Unity Week Events to Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion at Holy Cross

Actor and best-selling author Hill Harper to give talk on Nov. 11



The Student Government Association, in partnership with the Diversity Leadership Team and various academic departments, offices and student organizations, have planned various discussions, film screenings, workshops and multicultural festivals around topics related to diversity and inclusion. The events, which run from Nov. 9 to 16, are part of the 14th annual Unity Week celebration.

The events celebrate the diverse interests, talents and views of students, faculty and staff. The Unity Week planning committee says, “This is our chance to celebrate who we are: our race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and background. This is our chance to be proud of who we are; our chance to educate ourselves on who we are not.”

Unity Week means a lot to Chris Campbell '15, the director of diversity for the SGA and member of the Diversity Leadership Team, because "it allows us to learn from those whose experiences, beliefs and perspectives are different from our own." Tom Cadigan ’02, associate director of Alumni Relations and a fellow member of the Diversity Leadership Team, agrees. Diversity and inclusion "are woven into the fabric of our mission statement,” he says. “It's a shared responsibility of the entire campus community. Unity Week is a terrific reminder of that responsibility.”

Sunday, Nov. 9

4:30 p.m. | Mary Chapel Inter-Denominational Service dedicated to Unity Week All members of the campus community are invited to come together in worship as we kickoff Unity Week.

6 p.m. | Hogan 402/03 SGA Dinner Series: ReSSpect Training - Rethinking the Sexuality Spectrum Sponsored by the SGA and PRIDE

7 p.m. | Mary Chapel Mass dedicated to Unity Week All members of the campus community are invited to come together in worship as we kick off Unity Week.

Monday, Nov. 10

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hogan 1 Lobby Faces of the Hill: Photography Project Join us in helping to build a visual library of our community. Have your portrait taken — individually or in small groups. All community members are invited to answer the question, "How do you define yourself?" which will be incorporated into your portrait. Sponsored by the Office of College Marketing and Communications, Diversity Leadership Team, and Office of Multicultural Education

12:30 p.m. | Hogan 406 "Campus Conversation" with the Diversity Leadership Team (brown bag lunch) The campus community is invited to a "meet and greet" with this year's Diversity Leadership Team, chat about diversity and inclusion and ask questions. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Sponsored by the Diversity Leadership Team

4 p.m. | Rehm Library Adjudicating Sexual Assault on Campus This fishbowl-style discussion will focus on the national debate over the pros and cons of whether college campuses, as opposed to law enforcement authorities, are the best venue for adjudicating sexual assault cases. Sponsored by the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture and Women's and Gender Studies

5 p.m. | Hogan 402 Intercultural Relationship Panel Discussion This discussion will educate the Holy Cross community about the complexities, difficulties and beauty of intercultural relationships. Sponsored by Caribbean African Student Assemblage and PRIDE

6 p.m. | Seelos Theatre "The Story of Junius Wilson: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Gender, Class and Deafness" Talk by Susan Burch, Ph.D., associate professor of American Studies at Middlebury College Junius Wilson spent decades at a state mental hospital in North Carolina, including time in the criminal ward. He had never been declared insane by a medical professional or found guilty of any criminal charge. He was deaf and black, however, in the Jim Crow South. Learn about his story. Sponsored by American Sign Language and Deaf Studies

7 p.m. | Healy Hall Kitchen Cooking con Sabor Join us for conversation and some tasty Latin dishes. Sponsored by Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and the SGA

Tuesday, Nov. 11

3:30 p.m. | Levis Browsing Room (Dinand Library) Outfront SafeZone Ally Training Want to learn how to be a GLBTQ ally? Been through a training before, but want to brush up? Want to get a sticker to post on your office or room door? Come support your GLBTQ-identified community members! Sponsored by Outfront: A Holy Cross GLBTQ Faculty and Staff Alliance

7 p.m. | Hogan Ballroom "The Importance of Unity & Community Understanding When It Comes to Diversity" Talk by Hill Harper, actor and best-selling author Come listen to firsthand advice on how our generation can be change makers for the good of society. Sponsored by the Student Government Association

7 p.m. | Stein 118C “1912: Breaking the Silence” Film Screening Learn about the history of Cuba's Partido Independiente de Color. Founded in 1908 by Afro-Cuban veterans of Cuba's war for independence, the PIC was the second black-led party in the Americas. Sponsored by Latin American and Latino Studies NOTE: Cuban film director Gloria Rolando will be on campus Thursday, Nov. 20 to talk about her film “1912: Breaking the Silence.” Her presentation will be held that afternoon at 4 p.m. in Seelos Theatre.

9 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Crossroads Pub Pub Night: "Unity at the Pub" Come celebrate Unity Week at the Pub. Students will have a chance to win $50 gift cards to the Holy Cross Bookstore, InHouse Coffee, and Chipotle. Sponsored by the SGA, Autism Awareness and the Office of Student Involvement

Wednesday, Nov. 12

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hogan 1 Lobby Faces of the Hill: Photography Project Join us in helping to build a visual library of our community. Have your portrait taken — individually or in small groups. All community members are invited to answer the question, "How do you define yourself?," which will be incorporated into your portrait. Sponsored by the Office of College Marketing and Communications, Diversity Leadership Team, and Office of Multicultural Education

12 p.m. | Loyola Ballroom "Lunch and Learn" Workshop on Gender Inequality Take a lunch break during the day to connect with fellow campus members and learn about an important topic. Students, faculty and staff are welcome! Sponsored by the Office of Advancement, the Office of Multicultural Education, and the Diversity Leadership Team

3 p.m. | Seelos Theater “Black Nativity” Film Screening All are invited to watch this 2013 American musical drama based on Langston Hughes' play of the same name. Sponsored by the Seelos Film Series

7 p.m. | Hogan 402/03 "Building Solidarity on Campus" Dialogue Discussion All members of the campus community are invited to participate in this important discussion. Sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Multicultural Peer Educators

8 p.m. | Seelos Theatre “Black Nativity” Film Screening All are invited to watch this 2013 American musical drama based on Langston Hughes' play of the same name. Sponsored by the Seelos Film Series

Thursday, Nov. 13

3 – 5 p.m. | Campion House Food Sampling from Various Faith Traditions Members of the campus community are cordially invited to a sampling of foods from various faith traditions. All are welcome! Sponsored by the Office of the College Chaplains and the Inter-Faith Council

3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Hogan 402/03 An Exercise: “Unconscious Bias in the Workplace” End your workday with a meaningful exercise on this very important topic. Join us for wine and cheese — first come, first served! Limited to 25 participants. Sponsored by the Office of Human Resources

4 – 5 p.m. | Campion House Torah Study with Rabbi Norman Cohen '72 All are welcome to this special gathering. Sponsored by the Office of the College Chaplains

5 – 6 p.m. | Hogan 304-305 The Evolution of Korean Pop (K-Pop) Sponsored by Advocating Students' Interest in Asia (ASIA)

6:30 p.m. | Hogan 409 Reflection Session: "Where Can We Go From Here? Living a Life of Service & Justice" College students today feel an immense pressure to choose a major and, ultimately, a career path. Vocational discernment can be particularly challenging for students who feel called to a counter-cultural career path of community engagement. This session will help you to explore questions such as: Is it necessary to choose between work that is meaningful and work that pays well? How can I best use my unique talents and gifts to serve the common good of society? Sponsored by the Donelan Office of Community-Based Learning

7 p.m. | Stein 118C “1912: Breaking the Silence” Film Screening Learn about the history of Cuba's Partido Independiente de Color (PIC). Founded in 1908 by Afro-Cuban veterans of Cuba's war for independence, the PIC was the second black-led party in the Americas. Sponsored by Latin American and Latino Studies

8 p.m. | Fenwick Theatre “Cloud Nine” Theater Production In this wildly inventive postmodern comedy, playwright Caryl Churchill tackles the topics of gender, sexuality and colonialism. Sponsored by Fenwick Theatre

10 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Easy Street Cupcakes for a Cause Celebrate the kickoff of the Holy Cross Dance Marathon fundraising effort. Sponsored by the Holy Cross Dance Marathon and the Student Government Association

Friday, Nov. 14

7 p.m. | Seelos Theatre “Cesar Chavez” Film Screening All are invited to watch this 2014 drama/biography film directed by Diego Luna about the life of American labor leader César Chávez, who cofounded the United Farm Workers. Sponsored by the Seelos Film Series

8 p.m. | Fenwick Theatre “Cloud Nine” Theater Production In this wildly inventive postmodern comedy, playwright Caryl Churchill tackles the topics of gender, sexuality and colonialism. Sponsored by Fenwick Theatre

10 p.m. | Hogan Ballroom Comedian John Early All are invited to this hilarious show featuring comedian, actor and filmmaker, John Early. Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB)

Saturday, Nov. 15

7 p.m. | Seelos Theatre “Cesar Chavez” Film Screening All are invited to watch this 2014 drama/biography film directed by Diego Luna about the life of American labor leader César Chávez, who cofounded the United Farm Workers. Sponsored by the Seelos Film Series

7 p.m. | Loyola Ballroom Diwali All members of the campus community are invited to participate in this Indian celebration that commemorates the New Year. Join us for music, food and dancing! Sponsored by Developing and Educating South-Asian Ideologies (DESI)

8 p.m. | Fenwick Theatre “Cloud Nine” Theater Production In this wildly inventive postmodern comedy, playwright Caryl Churchill tackles the topics of gender, sexuality and colonialism. Sponsored by Fenwick Theatre

Sunday, Nov. 16

6 p.m. | Loyola Ballroom Head-To-Toe Expo Student models will walk the runway showcasing body art, clothing, and costumes that are representative of the African and Caribbean cultures. The body art will be painted by the Student Art Society. This event will bring cultural awareness to the variety of hair textures and styles that are represented throughout the world. It will also add insight into the symbolism of the body in other countries. Sponsored by Caribbean African Student Assemblage (CASA)

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