What else do people need to be aware of?

[doormouse11]

I got involved on campus last semester and ended up on the committee responsible for organizing events to raise awareness of important current and societal issues on campus.

Every year we have about $5,000 to work with. In the past we have brought in several key note speakers speakers, hosted Earth Day festivals and information fairs for specific issues (women's month fair, international fair...), showed foreign films, had panel discussions on current issues and sponsored fund raisers for events like World Aids Day. Also, sometimes we just put up informational displays around campus. Last year we won the best program of the year award for the GLBT awareness month drag show! .

Most of the members of the committee are good at organizing events, but none of us are experts on the issues, and I'm sure we overlook more stuff than we recognize.

What other current events or societal issues should we try to promote awareness of on campus?

This year's menu so far:

Sexual Assault Educator (key note speaker)
Political process involvement fair
Veteran's Day display
Diversity showcase (cultural dances and skits)
Authors of a book on minority struggles in America coming to campus
Author of a book on the death penalty coming to campus

We're also thinking about doing something for Black History month, the Chinese New Year, and Earth Day, but honestly those events already get a lot of attention on campus from other organizations, so it would probably be beneficial to do something students/faculty have less exposure to. Any ideas?

[Antrax]

Are there any popular speakers about how loathsome political correctness is?
_________________
After years of disappointment with get rich quick schemes, I know I'm gonna get rich with this scheme. And quick!

[Jack_Ian]

Check out http://www.protest.net/

Also, the second phase of the World Summit on the information Society takes place in Tunisia from 16 to 18 November. Their declaration of principles can be viewed here.

Security Vs Liberty - Always a hot topic.

China - New economic powerhouse full of opportunities for the West or doom for manufacturing industries in the developed world. Free-trade etc.

Understanding the European Union - Inclusion of Turkey - Success in preventing war in Europe - Adoption of a new constitution - Absorbtion of Eastern European states - implications for NATO etc.
I recommend reading this, it's a little out of date but highlights the philosophical differences between Europe and the US.

Finally, Muslim Women's Games, Tehran, Iran, September 20-30. Probably too late to do anything about this but women's health and women in sport can prove to be a difficult issue when such strict rules of conduct apply.

[extro...]

[MatthewV]

You should invite Antrax to speak about how loathsome political correctness is. That would be awesome

[RSA]

give me the money, and I'll make everyone aware of my willingness to accept money.

[Courk]

Manatees.

[Aravvella]

The word "Manatee" is yet another infuriating example of society's blatant bigotry towards the female gender. This animal was obviously named by a pig. "Manatee" is as prejudice a term as "manhole cover".

Doormouse, you should be speaking out on the behalf of womyn everywhere.

[hey_herb]

We had womanhole covers in the past, but they were deemed cruel and unusual. It would just bring up too many bad memories of the poor woman who had to wear them and they may start seeking damages for stuff that happened way in the past.

Why on earth would YOU want to bring something like that up???

[GH]

[Pablo]

George Washington's brother Carl, the "Uncle of Our Country".

[Samadhi]

You could have a symposium about how it's wasteful to spend taxpayer/tuition fees on having symposiums about crap.

[Guest]

• Abortion
  
• FGM (Female genital mutilation -- still legal in several countries)
  
• the AIDS crisis in Africa
  
• Homelessness
  
• saving the rain forests
  
• saving the Mississippi delta, tho it might be 5 years too late for that

[just a girl]

obesity (it's a growing problem, no pun intended!)
eating disorders: bulimia, anorexia, fad diets, abuse of diet pills
"cutting"
depression
suicide
binge drinking
substance abuse & addictions in general
birth control
genetic engineering

whoa, there's a nice cheerful list...

[Guest*]

• MGM (Male genital mutilation - still legal everywhere)

[Courk]

Sunshine and rainbows?

[Stained Glass]

English is one of the few languages without genders and there are complaints about the "man" being in words. Sigh.

Sunshine, rainbows and chocolate. :)

[Courk]

Strawberries and lemons. Hearts, stars, horseshoes, clovers and blue moons! Pots of gold and rainbows, and the red balloons!

[Stained Glass]

Falling leaves, stories that let your mind drift to faraway places, and receiving a postcard! And the joy of sending a postcard too!

[Guest]

how bout disability rights and accessibility
e.g. do all the speakers you have speak from platform that is accessible to wheel chairs, are there any tasks rewuired of the committe which would require access that could not be gained by a wheelchir user. ditto for every sabbatical post on campus

[Guest]

[Quailman]

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Not enough people are aware of this important factor in our overall health.

[The Man]

[The Woman]

Get back in the kitchen before I whop you with this broom.

[Neo]

www.venganza.org

[Travis*]

I agree with Samadhi. This reminds me of two people in the cafeteria that were at lunch griping about campus food (it seemed to be the "in" thing to do, a tradition just to moan and complain about how bad it was what they served us at Ferris). They were on some committee that helped decide what foods would be served in the cafeteria.
They told me that I should be on the committee too, that I should "get involved more" regarding important issues like the school food.

As I helped myself to another "spud bite" (that's what they called these potato thingies that were served regularly), I told them I didn't give a damn what food they served, that I liked the food here, it was all better than any of my mom's cooking.

That shut them up. What could they say to that?

I gave them a condescending look as I got up from the table to go through the smorgasbord line yet again.

[extropalopakettle]

Yeah, some people just like to complain.

[Travis*]

Doormouse, you should speak out on extro's sideline sniping.

[Courk]

Hey, let's make people more aware of the GL!

Pro: More GLers
Con: More n00bs.

[Guest]

Jack~ Those are some really good ideas. I think the political science department is doing something on security vs. liberty, but none of the others have been touched on campus.

How do you think ideas like the European Union or the expanding Chinese market could be addressed (should we bring in a speaker, have a panel discussion or round table discussions)? Also, students on our campus are pretty easily intimidated by politics. What's a good way to make big topics seem more inviting?

[doormouse11]

^ me

Just a girl~

I almost forgot! You mentioned birth control awareness... last year I got the to pass out 1000 condoms on campus right before spring break! The condoms were wrapped in flyers advertising one of our events, so everyone who took one thought they were just getting a flyer. It was a little funny/awkward seeing the looks on their faces when they eventually saw the condom...

[Stained Glass]

Don't you think a girl passing out condoms would be sending the wrong message?

[Neo]

Somebody on campus passed out condoms attached to flyers last semester.

And by attached, I mean stapled too.

Usually right through the middle of the package.

I laughed. Loudly. Near them.

[worm]

^apparently needs to be made aware of a some things.

are you afraid that giving out condoms is going to convince some virgins out there that sex isn't such a big deal and that they should get started right away? if they are that susceptible to suggestion, they don't have much of a chance to stay "pure".

many of these kids are active by the time they get to college and most of the rest will be before they leave, regardless of whether you give them condoms.

[worm]

umm...meant for sg...am slow writer

[Travis*]

[Stained Glass]

Yes but 1) people who are active already have their own supply. One more really won't help much. 2) I believe it would stimulate the conversation that leads to the act 3) practical jokes 4) some people would feel uncomfortable.

So, what good does the free condom actually do? Almost none I bet.


A family whom had cabins for rent was visited by a newly wed couple. After several days and nights, the family started to become concerned- this couple never left the cabin! They couldn't recall them bringing in any food in at all. So on the sixth day, the father knocked on the door to make sure everything was all right. They answered wrapped in towels. After being asked about being hungry, they replied, "Ahhh we are living on the fruits of love!".
"Oh, of course!" The father said, "But could you stop throwing the rinds out the window? They are choking my ducks. "

[Travis*]

worm, you should know that while I was poking fun at you, the bacon I had cooking, burned.

[worm]

1) this is a big assumption and a bad one. i wasn't prepared my first time and i even told her no b/c of it (forgive me, travis)...she was very persistent, though.

2) if they're thinking with their heads enough to have a conversation about it, i think that's pretty good.

3) are you thinking of something in particular? if they're more concerned with practical jokes than sex, i'd think you'd be happy.

4) ok, maybe somebody would feel uncomfortable. they'll be a helluva lot more uncomfortable when the plus sign comes up on the test kit or they find out they have an std.

[worm]

sorry for that, travis...burnt bacon is a travesty..