Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at The University of Chicago

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Alumni Newsletter | Spring 2008

In the summer of 2005, the Office of Multicultural 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.

WHAT'S NEW?

OMSA Staff Updates

Dacia Hobson joined us on March 31st as our new Program Assistant! A native of Chicago, she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) with a B.A. in English. Upon graduation from UIUC, Dacia joined a money-management firm in Chicago where she handled corporate giving and managed a not-for-profit foundation. Her work experience includes budget management, human resources, leadership training and team development, supervision and event coordination. As OMSA's Program Assistant, Dacia will serve as the principal office administrator, organizing all administrative efforts including human resources, payroll, budget administration, event planning and staff scheduling. She will also work with the Student Center Manager on the management of the 5710 reservation system and the supervision of student staff.

It is a bittersweet moment for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs staff as we say farewell to Mary Vander Kinter, Associate Director. Mary has been with our office for two and a half years and contributed to OMSA during the reorganization of the department in 2005 and the development of 5710. Mary's responsibilities include supervising staff, overseeing graduate student fellowships and managing OMSA's budget. Mary's last day is July 2, 2008.

5710 Updates

Since the Grand Opening Celebration in February 2008, 5710 has grown tremendously and has become a vibrant place for students to come together and build community.

We are excited to report that between February and May, there have been over 120 scheduled programs in the building including Pride Week 2008, PanAsia's Spring Festival and the weekly meetings of numerous student organizations. In addition to student organizations, departments such as the University Community Service Center, University Housing and the Alumni Association have also utilized this wonderful space for their events and programs.

This usage information comes to us as no surprise as 5710 offers many great amenities that make it very attractive for programming. For example, the building is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offers easy access to each programming space. Additionally, 5710 has both gender specify and gender neutral restrooms, wireless internet capabilities throughout the building and U-Site computer stations for student use. Lastly, registered student organizations can use the space at no cost and university departments are charged only a minimal fee.

All this has made 5710 a vibrant and welcoming environment for students. On an average week there are 25 scheduled programs ranging from weekly meetings, to study breaks, to panels and receptions. Students visit 5710 for these exciting programs, but many also come to study, relax and hang out with friends. As more people learn about the wonderful welcoming environment, we anticipate more and more visitors to this student centered space.

OMSA Mentoring Program – The Chicago Multicultural Connection

The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC), a career-focused mentoring program, has recruited over 80 passionate and motivated UC alum, graduate students, faculty and staff to serve as career mentors for the 2007-2008 school year! CMC matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one personal mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops as well as social and cultural events for the matched pairs throughout the year.

OMSA is always looking for dedicated alumni to serve as mentors! Alumni in all fields are encouraged to apply. Mentors must be able to meet in person with their mentee once a quarter and connect via email or phone every other week. New matches will be made in September 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.

For more information or to sign-up as a mentor, please contact Robin Graham via email at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship.

SPRING QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

OMSA closed the year with a bang on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 with a special tribute to the graduating students of color at the University of Chicago. According to preliminary reports from the Office of the Registrar, the University graduated 769 students of color from across all divisions and the college. Students joined in the excitement of celebrating their successes as speaker Dean Teresa Owens of the Divinity School, described her struggles as a student of color at Harvard University. Dean Owens filled the air with sharp realities-exclaiming that her truth and her experience as a person of color is to be acknowledged and not swept under the carpet. Students embraced her resounding speech and continued to bask in their accomplishments, each receiving a University of Chicago business card holder on behalf of the OMSA office. The evening closed with a toast as students shared laughter and experiences. 2008 at the University of Chicago was definitely a Time to Celebrate!  

Over 100 alumni made their way to 5710 South Woodlawn for a triple celebration during Alumni Weekend on Saturday, June 7, 2008. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the LGBTQ Programming Office hosted receptions for alumni, offering them a first look at the newly renovated space. Later in the evening, the two communities came together for a joint reception to celebrate the founders of the building.

Following the joint reception was a special 5710 Founder's Dinner, recognizing the contributions of the faculty, staff, students and alumni who made 5710 a reality. Without their constant support, feedback and their vision of a space for students of color and LGBTQ students, 5710 would not exist. These founders were presented with a limited edition coaster bearing the image of 5710.

If you missed visiting 5710 this past Alumni Weekend, be sure to stop by! The space will be open this summer from 9:00am - 7:00pm and during the academic year we are open until 11:00pm.

On Thursday, May 8th, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs hosted its 2nd annual Race Studies Grant Symposium. OMSA's Race Studies Grant supports scholarly research on the multifaceted nature and/or impact of race, ethnicity, and culture within the University of Chicago, higher education, or the city of Chicago. Held at 5710 South Woodlawn, the symposium brought together ten grant recipients who presented their groundbreaking research with oral and poster presentations alike. With a combination of students, staff, and faculty present and a full audience, the Race Studies Grant recipients created a space for engaging discussion on the grantee's cutting-edge scholarship while simultaneously creating a deeper sense of community at 5710.

OMSA was excited to host several events for graduate students of color. We hosted two Graduate Student Mixers; one was held jointly with the Social Sciences Division and School of Divinity in the Swift Hall Common Room (location of the famous Divinity School Wednesday Lunches), and one was held in the brand new Community Lounge at 5710. Students from divisions across the University socialized, networked, and enjoyed a festive atmosphere.

In May, Kenyetta Lovings, graduate student in the Master of Arts Program in Social Science presented "Magic, Mediation and Morality in Contemporary Congolese Comics" and received excellent feedback from a group of very knowledgeable attendees. Graduate Brown Bags are a wonderful opportunity for graduate students of color to present their research interests and papers for feedback. Both graduate and undergraduate students are welcome to attend, and we strongly encourage the attendance of faculty, especially faculty advisors. Kenyetta's research examined the ways in which society in the Democratic Republic of Congo has adapted to economic, political, and social crisis. We thank Kenyetta and all the participants of our session for their contributions to a great event.

Finally, in a new partnership, OMSA jointly hosted a career planning brown bag with Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS). Participants received a presentation on career goals and completed exercises including an interest inventory and imagining their dream life. This was a wonderful new event which really benefited the participants. We look forward to much more fruitful collaboration with CAPS!

Each spring, the Office of College Admissions invites admitted students to stay on-campus overnight and learn about the University. This year, OMSA welcomed them to our gorgeous new building, 5710 South Woodlawn. Admitted students attended an ice cream social and met office staff and current students. They also attended a brunch panel during which current students offered personal and honest views of their lives at the University.

The OMSA Alumni Newsletter is a joint project of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the University of Chicago Alumni Association. Please send your comments and suggestions to omsa@uchicago.edu.