Alumni Newsletter | Fall 2005
In the summer of 2005, the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) joined with the University of Chicago Alumni Association to create a quarterly Alumni Newsletter to update alumni of color on diversity initiatives from OMSA and the University, as well as offer information that will assist alumni in engaging and connecting with the University community.
NEW OMSA Staff…
One of the responsibilities of Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean of Students in the University and Director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs when she began her tenure with the University on June 13, 2005 was to hire a new staff for OMSA.
Campus Climate Survey
The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) launched a Campus Climate Survey during Fall Quarter 2005. The purpose of the Campus Climate Survey was threefold: First, it allowed OMSA to collect demographic data on the students of color population here at the University of Chicago. Second, the survey allowed students to provide OMSA feedback and suggestions to consider while planning events and services for the 2005-2006 academic year. And, finally, the survey provided OMSA with information on the campus climate for students of color.
The survey received 341 respondents. The majority of students (70%) would like to see OMSA provide internship, fellowship, and/or scholarship announcements during the 2005-2006 academic year, while ethnic celebrations (57%) also received a considerable response.
The survey produced much rich data, more of which will be forthcoming in the near future.
A Chicago Experience for Students of Color
The Office of College Admissions and OMSA co-sponsored “A Chicago Experience for Students of Color on November 10th-11th, 2005. This was a new program similar (though not identical) to a program that Admissions does in the Spring for admitted students of color. This was an immersion experience for high school seniors considering an application to the University of Chicago. There were 124 prospective student attendees at this event which included a dinner co-sponsored by OMSA which gave prospective students the opportunity to connect with current college students and ask questions about the life of a UC student.
Multicultural Alumni/Faculty Dialogue
In November, several area alumni of color joined the OMSA staff, students, and Professor Michael Dawson at the home of Peter & Lucy Ascoli for a discussion about "The Katrina Disaster and the Racial Divide in American Public Opinion". Professor Dawson presented preliminary results of the research he and Professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell have been conducting in the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean for the University and OMSA Director provided alumni with an update on the restructure of the OMSA office and current initiatives to address diversity issues on campus. Please contact Mary Vander Kinter, Associate Director for more information regarding future dialogue sessions being planned for the winter and spring quarters.
Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC)
Mentoring is described as a method of learning and growing where people gain knowledge from each other’s experience and learns new skills through the transferring and exchanging of information. Since its inception in August 2005, CMC has been making considerable efforts to recruit and retain undergraduates of color. Currently the program has aided in matching 56 students in the College with 50 mentors and still continues to attract more students. In addition, not only has the program been successful in attracting participants, but there is also a continued effort to aid students with the transition out of college by providing resources and information around career and graduate school opportunities. During the autumn quarter the program sponsored career and life planning workshops, study breaks and community building opportunities; all of which were very well attended. As for this upcoming quarter, participants in CMC should expect to see more programs geared toward academic enhancement, professional development and community building. For more information, email Kendy Oláguez in the Office of Minority Student Affairs or phone 773-834-4672.
OMSA/Amandla Center Relocation
One of the recommendations made by the Provost Initiative on Minority Issues (PIMI) - Student Programming and Support Student Advisory Committee was the need to expand the Amandla Center (currently housed in Harper Memorial Library) and locate it next to the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA-currently housed in the Admin Bldg). As a result of this recommendation, a Feasibility and Programming Study was commissioned and a Student/Staff Steering Committee established in May, 2005. The Steering Committee will issue the results of their study February, 2005. For more information on the relocation study please contact Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean/Director of OMSA.
NEW Deputy Provost for Research and Minority Issues
On October 6, 2005, Richard Saller, Provost of the University, announced that Kenneth Warren, the Fairfax Cone Distinguished Service Professor in English Language & Literature, had been named Deputy Provost for Research and Minority Issues. Warren's position was created on the recommendation of the Provost's Initiative on Minority Issues (PIMI). Read more…
OMSA & University respond to inappropriate theme party
On Friday, October 14, 2005 a “Ghetto”-themed party took place in one of the University’s residence halls. The event was brought to the attention of administrators, faculty, and staff as many students were affected by the insensitivity of the theme and transgressions of the party. Students responded that the party was/is indicative of the campus climate for students of color and sought a University response. As a result, an All-University Forum on Campus Climate was hosted on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 to discuss the party and campus climate. The Forum’s participants were: Richard Saller, Provost; Ken Warren, Deputy Provost for Research and Minority Issues; Steve Klass, Vice President and Dean of Students in the University; Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean of Students and Director of OMSA: and Teresa Owens, Dean of Students, Divinity School (Moderator). The All-University Forum was a first step in creating a space for cross-cultural dialogue that allowed students to share their comments and concerns. OMSA, in conjunction with several departments and offices across campus, will continue to host such events in the upcoming quarters as there are already plans in the works for an educational seminar, brown bag lunches, and further cross-cultural dialogue.
Fall Quarter 2005 Highlights
CMC Kickoff
On September 28th, OMSA hosted the Chicago Multicultural Connection Recruitment Mixer which was designed to build community among undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni and provide academic and career development opportunities for College students via networking. If you are an alumnus living in Chicago and would like to mentor an undergraduate student, please contact Kendy Oláguez.
Annual Welcome Back Reception
OMSA also held the annual Welcome Back Reception in October for all University students, faculty, and staff. The Reception was an opportunity to connect undergraduate and graduate students and introduce them to OMSA. Attendees were welcomed (back) to campus by our featured speakers, including Provost Richard Saller, Vice President and Dean of Students Steve Klass, Deputy Provost for Minority Research Ken Warren, and Ana Vázquez, the University’s new Deputy Dean of Students in the University and Director of Minority Affairs.
Graduate Student Brunch
OMSA and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture co-sponsored a graduate student brunch with University of Chicago faculty in October. Graduate and professional school students networked with faculty from across the university. Some faculty included Keisha Fikes in Anthropology, Dwight Hopkins in the Divinity School, and Salikoko Mufwene in Linguistics.
Faculty Discussion
On November 3rd, OMSA encouraged students to participate in an evening discussion with Kelly Brown Douglas, Professor of Religion at Goucher College. The group examined the intersections of race, religion and sexual orientation. Douglas’ scholarly works include Sexuality and the Black Church, The Black Christ, and What’s Faith Got to Do With It? Black Bodies/Christian Souls.
Winter Quarter 2006 Spotlight
MLK celebration
This year we will continue the University’s tradition of commemorating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a week of activities. MLK Week 2006 takes place Monday, January 9 to Monday, January 16. Featured events include the Opening Ceremony on January 9th at 4:30pm in Ida Noyes Hall with a speech by Bishop Arthur M. Brazier of the Apostolic Church of God and a Memorial Service on Monday, January 16 with keynote address by Valerie Jarrett, Executive Vice President of the Habitat Company and Trustee of the University.
Diversity in the Workplace
The second annual multicultural career conference entitled Diversity in the Workplace: Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Leadership will take place on February 21, 2006. This program provides students from the College, the Professional Schools, and Graduate Divisions the opportunity to connect with alumni of color who have entered rewarding careers in a variety of fields. If you are interested in participating in this year’s Diversity in the Workplace conference, please contact Tamilia Reed.
Student Updates
- OMSA sponsored several students to attend the 8th Annual Midwest Hispanic Student Leadership Conference on October 8. The Conference was put together through the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute and it was held downtown at the Hyatt Regency.
- The Organization of Black Students organized a Study Break with WGCI radio station on Thursday, November 10, 2005.
- OMSA sponsored several graduate students for a cultural outing on October 14 to enjoy the celebrations of Latino Heritage month at Vive la Hispanidad at Galleria Marchetti.
- The Organization of Latin American Students held a Salsa Event on October 15.
- Oct.20 - Afro-Peruvian Event (OBS event)
- Oct.22 - Latino Heritage Month; OMSA sponsored event to Mexican Fine Arts Center
- Oct.22 - Night of Comedy Sponsored by SASA (South Asian Student Association)
Faculty News: Olopade receives MacArthur ‘genius’ grant
University professor Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade has been named 2005 MacArthur fellow. Olopade, Professor in Medicine and Human Genetics and Director of the Cancer Risk Clinic at the University Hospitals, was selected for her work around the molecular genetics of breast cancer in African and African-American women. Read more…
The OMSA Alumni Newsletter is a joint project of the Office of Minority Student Affairs and the University of Chicago Alumni Association. Please send your comments and suggestions to omsa@uchicago.edu
