MISS To ‘UniDiversify’ Campus With Week Of Events

The Office of Multicultural and International Student Services will give SHSU some 'UniDiversity' with a week filled with activities designed to enhance awareness of other cultures, as well as foster unity within the campus community and celebrate differences.

On Monday (Oct. 17), the third annual event will officially kick off at 4 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom with diversity activities, T-shirts and free ice cream.

Tuesday, a student-led panel will discuss the benefits and negative aspects of interracial relationships with the “Interracial Dating Program,” at 2 p.m. in LSC 320.

“ This event will feature an agree/disagree activity, which will help guide discussion about interracial relationships and biracial children,” said MISS program coordinator Jennifer T. Roberts. "(We hope) to help educate attendees on the current statistics of interracial dating and to enable them to participate in a discussion about personal stereotypes that they may have about this phenomenon.

"Personally, I think that the misunderstanding surrounding interracial dating and biracial children is that the phenomenon has just started to increase in the past 20 years," Roberts said. "It has been occurring in the United States since it's foundation."

Quiche, gumbo and crepes will be some of the featured foods included during the Taste of SHSU—France on Wednesday, beginning at noon in the LSC Mall Area. Along with the cuisine, MISS will have French-inspired crafts, music, and games, all with no passport required, Roberts said.

On Thursday, the office will work toward “Building a Community of Unity” during a cultural think tank devoted to unifying and diversifying SHSU’s campus. Different and diverse groups who would like their input to be hear are encouraged to attend, at 2 p.m. in LSC Room 320, according to Roberts.

Finally, students, faculty and staff will come together Friday at 2 p.m. for a second think tank, this time devoted to making attendees aware of the diversity initiatives that exist at SHSU and brainstorm programs and events to increase diversity education on campus. The event will be held in LSC Room 315.

Refreshments will be served during all the events, and those who attend are eligible for Multicultural Awareness Certification Points.

Those who attend four events, including community members, will earn MAC Certification.
For more information, contact the Office of MISS at 936.294.DVST or officeofmiss@hotmail.com.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Oct . 14, 2005
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