I want to bring to your attention a troublesome event held by a USI entity, not a student organization, back in September.
On September 9 and 10, USI's Multicultural Center held the "2011 Black and Brown Summit of Excellence." The calendar posting from USI's website is pasted below. (This posting can be found at https://www.usi.edu/webservices/calendar_03/index.asp?year=2011&month=9&day=9&range=day&eventdetail=39862&audience=0&category=0 )
This was obviously a segregationist event. I emailed the event contact person to ask if other "Summits" would be held for other "groups," and never received a reply.
Unlike the Black Student Union, a student organization, which explicity states that anyone of any race can join its group (see at the bottom inside this link: http://www.usi.edu/mcc/bsu.asp ), nowhere did I see a similar open invitation to the "2011 Black and Brown Summit of Excellence." Therefore, I have to conclude that it was not only a segregationist event, it was also a discriminatory event.
Here is a pdf of the workshop sessions for the event. Workshop Session 1 included an examination of Indiana's SB 590 and the Dream Act. Apparently this was meant to denigrate SB 590, while championing the Dream Act. Was this a proper use of state (university) funds especially in the context of a race based event? (i.e., this was not a student political organization holding the event with a particular view, where you might expect such advocacy.) Also note in women's Workshop 3, "Dangerously in Love," condoms were given out to the women. Does this fit with USI's definition of "Excellence"?
Finally, the sponsor of this event, USI's Multicultural Center, has USI's Creed posted on its website which reads, in part, "I will reject and confront all manifestations of discrimination...." The posting of the USI Creed can be found here: http://www.usi.edu/mcc/usicreed.asp How ironic that this organization, which touts the USI Creed on its own website, blatantly violates that creed.
Here is a pdf of the workshop sessions for the event. Workshop Session 1 included an examination of Indiana's SB 590 and the Dream Act. Apparently this was meant to denigrate SB 590, while championing the Dream Act. Was this a proper use of state (university) funds especially in the context of a race based event? (i.e., this was not a student political organization holding the event with a particular view, where you might expect such advocacy.) Also note in women's Workshop 3, "Dangerously in Love," condoms were given out to the women. Does this fit with USI's definition of "Excellence"?
Finally, the sponsor of this event, USI's Multicultural Center, has USI's Creed posted on its website which reads, in part, "I will reject and confront all manifestations of discrimination...." The posting of the USI Creed can be found here: http://www.usi.edu/mcc/usicreed.asp How ironic that this organization, which touts the USI Creed on its own website, blatantly violates that creed.
I find it hard to believe that such an event would fit in with USI's commitment to racial nondiscrimination.
Glen Kissel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Engineering, USI
| 2011 Black and Brown Summit of Excellence | ||
| When | Date | 9/9/2011 |
| Time begins | 3:30 PM | |
| Time ends | No specific end time. | |
Recurring event
| Yes (click here to go to the next recurrence) Last event: 9/11/2011 | |
| Where |
Location
| University Center |
| Event details | The 2011 Black and Brown Summit of Excellence is a two day program geared towards men and women of both African American and Latino heritage. Day 1 begins with registration for the ladies at 3:30 p.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2011. From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the females will attend 3 workshop sessions that are devoted to empowering and encouraging success for African American female and Latina students. The ladies will have the option to choose from up to three topics for Sessions 1 and 3. For session 2, all of the participating females will be brought together to talk about relationships with a panel of the men. The sessions will wrap up at approx. 8 p.m. and will be followed immediately by a Summit Mixer from 8-10 p.m., which is an opportunity for ALL participants of the summit to mix and mingle while enjoying music. Day 2 will start at 11 a.m. for registration, and is structured around three sessions that cover a range of topics related to empowering and encouraging success among African American and Latino men. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and will be followed by the first session at 12:30 p.m. Just like the ladies, the men will have the option to choose from up to three topics for Sessions 1 and 3, and for Session 2 will come together for a chat with a panel of ladies. All events on Saturday, September 10 will wrap up at approx. 3:15 p.m. To register, visit the MCC's web site or stop by for an application. Space is limited, so act fast! Registration deadline is September 2, 2011. | |
| Event fee |
This is a no-cost event.
| |
| Sponsored by |
Multicultural Center
| |
| Event contact |
Name
| Danielle Beebe |
E-mail
| cdbeebe@usi,edu | |
Phone
| 465-7188 | |
Event info.
| http://www.usi.edu/mcc.asp | |
