2014 LGBTQIA Student Leadership Retreat

Applications are now being accepted for

The 2014 LGBTQIA Student Leadership Retreat

The University of Minnesota LGBTQIA Leadership Retreat is an annual retreat hosted in the fall for undergraduate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/ally students at the University of MN Twin Cities. The retreat is sponsored by the GLBTA Programs Office and the Queer Student Cultural Center.

The purpose of the retreat is to focus on leadership development and community building while exploring intersecting identities and oppressions through a social justice lens. It is also a great way for students to make new friends and meet new people!

The retreat will take place in Coffman Union on Saturday Oct. 4th, 9am-8pm and Sunday Oct. 5th, 9am-4pm .  Meals will be provided and the retreat is free for U of M undergraduate participants. Space is limited. 

Please fill out the application by Thursdsay, September 18th.

APPLICATION LINK

Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion at the Medical School

ENHANCING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE Thursday, October 30, 2014 4:30 p.m. Reception 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Program Mayo Auditorium   CLICK HERE TO RSVP   The Medical School will host a conversation titled "Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion at the Medical School" on Thursday, October 30, 2014, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in Mayo Auditorium. Our keynote speaker will be Marc A. Nivet, Ed.D., MBA, Chief Diversity Officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges. University leadership will also be in attendance to present and join the conversation. This event will include a special presentation by the Hippocrates Café directed by Jon Hallberg, M.D., Family Medicine and Community Health. This event aims to advance and cultivate our diversity goals. Faculty, staff, students, residents, and fellows are strongly encouraged to attend this event.

Work Study Positions Available with TRIO

The College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, are currently accepting applications for the following student positions (please note that all positions are WORK-STUDY; no exceptions):

• Tutor (work study only) - #193047  
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (work study) - #192994  
• Student Office Assistant - #193069  

About TRIO UB:

TRIO UB is a federally funded college prep program focused on equipping low income, first generation and urban Minneapolis high school students with the skills and information needed to achieve their collegiate dreams. Tutors and Teaching Assistants require weekly availability during the hours of our after-school services which run M-Th from 3-6pm in Appleby Hall. Office Assistants should have daytime availability between 9-5pm M-Th. 

TO APPLY: 

Go to employment.umn.edu and search the position using the requisition numbers listed above. All positions require an updated resume, cover letter, and references and college transcripts; final candidates must pass a criminal background check.

Timeline: Interviews end of August, early September; Staff will start no later than 9/20 (training). TRIO UB academic year after-school services are held at Appleby Hall and will start on 9/29. 

Tongues Untied: A Space for LGBTQ Students of Color

Tongues Untied began in 2010, after its founders heard from other LGBTQ students of color about their experiences of isolation and feelings about having to compartmentalize their race, gender identity, and sexuality. Named after the 1989 semi-documentary film directed by Marlon Riggs, the program is not intended as a support group, but rather as a space for LGBTQ students of color to gain a sense of empowerment that positively impacts their academic success and persistence to graduation.

Now in its third year, Tongues Untied is an official program housed in the GLBTA Programs Office within the Office for Equity and Diversity at the University of Minnesota, and is open to LGBTQ students, staff and faculty of color at the University and from other institutions in the area, as well as community members.

Tongues Untied gatherings have ended for Spring 2014, but keep an eye out for them in the Fall 2014, as they have a rotating schedule each month, usually in room 41 Appleby Hall from 5:30pm-6:30pm with food provided. 

For more information, contact Jason Jackson at jacks973@umn.edu or go to their Facebook page!

Creating Towards Utopia: An Evening of Art, Poetry, and Conversation

On the evening of Friday, April 25th, friends, family, and faculty members gathered at Café Southside to support students in CHIC 4232 Chicano/a - Latino/a Gender & Sexuality Studies, a course in the Chicano & Latino Studies Department at the U of M taught by Jessica López Lyman. As part of their final projects, students elected to showcase their creativity through art and poetry.

The course explored the works of Cherríe Moraga, Gloria Anzaldúa, Emma Pérez, José Esteban Muñoz, and Brandon Lacy Campos. Students were asked to present their own idea(s) of Utopia, one that progresses toward a "forward-dawning futurity"--a space which celebrates people of diverse identities and experiences.

This Spring 2014, some MLK students took this class and their work is highlighted below. Yen Tran (Fluidity) and Khin Oo (Finding the Utopian in the Quotidian) both presented visual art pieces and Jessica Ngo read from a written piece entitled, "Be."

The MLK Jr. Program would like to congratulate these students on their hard work in this course.

L-R: Yen Tran (Fluidity), Jessica Ngo ("Be"), and Khin Oo (Finding the Utopian in the Quotidian)

MLK Spotlight - Warlance: A Celebration of Our Cultural Heritage

Warlance is a junior majoring in Communication Studies. This post is part of the MLK Spotlight, a regular feature on our blog. The goal is to highlight MLK student (or staff) stories, experiences, and perspectives. Have something you'd like to share? Send an email to mlkdesk@umn.edu, or ask your adviser!

Warlance and the mural he created on the second floor of Coffman Memorial Union

It can be said that the context of life is based upon the influential cultures that it embodies. Existent upon this is the collective instinct of human nature to expressively display culture in daily experience. Here, at the University of Minnesota, the Second Floor of Coffman is where the diversity of culture manifests and it is the place to be on campus. Art thrives, cultures mix, and the collective actions of peace, love, and happiness influence every attitudinal gesture that reflects the purposes of the Second Floor of Coffman. Whether to “bridge the gap," appreciate differences, or instill a level of comfort accessible to all, the Second Floor of Coffman has every intention to celebrate the diversity that exists here at the University of Minnesota. It was this objectivity that gave me the inspiration to construct a piece of artwork that would embody the purpose of every culture that lives and thrives from within the University. 

MLK Spotlight - Julia: Working to reduce suicide rates

This post is part of the MLK Spotlight, a regular feature on our blog. The goal is to highlight MLK student (or staff) stories, experiences, and perspectives. Have something you'd like to share? Send an email to mlkdesk@umn.edu, or ask your adviser! Julia shared with us the blurb below. To read more about her mission, click here. 

One year ago the University of Minnesota lost Matt Challou, an amazing student, to suicide. Julia Schliesing, a friend of Matt and an MLK senior and political science major, decided to run for Miss America in order to reduce the suicide rate in this country. Last fall she took home the title of Miss Minneapolis, and will compete for the title of Miss Minnesota in June. 

On Wednesday, February 19 from 11 am - 1 am at the Station 19 Buffalo Wild Wings off of University Ave, Julia will be hosting the Matt Challou Memorial Fundraiser. On the day of the fundraiser, 10% of all food purchases will go to Julia's favorite organization, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), which educates local communities about suicide prevention.  Stop in at anytime during the 19th to meet Miss Minneapolis and selflessly enjoy some delicious food. There will be acoustic live music in the evening, a silent auction, and a raffle; just print off and bring the ticket below. Bring your friends!