DIY: Sushi Study Break!

Let us help you bring in reading period with a Sushi Study Break! Join us on Thursday, December 3 starting at 6pm for a spectacular study break.

We will learn how to make sushi and eat it!

Chicago's Native American Origins

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage. As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog featured a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities. This week we have provided some information on the Native roots of our home, Chicago.

Chicago’s Native American Origins

At the beginning the Chicago area was inhabited by a number of Algonquian peoples, including the Mascoutens and Miamis. Trade links and seasonal hunting migrations linked these peoples with their neighbours, the Potawatomis to the east, Fox to the north, and the Illinois to the southwest. The name "Chicago" is the French version of the Miami-Illinois word shikaakwa (" Wild Onion"), named for the plants common along the Chicago River, and this has nothing to do with Chief Chicagou of the Michigamea people.

Guest Blogger: Meghan Hammond

I am the Assistant Director for Graduate Student Affairs, which is a central office that supports the graduate student career through the administration and management of fellowships, grants, and academic exchange programs and enhances the graduate student experience through the development and coordination of workshops, communications, services, and programs such as Graduate Student Orientation and the Family Resource Center. We are located in rooms 224, 225, and 227 of the Administration Building, and have an open-door policy: walk-ins welcome! We have a listing of fellowships databases available online, including opportunities specifically for students of color. We work closely with OMSA and other student services offices to connect you with resources that will enable you to make the most of your time at the University, and would love to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your research interests and how best to find resources to support your work. You can also follow us (“UChicago Graduate Student Affairs”) on Facebook—we’d love to have you all as fans!

Campus Events: November 30 - December 3

Monday, November 30
CSRPC presents “The International Association of Black Religions and Spiritualities: History, Present & Future Prospects” by Professor Dwight N. Hopkins
Time: 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Location: Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, 5733 S. University Avenue

Chicago Booth 1st Vale Latin American Leadership Conference
Time: 4:45pm – 6:45pm
Location: CAPS Resource Center in Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th Street
Tickets are $5.00

Summer Links Information Session
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: First Lounge of the Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th Street

AfriCaribe Auditions
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
AfriCaribe Cultural Center, 2547 W. Division Street

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc presents Living La Vida Sana
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

Guest Blogger - Jay Tan

I am Jay Tan, currently a third year in the College. I am majoring in Economics and Psychology. This winter quarter, I am going to participate in the Barcelona Study Abroad Program. I applied to the program early this year and I am glad that I was selected.

Applying for University of Chicago Study Abroad program has always been something on the top of “must-do” list. Why? It is because University of Chicago’s Study Abroad program is very well structured and the civilization programs fulfill 3 quarters of the core requirement in just one quarter. Besides that, Barcelona is a city that has been constantly attracting my attention due to its richness in culture and the phenomenal architectures of the city. The extremely cold winter in Chicago has also prompted me to apply for a study program during winter. All these lead to why I put Barcelona as my first choice when I applied for the program.

One might think that participating in these programs can be very costly. However, this perception is not entirely true. Many offices in the University give out academic grants to aid the successful applicants – Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) being one of them. I learn about this academic grant on the OMSA’s website and decided to try my luck by applying for this grant. And yes, I was graciously awarded a good amount to lighten the cost of the program. Besides that, if you are receiving any kind of financial aid from the University, the aid will still apply despite you going abroad. Thus, Study Abroad Program is not always a very expensive thing to do.

All my friends who took part in these programs never regretted. Some even commented that the quarter where they joined the program is probably going to be their most enjoyable quarter in their entire 4 years of University life. The onsite visits made them understand the text and the culture of a civilization much better. Besides studying, they are also exposed to new languages and of course, enjoying the different kind of delicacies that each country can offer.

Thus, I would also strongly recommend all students in the University to grab this excellent opportunity to apply for the Study Abroad Program. Although my program will only be conducted in Winter quarter, I am sure that I will not regret it and I will have an incredible experience there.

Please continue read this blog as I will post my experiences about my study abroad program when I am in Barcelona next quarter!

Thanksgiving at the University of Chicago

Cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, and of course TURKEY! The most wonderful things of Thanksgiving are celebrated with friends and loved ones. But sometimes, holidays have to be celebrated away from home. With that, Chicago and the University have some events going on to make the small break a little more homey!

On campus:

On Thursday, November 26, a Thanksgiving meal will be offered at South Campus from 11:00am -1:30pm. This event is for meal plan holders. The South Campus Dining hall will be closed after 1:30pm. Hours for dining halls during Thanksgiving Break are as followed:

• Friday, November 27th: 9:00am-7:00pm at South Campus
• Saturday, November 28th:11:00am-2:00pm at South Campus,
• Sunday, November 29th: 11:00am-8:00pm at South Campus, 4:30pm-8:00pm at Pierce, 4:30pm-8:00pm at Bartlett.
  

Notable Native Americans: John Herrington

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage. As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog will feature a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities.

This week's notable individual is John Herrington

John Herrington is an astronaut, of the Chickasaw Nation. Herrington is the first Native American to walk in space when launched November 23, 2002 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Serving as the flight engineer for launch and landing, Herrington vowed to carry the Chickasaw Nation flag with him into space. Members of his tribe watched the historic launch, and Herrington honored his Native American heritage by carrying six eagle feathers, a braid of sweet grass, two arrowheads, and his nation's flag.

Campus Events: November 20 - 25

Friday, November 20

OBS and ACM presents “The Need for Computer Scientists in a Bold New World” by Professor Brian Blake, Associate Dean of Engineering and Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Computer Science and Engineer at the University of Notre Dame
Time: 4:30pm
Location: TBA

Saturday, November 21

Nativo: Take Back Thanksgiving
Time: 8:00pm
Location: 2716 North Avenue

Monday, November 23

International Volunteering Initiative Study Break
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Informational
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Tuesday, November 24

Tuesday, November 24

Race and Religion Workshop: “Prophetic Rage: Black Religious Response to Postmodernity" presented by Johnny Hill, PhD, Assistant Professor of Theology at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
4:15pm – 5:30pm
Location: Room 403 of the Swift Hall, 1025 E. 58th Street

Notable Native Americans: Charlene Teeters

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage. As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog will feature a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities.

This week's notable individual is Charlene Teeters.


Charlene Teeters is an activist, of the Spokane Nation. Teeters has been referred to as the "Rosa Parks" of the American Indians. She campaigned against her alma mater, the University of Illinois, for using a Native American-looking effigy - Chief Illiniwek - dresses in feathers and war paint, as their school mascot. Chief Illinewek would dance to a drumbeat at local football games, humiliating and offending Teeters and others. She began protesting against the Indian mascot at the University of Illinois, then created an 1994 exhibit called "It Was Only an Indian: Native American Stereotypes" which identified Native American racism and stereotypes in the media and corporation advertising.

Campus Events: November 12- November 19

Thursday, November 12

ORCSA: Grad Student Pub Special
Time : 4.00pm -6.00pm
Location: Ida Noyes Hall Pub, 1212 E. 59th Street

Blacklight Literary Magazine 2009 Release Event
Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

Friday, November 13

The Newberry Library Seminar in Latin American History featuring “Marketing Excitement: Bourbon Morality, Gambling and the Royal Lottery in New Spain” by
Javier Villa-Flores, Associate Professor of History and Latin American and Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago
Time: 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Locations: The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton Street

Make Up Student Organization Reapplication Training
Time:3:00pm – 4:45pm
Location: Third Floor Theatre of the Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th Street

Guest Blogger: The OMSA Advisory Board

The OMSA Advisory Board met with a key administrator this past week! Ken Warren, Professor in the Department of English and Deputy Provost for Research and Minority Issues, came to address matters concerning diversity within the faculty, curriculum, and student body on campus.

With respect to faculty, we discussed, among other things, the rising number of African-American faculty at the University. It appears as though the University is “winning more frequently than it is losing” with regards to attaining and retaining faculty of color. At the same time, the University appears to be struggling to attract certain candidates who are not particularly drawn to the campus environment at UChicago. I cannot say that this comes as a surprise, but it appears as though the administration is working hard to draw in a qualified and diverse pool of potential candidates. Furthermore, the board addressed concerns with respect to the time that professors have available to engage with the study body. Both undergraduate and graduate students expressed that their professors are spread too thin while trying to keep up with their personal research efforts, teach the required amount of courses, and meet departmental obligations. Students expressed that a serious effort to recruit more faculty of color would significantly reduce the work load of current faculty, as well as provide more opportunities for meaning faculty-student engagement in the form of longer office hours; faculty contribution to student-organized events; and more substantive faculty advising for student research efforts. There was also discussion regarding post-doctoral positions, and the possibility of hiring future post-docs as potential tenure-track faculty members. We will update you with developments regarding this matter.

UIC Native American Heritage Celebration

The University of Illinois at Chicago is hosting their Native American Heritage Celebration on Friday, Nov 20. The event is titled Native American Art, Media and Communications and will take place at the Student Center East at 750 S. Halsted. For more information, please call 312.996.4515 or email nasp@uic.edu.

Guest Blogger: The OMSA Advisory Board

For those of you not familiar with the OMSA Advisory Board, we are a group of students that meet every other week with AnaVázquez, Deputy Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and members of the administration to discuss various issues concerning the student body. We work with the administration to discuss and attempt to resolve a wide array of issues, ranging from cultural studies programs to safety concerns on campus.

Notable Native Americans: Litefoot

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage. As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog will feature a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities. 

This week's notable individual is Litefoot.


Litefoot is an Actor/ Rapper/ Corporation Owner, of the Cherokee Nation. Litefoot, considered the first commercial Native American Rap Artist, first gained notoriety after releasing the album, "The Money" (1992) on his own Red Vinyl Records. After subsequent albums and touring, he won the Native American Music Award in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Litefoot made his major motion picture debut in 1995, starring in "The Indian in the Cupboard." He then went on to act in several movies including "Kull, the Conqueror", "Mortal Kombat, Annihilation", and "Adaptation."

Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Fellowship Walk in Hours

Interested in learning more about the Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Fellowship?
Stop by 5710 and speak to Ronnie, the university’s DFI Institutional Representative, during any of the follow times:

DFI Walk in Hours

• Monday Nov.16 1:30pm-3pm
• Wednesday Nov.18 3pm-5pm
• Thursday Nov.19 9:30am-11:30am
  

For more information about DFI, please review an earlier post. Click here for the official website.

Campus Events: November 6- November 12

Friday, November 6
Zocalo in Chicago “What Does Immigrant Integration Mean Now?”
Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue

LGBTQ Programming Office First Friday
Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

Chicago Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Reeling, Chicago Lesbian & Gay Film Festival)
November 5-15
Location: Various (check website)

Filipino American Network Chicago’s Filipino American Film Festival
November 6 - November 7
Location: Portage Theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue

November RSO Feature

The University of Chicago’s Native American Student Association, NASA, is an association designed for students and faculty to discuss the cultural, social and political concerns involving Native Americans and to raise knowledge and understanding of these concerns within the U of C community. NASA sponsors Native American social, cultural, and academic events and programs throughout the year in conjunction with other organizations and departments. NASA is strongly dedicated to creating a community of scholars and is open to all University of Chicago students, faculty, staff and alumni, both Native American and non-Native American from all disciplines.

Faculty of Color Panel with Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, Robert Gooding-Williams, Matthew Briones, and Kenneth Warren

Just added: Matthew Briones and Mario Small!

Matthew Briones is an Assistant Professor of American History and in the College. His areas of interest include comparative race relations, Asian/Pacific Islander American history, and African American history. His current projects include “Acts of Repossession: Internment, Interracial, and Ideological Counterpublics from the Popular Front to the Cold War” and work on “the Manilamen,” 18th-century Filipino immigrants who settled in Louisiana.

Mario Small is a Professor of Sociology. His areas of interest include urban poverty, inequality, culture, networks, case study methods, and higher education. His current projects deal with urban conditions, organizations, and networks.

On Monday, OMSA and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture will host professors Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, Robert Gooding-Williams, and Matthew Briones as well as Deputy Provost Kenneth Warren at 5710. They will engage in a conversation about the experience of scholars of color and share their journeys to their present positions at the University of Chicago. They will also discuss topics including obstacles faced by scholars of color, isolation affecting scholars of color, stereotyping of research conducted by scholars of color, and sources of personal motivation.

A little about the panelists:

Kenneth Warren is a Professor in the Department of English and the Deputy Provost for Research & Minority Issues. His focus is American and African American literature from the late nineteenth century through the middle of the twentieth century. His books include Black and White Strangers: Race and American Literary Realism and So Black and Blue: Ralph Ellison and the Occasion of Criticism.

Agnes Lugo-Ortiz is an Associate Professor of Latin American Literature in the Center for Latin American Studies. Dr. Lugo-Ortiz’s focus is nineteenth-century Latin American literature and nineteenth- and twentieth-century Caribbean cultural history. Her books include Identidades imaginadas: Biografía y nacionalidad en el horizonte de la guerra (Cuba 1860-1898). Her current book-length project is “Riddles of Modern Identity: Biography and Visual Portraiture in Slaveholding Cuba (1760-1886)." She has authored various essays on the interconnections between queer sexualities, gender and anti-colonial politics in twentieth-century Puerto Rico.

Robert Gooding-Williams is a Professor of Political Science and in the College. His areas of interest include Nietzsche, Du Bois, Critical Race Theory, African-American Political Thought, 19th Century Continental Philosophy, Existentialism, and Aesthetics. His books include Zarathustra's Dionysian Modernism and Look, A Negro!: Philosophical Essays on Race, Culture, and Politics. He also edited or co-edited Reading Rodney King/Reading Urban Uprising, The Souls of Black Folk (Bedford Books Edition), and "100 Years of The Souls of Black Folk" (Public Culture, Spring 2005).

Notable Native Americans

This month the University of Chicago and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs celebrates Native American Heritage.  As part of the celebration, each week the OMSA Blog will feature a notable Native American and other information about the tribal communities.

This week's notable individual is Naomi Lang.


Naomi Lang is a Pairs Figure Skater, of the Karuk Tribe of California. Lang, who partners with Russian-born Peter Tchernyshev, is the first Native American to participate in the Winter Olympics. The two have competed and placed several times in the U.S Nationals, and also placed 8th in the World Championships. In addition, the two are the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 U.S. Ice Dance Champions.

CANCELLED--LifeSkills Program

The Life Skills--Financial Planning program has been canceled.

If you have further question, please contact Rosa at ryo@uchicago.edu

Thank you.
Rosa