March 2015

Issue: 13
EXPRESSIONS
Sustained Dialogue Groups Moving from Dialogue to Action Plans 

 
Sustained (Donut) Dialogue Participants enjoying Donuts and Dialogue at the Crossroads

Seven students, a faculty member, and a staff member stepped into the leadership role as SD moderators for Spring Semester 2015.  The moderators have joined to form four Sustained Dialogue groups on campus, with two of them student-only SD groups, and the other two blended (faculty, staff, and students) groups.  The SD moderators are supported by Jamie Cathcart (SD Advisor), Dan Hofrenning (SD Coordinator), Joshua Lee (SD Advisor), and Sindy Fleming (SD Coordinator). We had 55 participant applications and 9 moderators.  The final cohort of participants and moderators includes 52 students, four faculty and eight staff.   

 

The four groups have just completed Stage Three, "Why?" This stage is a root cause analysis of a community's tension or conflict that the dialogue group has surfaced. This week they will move on to Stage Four, exploring the "How." During this stage the groups will brainstorm some tactical actions that will help address the root cause of their tension/conflict. The goal of the Sustained Dialogue groups is to reach Stage Five, the implementation of their action plan, by early May.

 

Each of the groups has selected a different topical focus. SD Group One is focusing on increasing social literacy with respect to the "big eight" dimensions of social identity. The group's work will consist of two facets: a survey to gauge students' interests and perceived importance of these issues, and the development of a workshop that will follow the Sustained Dialogue model of communicating and teach thoroughly about the "big eight." Ultimately, SD Group One would like to develop a general education course for credit, that teaches about the "big eight," the conflicts surrounding them, and how to engage with these issues.  

 

SD Group Two is focusing on mental health and mental illness, and SD Group Three is focusing on conceptualizations of race -- individual, institutional, and systemic. Both groups are currently in discussion as to what their plan of action will be.  

 

SD Group Four is looking into developing spaces on campus to have uncomfortable conversations regarding the "big eight" dimensions of social identity in the U.S. The group will also conduct a community survey to help them with their implementation.  (full article )

  

For additional information or interest forms, visit the Sustained Dialogue.

Cultural Conversations Series: Race, Class, and Place- What Can Colleges Do? 
Professor  Eric Fure-Slocum Engaging Students in a Inequality Conversation

   

On Wednesday, March, 2015 Professor Eric Fure-Slocum focused on the landscape of inequality in higher education. He described inequality as a rising issue that has worsened since World War II, especially in public resources such as funding in public schools and clean safe environments. Both of which are areas that people of color have been disadvantaged in. This has become a challenge for people of color, seeking enriching opportunities that will provide them with a better quality of life. 


Fure-Slocum then spoke of the rising college enrollment rates in the 1980s, and compared them to the low completion rates of people of color. He mentioned how many public colleges and universities help students of color with admissions, but do not have the resources to help them graduate. This results in staggered graduation rates of people of color in higher education institutions across the nation.

 

In the large group discussion students agreed that the St. Olaf community needs to promote awareness about the racial inequalities and experiences that students face.  

-A.G. 

Leaders Attend the Spring Leadership Training
 
Dedicated Student Organization Leaders During the Training
On Sunday, April 12th from 8:30am-12:00pm over 10 current multicultural organization leaders and over 10 future multicultural organization leaders gathered for the annual Spring Leadership Training. The purpose of the training was to give an opportunity to the new elected leaders to gain insight from their organization's previous leaders about the 'ins' and 'outs' of programming on campus as well as set the goals for their organization. They discussed methods to address dialogue in each organization, and any other difficulties or successes their organization might have encountered.  

 

 Jacqueline M., the future president of Presente, exclaimed, "I enjoyed meeting the new leaders of multicultural organizations and seeing that they are just as enthusiastic as I am to collaborate in the months to follow."  

 

The training included icebreakers, an interactive event planning session, panel of current leaders, and important financial information. Current leaders and Sindy Fleming worked together to help lead the training and answer any questions students had. Overall, the training deemed beneficial for the reflection process of current leaders and helped create innovative ideas for future leaders of these organization.  

 

In conclusion, Bonnsy V., the current Multicultural Senator, stated, "One thing I took away is the positive attitudes in the eyes of the new co-chairs for next year."       

 -J.O.  

Cultural Conversations Series: Celebrating Difference: "When the Whole Classroom is White-Except..." Probably You.  
Professor Iddrisu Addressing  Issues Facing the Olaf Community
 
"Diversity is not just a sprinkling of other people frothe world, but it is inclusiveness."  - Professor Iddrisu

In this month's cultural conversation, Professor Iddrisu shared with us his experiences in the United States as an international student as well as a Professor. With this he discussed inclusion and how we, students of color or international

students, let ourselves become a part of the conversation in order to convey what we know. This may mean getting over the fear of speaking English differently than the way others do. By participating and contributing to classroom discussions, students of multicultural background can contribute their knowledge and show that they too have something to offer. 

 

Conversation and communication are necessary for breaking down stereotypes and ignorance in our community. As Professor Iddrisu stated "it is up to us to educate the ignorant, that is how we become included. There are just some people who do not know or do not understand simply [be]cause of the way they are raised...if we do not interact we both lose". 

 

A lesson and take away from this conversation was that differences and diversity should be celebrated, not shunned.   

-P.V. 

Multicultural Alumni Fund Recipients 2014-2015 

Sha-Narah Bratt, Lakresha Williams, and Laura Aguas Recipients (From left to right)
I'm so thrilled to be a recipient of the Multicultural Alumni Fund! In January, I received news that I had been accepted into the Teach For America Chicago Corps for 2015. I will be moving to Chicago this summer to train and become a middle school, language arts teacher in a high-poverty, inner-city middle school as well as attend Dominican University for my Masters in Education...(full article)      -S.B.

 

I will use the Multicultural Alumni funds to pay for my Social Work Licensure Examination fees. This brings me one step closer to obtaining my Social Work Licensure, which I need for future employment. Currently, my post-graduation plan is to work full-time as a licensed social worker in the non-profit or government sector. Although I have no set plans as of yet, I remain hopeful and optimist! One day (soon), I will begin my career as an advocate and case manager alleviating barriers and empowering individuals to create change within their own lives and home communities.   - L.W.                                                                                                        

I am grateful to be a Multicultural Alumni Fund Recipient, because the Fund will help me cover my Minnesota Social Work License application and test fees. As a professional and humanistic social worker, it is important that I have credentials to legally practice with individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Keeping up with the politics (i.e. licensing and membership fees) of social work may become strenuous, and I am thankful the Multicultural Affairs Office is able to support my initial steps. I decided I want to do something not completely related to social work after graduation and explore other opportunities. Therefore, I will pursue a yearlong International Intern position for the Center for Global Education Augsburg, at the study abroad programs in Mexico.         -L.A.

In This Issue
Update on Sustained Dialogue
Cultural Conversations Series: Rethinking our Categories for Diversity
Spring Leadership Training
Cultural Conversations Series: Celebrating Difference: "When the whole Classroom is White-..."
Multicultural Alumni Fund Recipients
 

Ole Scavenger Hunt by the Program Assistants 
International Night  
Senior Celebration - Dave & Buster's
Dinner & Discussion with Professor Ibtesam Al-Atiyat on Islamic Feminism -Diversity Awareness House
Viva La Raza
Holi
Asia Week
 
Awarded Scholarships

Ronald E. Hunter Endowed Scholarship

Martin Luther King Scholarship

Class of 1987 Scholarship

Class of 1990 Scholarship

Hartwig Scholarship

Hoeft Scholarship

Class of 1960 Scholarship

Patten Endowed Scholarship

Katherine Olson Schol

If you would like to contribute to the Fund please "click" the button above.




Upcoming Events

  •  Senior Commencement Reception-May 24th 11:00 am-12:30 pm in BC111
Please visit our Events Web Page for more information.

St. Olaf College
Multicultural Affairs~Visit our website!
 St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Contact us at [email protected] or 507-786-3060