Congratulations Ameya Pawar and Will Burns!

OMSA congratulates Ameya Pawar and Will Burns for their aldermanic wins in the 47th and 4th Wards! Both Pawar and Burns are University of Chicago alumni.

Pawar is one of the youngest members of the Chicago City Council at 30 years old. He is a program assistant at Northwestern University and graduated from the School of Social Service Administration in 2009. Pawar is also the first Indian-American to become Chicago alderman.

Burns is a State Representative and also a University of Chicago alumni. Burns also formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Illinois Senate President. Burns is an active member of the 4th ward and surrounding communities.

Weekly Schedul - Feb. 26 - Mar. 3

Saturday, February 26

Memorial for Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs
Presented by: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rockefeller Chapel, 1156 East 59th Street

Heritage Ball
Presented by: Organization of Black Students
7:00 – 10:00 PM
McCormick Tribune Lounge of Reynolds Club, 5706 South University Avenue

Sunday, February 27

Celebration of Black History Month Concert
Presented by: International House
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Assembly Hall of International House, 1414 East 59th Street

Monday, February 28

Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Tales
Sponsored by the Office of LGBTQ Student Life and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs with our co-sponsors, University Theater, the Reva and David Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts, the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, and the Black Youth Project
6:00 – 8:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Tuesday, March 1

Mexican Studies Seminar - Christina Bueno
Presented by: Katz Center for Mexican Studies
12:00 – 1:30 PM
John Hope Franklin Room, Social Science Research Building, 1126 E 59th Street

“Perceptions from the Stage” Discussion, Performance and Lunch with Elena Urioste
Presented by: The University of Chicago Department of Music, Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, The Soviet Arts Experience
12 PM
4^th Floor in Goodspeed Hall in the Fulton Recital Hall, 1010 E. 59^th Street
RSVP required for free lunch to jessicas@uchicago.edu. Deadline to RSVP is Friday, February 25.

OMSA 1st Year College Student Mixer
Presented by: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA)
6:00 – 8:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Wednesday, March 2

SSA Diversity Open Forum
4:45 – 6:15 PM
Room E-I, School of Social Service Administration, 969 East 60th Street

Beyond a BA: Exploring Post-Graduate Opportunities
Presented by Organization of Latin American Students
7:00 – 10:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Thursday, March 3

Caribbean Studies and Latin American History Workshops: Robin Derby
Presented by: Center for Latin American Studies
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Room 114 of Kelly Hall, 5848 South University Avenue

Available Metcalf Opportunities Info Session
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
5:00 – 6:30 PM
West Lounge of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Weekly Schedule: Feb. 18 - 24

Friday, February 18

Law School Musical
Presented by: International House
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Assembly Hall, International House, 1414 East 59th Street

Mind, Body, and Soul
Presented by: Organization of Black Students
7:00 – 10:00 PM
McCormick Tribune Lounge of Reynolds Club, 5706 South University

Saturday, February 19

Law School Musical
Presented by: International House
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Assembly Hall, International House, 1414 East 59th Street

Democracy Remixed: Black Youth & the Future of American Politics
Presented by: Affinity, Chicago Freedom School, Chicago Hip Hop Civic Engagement Project, Chicago Votes, Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, Southwest Youth Collaborative, Teachers for Social Justice, Free Write Jail Arts & Literacy Program, Organization of Black Students at the University of Chicago; Words, Beats & Life; and The Black Star Project
2:00 – 5:00 PM
Chicago Urban Art Society, 2229 S. Halsted Avenue
Free and open to the public. RSVP required at events@prairie.org

Malcolm X and the American Muslim Narrative
Presented by: Muslim Students Association
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Cloister Club of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street
Tickets are available at Reynolds Club throughout the week. $5 for Dinner and Lecture

“Goong” KSO – 31^st Annual Cultural Show
Korean Student Organization
5 PM – Dinner at Hutch, 8 PM Show at Mandel
Tickets are available at Reynolds Club throughout the week. $10 for Dinner and Lecture

Monday, February 21

Chicago Careers in Arts (CCIA): True Stories--Careers in the Documentary Arts
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
5:30 – 7:00 PM
East Lounge, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

What Are We Doing Here?
Presented by: Center for International Studies
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Room 102, Stuart Hall, 5835 South Greenwood Avenue

Why Care: Update on the Pakistan Disaster
8:30 – 9:30 PM
McCormick Tribune Lounge of Reynolds Club, 5706 South University

Tuesday, February 22

RSO Workshop - Leadership Transitioning
Presented by: Office of the Reynolds Club & Student Activities (ORCSA)
12:00 – 1:00 PM
South Lounge of Reynolds Club, 5706 South University

Chicago Careers in Journalism (CCIJ) Workshop
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Room 203 of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Wednesday, February 23

The Next Step: Careers in Higher Education
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Room 216/217 of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project
Presented by:
6:30 – 8:30 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

General Assembly
Presented by: SNMA-MAPS
7:00 – 8:30 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Thursday, February 24

Take-a-Break with ORCSA - Knitting Workshop
Office of the Reynolds Club & Student Activities (ORCSA)
3:00 – 5:00 PM
South Lounge of Reynolds Club, 5706 South University

OMSA Graduate and Professional Student of Color Faculty Roundtable with Julie Saville
Presented by: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA)
4:30 – 5:30 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Latin American History Workshop: Diana Schwartz
Presented by: Center for Latin American Studies
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Room 114 of Kelly Hall, 5848 South University Avenue

Bollywood Movie Night
Presented by: International House
7:00 – 11:00 PM
Assembly Hall, International House, 1414 East 59th Street

Intersection QGroup (Queer Students of Color)
Presented by: Office of LGBTQ Student Life
8:00 – 9:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue Avenue

Lunar New Year Highlight

Congratulations to PanAsia, Asian Student Union, Chinese Undergraduate Student Association, Korean Student Organization, Hong Kong Student Association, Singaporean and Malaysian Student Union, Japanese, Students Association, Green Campus Initiative, Asian American Intervarsity, alpha Kappa Delta Phi and Lambda Phi Epsilon for a hosting a successful Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 5.

Over 200 people participated and attended this wonderful celebration featuring dinner and a show for attendees. The dinner featured cuisines from various Asian countries. Following dinner, the show kicked off with a traditional Lion Dance by Truc Lam Lion Dance Team. Hongyi Yu, a member of the Asian Student Union Board sung a song called "One Night in Beijing", which combines pop music and Peking Opera together. Jay Sern Tan, winner of the 2008 and 2010 UChicago Chicago Idol also performed that evening. He sang 安静 (Silent).

Members of the various organizations also performed with different types of traditional instrument. Joshua Solomon, a member of the Japanese Student Association played several pieces on the Tsugaru Shamisen. A member of KSO played on the Korean gayageum, while Yeonjean Gahng danced. A performance of the hulusi was also performed by a nationally recognized Chinese hulusi winner The event appealed to many different students and all the organizations involved are looking forward to collaborating again next year.

Written with contributions by Melanie Morales and Suzanna So

Weekly Schedule - Feb. 12 - 17

Saturday, February 12

Chinese Lantern Celebration Festival Performance
Presented by: Confucius Institute at the University of Chicago (CIUC) and is co-sponsored by Huazhong Normal University and the Chinese Student and Scholar Association.
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Assembly Hall of International House, 1414 East 59th Street

Darwin's Surprise Birthday party
Presented by: Office of the Reynolds Club & Student Activities (ORCSA))
7:00 – 9:30 PM
Room 140 of Harper Memorial Library, 1116 East 59th Street

Sunday, February 13

51st Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival
Presented by: Renaissance Society
8:00 PM
Mandel Hall in Reynolds Club, 1131 East 57th Street

Monday, February 14

Chicago Careers in Higher Education: Writing an Effective Research Proposal
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
3:30 – 5:00 PM
West Lounge of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Tuesday, February 15

Winter Quarter Grad Student Pub Night
Presented by: Office of the Reynolds Club & Student Activities (ORCSA))
4:00 – 6:00 PM
University Pub of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Beyond a BA: Exploring Post Grad Opportunities
Presented by: Organization of Latin American Students
7:00 – 9:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Wednesday, February 16

Dispelling Pre-Med Myths: Secrets to Pre-Health Success at U of C with CCIHP
Presented by: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and Chicago Careers in Health Professions
12:00 – 1:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

MacLean Center Seminar Series: Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in Racial and Ethnic Minority and Poor Communities through Community-based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR)
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Room H-103 of the Billings Hospital, 950 East 59th Street

Thursday, February 17

CCIPSS: Non-Profit Lunch: Policy, Advocacy, and Direct Service: What do people in these areas do? Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Room 019 of Reynolds Club, 1131 East 57th Street

Human Rights and Latin American History Workshops: Ev Meade
Presented by: Center for Latin American Studies
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Room 114 of Kelly Hall, 5848 South University Avenue

Career Exploration Workshop
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
4:30 – 6:00 PM
West Lounge of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street

Live Life Before You Give Life: A Community Dialogue with Doriane C. Miller, MD.
Presented by: Office of Community Affairs
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Urban Prep & Team Englewood, 6201 S. Stewart
Space limited, please RSVP.

Book Review: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye


In honor of Black Heritage Celebration, we are featuring different authors that have a strong root in the literary heritage of Black Heritage. One of these great authors is Toni Morrison. One of her most acclaimed works is The Bluest Eye. The novel was the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature as well as a selection for Oprah’s Book Club.

The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison’s first novel, a book heralded for its richness of language and boldness of vision. Set in the author’s girlhood hometown of Lorain, Ohio, it tells the story of black, eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove. Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children of America. In the autumn of 1941, the year the marigolds in the Breedloves’ garden do not bloom, Pecola’s life does change – in painful, devastating ways.

With its vivid evocation of the fear and loneliness at the heart of a child’s yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment, The Bluest Eye remains one of Toni Morrison’s most powerful, unforgettable novels – and a significant work of American fiction.

Among the critical acclaim about Morrison:

Toni Morrison may be the last classic American writer, squarely in the tradition of Poe, Melville, Twain, and Faulkner
~Newsweek

The finest novelist of our time
~Vogue

Morrison is easily the finest writer on the contemporary scene
~Philadelphia Bulletin

Review by Plume Book Publishers

Dispelling Pre-Med Myths, The Real Deal: Secrets to Pre Health Success at U of C

If there's one thing that the University of Chicago prides itself on, it's myths. Many of us believe that if you step on the seal in the Reynolds Club, you won't graduate in four years. Some say that a UChicago professor provided the inspiration for the character Indiana Jones. And but of course, there's that trumpeting slogan that UChicago is the place "where fun comes to die." Now though whether or not you'll actually see Fun gasping for air in the middle of the Quad is still debated amongst the UChicago community, the rigorous work-load at the university doesn't really help abate the myth, especially if you're Pre-Med.

But as always, OMSA has your back. (Because that's what we do)

Dispelling Pre-Med Myths, The Real Deal: Secrets to Pre-Health Success at U of C
Wednesday, February 16th
12pm-1pm
5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

An informal discussion that can give you insight on what it really takes to be pre-med at UChicago. And even better, we're providing lunch for you!

In the meantime, here are a few Pre-Med resources that you might want to consider if you haven't already.

Student National Medical Association - Minority Association of Pre-Med Students (SNMA-MAPS Uchicago)
The Student National Medical Association is the nation’s oldest and largest organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes nearly 6,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents, and physicians. The SNMA boasts over 35 years of committed service to communities and continues to advocate for improved health care services and education to meet the needs of minority and under-served populations. SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring culturally sensitive medical education and services, as well as increasing the number of African-American, Latino, and other students-of-color entering and completing medical school. SNMA chapters are for medical students and serve as hosts to the SNMA–MAPS chapters for undergraduate pre-medical students.

Chicago Careers in Health Professions (CCIHP)
CIHP provides students with the resources and support to develop a customized portfolio of knowledge, skills, and experiences required for advanced study in allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medicine, public health (MPH), dental (DDS) and podiatric (DPM) practice, veterinary medicine (DVM), pharmacy (Pharm. D), and health services research (PhD). CCIHP aims to empower students to achieve a high level of academic, professional, and personal success.

The Pre-Medical Student Association at Uchicago
The Pre-Medical Student Association provides academic, extracurricular, social, and support resources to pre-medical students at the University of Chicago.

Fun doesn't have to die. Grab the defibrillator. Clear!

-Aaron Talley
-Student Intern, Class of 2013

Immigration

Emerging Minds Project
January 2011

The purpose of the Emerging Minds Project (EMP) is to create an intellectually open and dynamic environment for students to learn about and discuss social justice issues of today. Each month, a group of 11 students come together at 5710 to dialogue with an experienced facilitator who works in the field.

This blog is an outlet for each of our members' voices. While this is a collection of their personal thoughts, we hope to display a glimpse of the multifaceted ways that each topic impacts the individual members of the EMP cohort.

*The views and opinions expressed in these blog entries are that of each individual author and do not necessarily reflect a collective opinion of the EMP cohort or that of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

OMSA Advisory Board Meeting Highlights!

The OMSA Advisory Board meets bi-monthly to address the concerns of UChicago's multicultural community. It is an important asset in helping to ensure that OMSA and the university administration is effectively meeting the needs of the diverse student body. In order to make sure the broader campus community is aware of the concerns the Advisory Board are addressing, the OMSA Blog includes meeting highlights!


Meeting Date: January 25, 2011

Special Guest(s):

• Eleanor Daugherty, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Associate Dean of the College Office of the VP, and Dean of Students in the University, Campus and Student Life

Highlights:

• OMSA is looking to refine its goals for this year to make sure it is effectively meeting the needs of students of color on campus. Continue to talk to Advisory Board members and OMSA staff about how we might better serve you in our mission!
• Meredith Daw, Director of CAPS will be in attendance for the February 22nd Advisory Board meeting. As always, continue to check back for updates!
• Ben Yu, SG Liaison to the OMSA Advisory Board suggested that all interested international students should apply to the International Student Advisory Board.

Building Hours: Friday, February 4

5710 South Woodlawn will have shortened hours today (February 4). The building will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

When entering the building, please use the east entrance (facing Woodlawn). All other entrances are currently snowed in. Thank you.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Once you are here, please help yourself to hot drinks, which will be available all day.

Should you have any questions, please contact OMSA at 773-834-4672 or the 5710 Building at 773-702-5710.

All OMSA staff are available as usual today. If there is a staff member you wish to speak to, please ask to be transferred when you call.

Weekly Schedule - Feb. 4-10

Friday, February 4

OMSA GMAT Practice Test
Presented by: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
1:00 – 5:00 PM
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

Power Half Hour: Resume
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Room 203 of the Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street

Chicago Careers in Arts (CCIA): Careers in Theater
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Arts Rehearsal Space of Bartlett Dining Commons, 5640 South University Avenue

Saturday, February 5

Family Program: The Magic Carpet: Stories, Songs, and the Art of Writing
Presented by: Oriental Institute - Museum Education Office
1:30 – 3:30 PM
Oriental Institute, 1155 East 58th Street

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rabbit
5:30 – 8:00 PM
Reynolds Club, 5706 South University Avenue
Tickets are $5

Monday, February 7

OMSA and CMC Social Outing: Bowling @ Seven Ten
Presented by: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Seven Ten

CCIPSS: Government Agency Presentation: Tips from Recruiters and HR Reps
Presented by: Career Advising & Planning Services
5:30 – 7:00 PM
West Lounge of the Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street

Weather Updates: 5710 Closure and University Class Cancelation for February 3

5710 will be closed all day tomorrow, February 3. Additionally, tomorrow's University classes and events are canceled.

5710 will re-open Friday, February 4 at 9 AM. Please check the OMSA Web site for the latest information on 5710 and OMSA.

• Please note that all University classes and events are canceled for Thursday, February 4.
  
• For the latest University updates, go to the University weather updates Web page.
  
• Please note that a wind chill advisory is in effect until noon Thursday. Wind chill is expected to be -20 degrees or more.
  

Weather Updates: 5710 Closure and University Class Cancelation

5710 is closed all day today, February 2. Additionally, today's University classes are canceled. Please stay indoors!

5710 will re-open tomorrow, February 3 at 9 AM. Please check the OMSA Web site for the latest information on 5710 and OMSA.

• Please note that all University classes are canceled today. Travel by car and by foot are currently unsafe. Please avoid all travel if possible.
  
• For the latest University updates, go to the University weather updates Web page.
  

Chicago Multicultural Connection Social Outing: Bowling!

Need a break from midterms and the snow? Join the Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC) and OMSA for a bowling social outing on February 7th from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Seven Ten lounge! Join us for a night of food, fun, and bowling. There will also be prizes for top scorers.

$5 includes bowling, shoes, food, and beverages. Please email Robin Graham at rgraham1@uchicago.edu in order to RSVP.

Seven Ten lounge is located at 1055 East 55th Street.