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Dear University of Rochester alumni, 

The Spring 2016 semester has welcomed an array of diverse programs at the University of Rochester, including guest speakers, such as Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, and a student-initiated conference, the Joint Collegiate Black Student Summit. We are pleased to say that you will continue to find quality programming throughout the year, both on campus and off.
 
On April 8, we will welcome Alicia Garza, social activist and co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter, to the River Campus as the keynote speaker of the seventh annual Diversity Conference. This year's conference centers around the theme #URDiversity: What Do You Stand For? Prior to the Conference, we invite you to join us for a Celebration of Diversity.

As you may already be aware, President Seligman announced the formation of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity this past November to examine race relations on campus. In January, the Commission presented its interim report and initial recommendations, which can be found in the February issue of Rochester Buzz

In addition to the interim report, the University has also kicked off We're Better Than THAT, a student-guided anti-racism campaign to educate students, faculty, and staff on ways to approach difficult conversations on divisive topics and stop hate speech and racism in our community. The campaign is taking over campus on March 21----be sure to check our Facebook page next week to get involved and show your support! 

Meliora, 

Cristin Monahan '11 
Assistant Director of Affinity and Diversity Engagement
Event Spotlight
The University will host its seventh annual Diversity Conference on Friday, April 8, with keynote speaker Alicia Garza, activist and co-creator of the Black Lives Matter movement. This year's conference urges our community to examine how their  individual academic, personal, and professional passions further diversity and inclusion within the greater social context. If you're in town, we also invite you to join us the night before the conference for a complimentary alumni reception
News
Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair explores the traveling fashion show that redefined empowerment for African-Americans.
Eastman Theatre hosts five-time Grammy Award-winner Kathleen Battle in a musical interweaving of Rochester community and history.
President Seligman announced that he would not ban the transmission of Yik Yak communications through the University's Wi-Fi networks. 
Members of Rochester's Black Students' Union create a national forum to discuss and develop solutions to problems facing the black community, across multiple campuses.
Riyass Qawwali, a Texas-based ensemble that features qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music, will perform at the Eastman School of Music on March 16.
Bishop Gregory Parris '00, who led the University of Rochester Christian Fellowship and the Church of Love Faith Center, died on Sunday, February 28, following an extended stay in the hospital. 
To better inform decisions and policies related to diversity, the University has launched two surveys to gauge campus and workplace climate.
Fueled by a passion for education, Tarik Cristen '16 founds UR chapter of She's The First, a national organization that raises money for girls from low-income countries to receive an education.
Helpful Links
University Alumni Page
For questions, comments, submissions, and requests to remove you yourself from our distribution list, email Cristin Monahan '11, assistant director of affinity and diversity engagement, at [email protected].

            

 

 University of Rochester

University of Rochester Office of Alumni Relations | 300 East River Road | Rochester | NY | 14627