. Diana Rios at noon in the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center Program Room.  

Wednesday, April 6:  Mr. & Ms. Latino UConn Pageant.  7:00 p.m. in the Student Union Room 304.  

Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 9:  Latin American Theatre Today Conference.  This conference entails 4 days of theater performances, which are free to students:            

Wednesday, April 6, 2005:                    * Arquearse by Deborah Hunt (Puerto Rico), Studio Theatre, 5 p.m.                      * Mexterminator versus Global Predator: A solo performance by Guillermo Gomez-Pena (US/Mexico), Nafe Katter Theatre, 7 p.m.            

Thursday, April 7, 2005:                    * O Liquido Tatil by Daniel Veronese (Brasil), Studio Theatre, 5 p.m.                      * Maquina Hamlet by Heiner Muller (Mexico), Nafe Katter Theatre, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.                    

Friday, April 8, 2005:                     * Mi nombre es… by Anabella Valencia and The Shoes by Cristina Merelli (Argentina), Nafe Katter Theatre, 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.                      * Mexotica: A performance/installation by Guillermo Gomez-Pena (US/Mexico), William Benton Museum of Art, 5 - 8 p.m.            

Saturday, April 9, 2005:                     * Mondongo Scan by Claudio Mir (Dominican Republic/UC), Studio Theatre, 5 p.m.                      * Prometeo encadenado by Aravind Adyanthaya (Puerto Rico), Nafe Katter Theatre, 7 p.m.  

Friday, April 8:  Latina/o Sexualities: Breaking Silence, Creating Change Conference.  The conference hopes to break some of the silences that are still present in regard to Latina/o sexualities as well as to disseminate knowledge. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Dodd Center




April 20th              Women of Color Recognition Awards Reception
Keynote Speaker - Cynthia Jones, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs Program begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Reception to follow the Keynote. Wednesday, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Student Union Room 304 SEATING IS LIMITED and RSVP IS REQUIRED.  For more information, contact Carol at (860) 486-4738

  April 27th              WRAAP Picnic
Join the staff of the cultural centers as we celebrate the end of the semester with good food and fun! Co-sponsored with the African American Cultural Center, Asian American Cultural Center, Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, Rainbow Center, and the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs. Wednesday, 3 ­ 5 p.m., Dow Field (Old Co-Op site)

  May 6th                   Annual Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony
This annual awards ceremony honors senior women students who are graduating this year and have excelled academically within each school, as well as demonstrated dedication to research and service to the University community.  Co-sponsored with the Provost’s Commission on the Status of Women and the Alumni Association. Friday, 4 pm ­ 6 pm, Great Hall, Alumni Association Building

  May 10th                UConn Women’s Advance ­ Real Women, Real Connections, Real Community
Watch for registration materials in the mail by early April. Tuesday, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Ashford, CT  


  Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  April 4th to 8th                       Visual Testimony Week
Clothesline Project
The Clothesline Project is a visual display that calls attention to violence against women.  The project displays shirts designed by survivors of violence and the families and friends of victims of violence.  For more information about how it got started and what the different colors of t-shirts represent is available at www.clotheslineproject.org Monday - Friday, 11 am ­ 4 pm, Women's Center

  Arte Sana/Corazon Lastimado “The Corazon Lastimado: Healing the Wounded Heart” survivor art exhibit offers a visual testimony to the impact of sexual violence in our lives.  Sexual abuse survivors and those who work with them are invited to use wooden hearts as vehicles of expression and healing.  More information on Arte Sana can be found at www.arte-sana.com Monday - Friday, 11 am - 4 pm, Women’s Center

  April 7 ­ 9th          Interpretacion sobre violencia de genero/Analyzing Gender Violence ­ A Workshop with Mercedes Farriols
Please note:  This workshop lasts 3 days, 2 hours each day.  The participants should agree to participate during the entire three day workshop.  The workshop will be conducted in the language to be determined by the participants (Spanish or English). This workshop will analyze and deconstruct manifestations of sexism, the myths and stereotypes that underlie and perpetuate them, as well as the roles attributed to women in patriarchal society, its repressive and reductionist contents.  The workshop will focus on exploring the following aspects:
     
  • What is expressed through words.
  • What is said through body language.
  • The expression of desire.
  • Making visible taboos and stereotypes about sexuality.
  • How to approach sensual, erotic and seduction scenes.
  • The search for a place from which to express and communicate.
  Activities will be based on theatre texts on physical, psychological and sexual violence written by the author (Ana Bolena, Es o no Es, Encarnación, Isla Blanca Catherina, Si los hermanos se pelean, Carola, Miserias domésticas) or proposed by workshop participants: any text can serve as pretext.  This workshop is part of Translation, Transgender, and Transnationalism , the sixth Latin American Theatre Today (LATT) Conference/Festival.  Co-sponsored with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.  For more information, contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at 860-486-3313. Thursday ­ Saturday, 3 pm - 5pm, South Ballroom

  April 12th              Denim Day
Denim Day began in 1999 as part of an international protest following an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the survivor was wearing jeans at the time of her assault.  The Justices said that since jeans are not easily removed without cooperation and impossible to take off if someone is resisting, the survivor must have been compliant in her assault.  Please join us in wearing denim today!

  April 20th              Take Back the Night          March, Rally and Coffeehouse
The Women’s Center invites all survivors, secondary survivors, friends and allies to this event.  The annual Take Back The Night March will begin at the Student Union with a rally with guest speakers and key people in the community.  We will march with a "speak out" and end with a coffeehouse.  This is an evening where the audience will be empowered by musicians and others and a healing of the community and the traditional candle light vigil will also occur.  Wednesday, 7 pm, Student Union Lobby

  April 21st               Day of Healing
An evening of empowerment to begin the healing process for survivors and secondary survivors, as well as provide closure after Take Back the Night.  Thursday, 6 pm, Women’s Center Lounge

  April 28th              Shine the Light on Sexual Violence
The closing ceremony for the month will be “Shine the Light on Sexual Violence.”  This is a candlelight vigil designed to encourage the community to spotlight sexual assault awareness throughout the year and bring light to the issues.  It will also serve as a peaceful end to an emotional month that highlights the strength of survivors and those who support them. Thursday, 8 pm, Dow Field (Old Co-Op Site)


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