2008 Woodie Awards
Conversations discuss diversity issues
By: Katherine Jarvis
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Online Exclusives
Oct. 1, 2008
As student after student entered Bell Memorial Union Room 210 for the semester's first Conversations on Diversity, more chairs had to be taken out so that everyone would have a place to sit.
Those who got there Sept. 24 and already had seats were in line for cookies, chips and drinks supplied by Associated Students Catering.
"It's an opportunity to eat lunch and hopefully learn something new," said Tray Robinson, coordinator and facilitator of university diversity efforts.
The COD have a theme for the school year, which Robinson and a committee of other staff members brainstorm and decide on, he said. This semester, the focus is on politics and identity, which is important because of the presidential race.
After a theme is decided, various departments and organizations plan the COD, including the Office of Diversity, the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies, the Women's Center and the School of Graduate, International and Interdisciplinary Studies, Robinson said.
While it was the first COD, it was one of five such discussions that will be happening this semester, according to the diversity Web site.
The COD was a discussion on Ruben Reyes' film, "Pancho Goes to College," which is a comedic look at a young Chicano man's journey through college, according to the film's Web site.
Reyes wants people to laugh during the film, but also think a little bit, he said. He and one of the actors in the film, Camiliano Juarez, talked to the audience about their life stories and their heritage, but also joked about it.
There was a viewing of the film Sept. 23, but the discussion last week's discussion wasn't all about the film.
Sophomore Ruben Morales enjoyed the discussion, which was required for his Spanish class.
"It was really interesting," he said. "I thought it was mostly going to be about the movie, but it was mostly about heritage."
While some students may not be able to attend the COD, noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday seems to work best, Robinson said. This time slot has been in place for years, and the events have had a good turnout.
One factor that helps is that many teachers require their students to go to certain COD, Robinson said. He thinks this is because the conversations are a specific opportunity to focus on diversity, which is one of the campus' values.
When students attend the COD, Robinson hopes the discussion challenges and allows them to grow, he said. It also provides students with a time to reflect on their identities.
"The point of it is to create an opportunity where students, faculty, alumni and community members can have an intimate discussion on issues surrounding diversity," Robinson said.
Katherine Jarvis can be reached at
kjarvis@theorion.com
Related links
Conversations on Diversity schedule
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