iUnite 2009
As a demonstration of the commitment of Illinois to inclusivity, the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, a Division of Student Affairs, is pleased to announce the second annual celebration of “I-Unite: Explore, Engage, Embrace”. The campus-wide event is an exciting opportunity for the campus to learn about and celebrate the unique cultures and contributions of faculty, staff, and students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The events are intended to engage students, faculty, staff, and community members in critical dialogue as well as create safe spaces for all groups and individuals to enhance their understanding about the complexity of intersecting identities. I-Unite encourages all members of the University community to embrace the value of differences in individuals, communities, and cultures, while exploring diversity and inclusion through local and global lenses.
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 21
QUENCH: Sexuality and Immigration Law
Presenter: Dr. Siobhan B. Somerville, Associate Professor, Department of English/ Gender and Women's Studies Program
12-1pm, Women's Resources Center
Free Lunch Provided. Sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations and the LGBT Resource Center
Film: A Jihad for Love
Fourteen centuries after the revelation of the holy Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, Islam today is the world’s second largest and fastest growing religion. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the many worlds of this dynamic faith, discovering the stories of its most unlikely storytellers: lesbian and gay Muslims.
6-7:30pm, Main Lounge, Allen Hall
Food & Refreshments Provided. Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center, LGBT Resource Center, Program on Intergroup Relations, and Housing Multi-Cultural Advocates
La Casa Cultural Latina PRESENTE!
Latina/o Student Organizations Talk about Histories, Legacies and Futures at Illinois
Representatives of Latina/o and multicultural RSOs facilitate a discussion on the impact that student organizations have had and can have on campus life and activism.
6-7:30pm, La Casa Cultural Latina
Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22
Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers Focuses on the unique multicultural issues facing college counseling centers. This conference provides a forum to address the needs, concerns, and implications for counseling culturally diverse students in the campus environment. Counseling broadly defined includes a wide range of services. The goal of the conference is to bring together practitioners, researchers, and students interested in the impact that cultural differences (including – but not limited to – race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social class, and disability) have on counseling. www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/?page_id=380
Sponsored by the Counseling Center
Tuesday, September 22
Staff Training - Diversity Dialogues: How to celebrate and work with multiplicity and intersections of identities
University of Illinois staff members are invited to an energetic and lively discussion led by one of the nation’s foremost experts on diversity and cross cultural issues in higher education. Speaker: Dr. Joseph L. White, “godfather” of Black psychology and author of numerous books including Building Multicultural Competency: Development, Training, and Practice and The Psychology of Blacks: An African American Perspective. This event is free but all attendees must RSVP as space is limited. Please email carswell@illinois.edu by September 15.
8:30am – continental breakfast
9-11am – presentation/q&a
Illini Media – 512 E. Green Street, 4th Floor
Sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, SCPF, and the Counseling Center
Food for Thought: Mystical Arts of Tibet
The monks of Deprung Loseling Monastery will have an interactive dialogue about the cultural arts of Tibet and their week long creation of the Mandala sand painting. Free lunch provided.
12-1pm, Asian American Cultural Center
Being Black and Male in Higher Education
This session will be led by Dr. Joe White, co-author of Black Man Emerging: Facing the Past and Seizing a Future in America. All attendees are encouraged to listen to critical issues facing African American males and what positive forces are needed to ensure that they reach their greatest potential.
Speaker: Dr. Joseph White
6-7pm, FAR- Trelease Main Lounge
Sponsored by the Central Black Student Union, University Housing, and Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
The Art of Networking: Enhance Your Networking Skills
6-7pm, La Casa Cultural Latina
Sponsored by The Career Center and La Casa
Wednesday, September 23
Inclusive Illinois Day of Celebration and Commitment
Celebrate the campuswide initiative by visiting the lobby of your college or unit and make your commitment! Learn more about diversity, inclusivity, and Inclusive Illinois. www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu/InclusiveCommit.html
Sponsored by Inclusive Illinois, all colleges and units, and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA)
Food for the Soul: Never Alone
Speaker: Reverend Harold Davis
12-1pm, Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
Free Lunch Provided. Sponsored by Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center and the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
Stepping from the Past and Strolling into the Future
Come experience a step & stroll competition featuring fraternities and sororities from Illinois' United Greek Council.
7-9pm, The ARC Auditorium
Sponsored by United Greek Council and La Casa
The Hysterical Alphabet: A Multi-Media History
Hysteria’s 4000-year history deeply inflects our ideas about gender and illness. The ancient Greek myth of the traveling uterus, Freud's Dora, and the French-Victorian vibrator all reveal hysteria as a cultural symptom. This multi-media production offers a history of hysteria with humor, playfulness, and critical insight. Terri Kapsalis reports episodes from medical lore in a "hysterical" version of the alphabet backed by Danny Thompson's disquieting film collages and John Corbett's musical manipulations.
7:30-9pm, Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
Hosted by the Department of History and School of Art and Design In conjunction with: Art Graduate Student Organization, Community Informatics Initiative, Department of Dance, Department of English, Department of Psychiatry, Gender and Women's Studies Program, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Institute for Communications Research, I-Space Gallery, Medical Humanities and Social Sciences Program, Spurlock Museum, Women's Resources Center
Thursday, September 24
Lunch @ La Casa: “Our Histories: What Happened in 1992?”
12-1pm, La Casa Cultural Latina
Free Lunch Provided. Sponsored by La Casa and Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
Practicing Cross-Cultural Leadership Skills
Come to this fun and interactive session to learn about how leadership skills are similar and different across cultures, as well as how you can become a more effective leader across these cultures.
6-7pm, 290 Illini Union
Sponsored by the Illinois Leadership® Center
Jeffrey Ma Lecture - Playing the Hand You’re Dealt with: The Man Behind “21”
Asian- American, pop culture lecture and free event for students featuring the former M.I.T. Blackjack team member that inspired the film “21.”
7-9pm, Illini Union Illini Rooms
Sponsored by the Illini Union Board
La Casa Cultural Latina Enlaces con la Comunidad: La Casa's Commitment to Community Outreach
Learn how community outreach has been part of La Casa, Latina/o students, and alumni since its inception and explore how you can help.
6pm, La Casa Cultural Latina
Illini Union Board Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Student Welcome Back Event
Cosmic Bowling night with FREE bowling, billiards, pizza, and soda specials for LGBT students, faculty, staff, allies and advocates.
9:30-11:30pm, Illini Union Rec Room
Sponsored by Illini Union Board and LGBT Resource Center
Friday, September 25
Film: Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in this American drama. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an iron-willed veteran living in a changing world, who is forced by his immigrant neighbors to confront his own long-held prejudices.
7-9pm, ARC Auditorium
Sponsored by University Housing
Noche de Risas: Night of Laughs
Celebrate La Casa's 35th Anniversary with a night of laughs featuring Andrew Kennedy & Erik Rivera. Kennedy is a storyteller who weaves the characters from his life into each inspiring performance. Rivera's "boy next door" good looks and unique perspective make him one of New York's fastest rising young comedians. Recently shot in Funny People After Dark for MTv Network, Rivera’s quick wit and commanding stage presence make him a favorite act at comedy clubs in New York City.
9-11pm, Illini Union Courtyard Café
Sponsored by La Casa, SORF, SCPF, Illini Union Board, and Illinois Student Organizations.
Saturday, September 26
Indigenous Sexualities Symposium
A one-day symposium that offers Indigenous perspectives about sexuality and gender identities in relation to Native communities.
9:30am-5pm, Asian American Cultural Center
Sponsored by American Indian Studies, Native American House, SCPF, LGBT Resource Center and Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
Culture Shock!
Come and experience world cultures through performances, music, and great food. In one night the Illini Union Board, with the help of many student organizations and campus departments, will take you around the world in a matter of hours. Join us during iUnite week for an unforgettable Culture Shock!
6-9pm, Illini Union Illini Rooms, Courtyard Cafe and Pine Lounge
Sponsored by the Illini Union Board
La Casa Cultural Latina’s 35th Anniversary Dinner
The 35th Anniversary Celebration will recognize and honor the history of La Casa, articulating a vision for the future. This celebration presents opportunities for collaboration and innovation as the University of Illinois addresses issues of diversity, recruitment and retention, and scholarship in the 21st century.
6-9pm, Alice Campbell Alumni Center
There is a charge to attend this event. To register, go to http://www.studentaffairs.illinois.edu/diversity/lacasa/35anniversary.html
Ongoing Event
Mystical Arts of Tibet
Sponsored by the SCPF, Asian American Cultural Center, and Illini Union
Opening Ceremonies
Mandala: Akshobhya – The Unshakable Victor for conflict resolution & peace
Be a part of the ceremony as the monks of Deprung Loseling Monastery culturally prepare the Union for the week long interactive live exhibit of the Mandala sand painting.
Mon, Sept 21: 12-1pm, Illini Union Pine Lounge.
Mandala Sand Painting Live Exhibition
Watch the live interactive creation of the Mandala sand painting made from millions of colorful grains of sand by the monks of Deprung Loseling Monastery.
Mon, Sept 21: 1-6pm, Illini Union Pine Lounge
Tue-Thu, Sept 22-24: 10am-6pm, Illini Union Pine Lounge
“Tibet Today: The History of Diaspora”
This lecture focuses on the contemporary Tibet situation: the invasion by Communist China in the 1950s, the efforts of the refugees in exile to preserve their civilization and the situation in occupied Tibet.
Tue, Sept 22: 7:30-9pm, Illini Union Ballroom Cultural Center
Co-sponsors: Student Cultural Programming Fee, Global Crossroads Living Learning Community-University Housing, Buddhist for World Peace
Reception (students by invitation only)
Thu, Sept 24: 7-8pm, Asian American Cultural Center
Mandala Finish
Fri, Sept 25: 10-11am, Illini Union Pine Lounge
Mandala Closing Ceremonies
Fri, Sept 25: 12-1pm, Illini Union Pine Lounge
Displays and Observances
The University of Illinois Student Alumni Ambassadors and Alumni Association is proud to celebrate our diverse alumni. Visit the Alice Campbell Alumni Center at 601 South Lincoln Avenue throughout iUnite Days and learn about the lives and achievements of our University of Illinois alumni.
"Posters from the Chicago Women's Graphics Collective"
September 11 - October 2 @ the Women's Resources Center: 2nd Floor, 703 S. Wright Street (In the FreeStar Bank Building), Champaign
The Chicago Women's Graphics Collective was part of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union and active from 1969-1983, a few years after the Chicago Women's Liberation stopped.
National Banned Books Week
September 26 - October 3
During September, read along with the Women’s Resources Center. Read a Banned Book by a woman writer and join us on FaceBook (Women's Resources Center Event Listserv) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/UIUCWRC) to discuss:
• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Forever by Judy Blume
• Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden
(Not Between but) From the East and the West Art Exhibit
September 8, 2009 to October 30, 2009 @ Asian American Cultural Center
What Students are Saying
