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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 1998)
Workshops highlight sessions Presentations deal with issues facing blacks By Km Sweet Staff Reporter Students may flock to the night time entertainment highlights of the Big 12 Black Student Government Conference this weekend. But they shouldn’t forget to par ticipate in the daytime, too. Conference participants may benefit most from dozens of daily educational workshops, said Tara Varilek, workshops chair for the con ference. “They are such a variety,” Varilek said. “I think they are all going to be very positive and very effective.” About 30 presenters will hold 19 workshops during the four-day peri od and will deal with issues facing black students, she said. Topics will include personal issues like male and female relation ships and community issues such as living on a predominantly white cam dus. • The leaders of the workshops come from Big 12 universities as well as other universities and com munities nationwide. A mix of undergraduates, gradu ates ami professionals will lead the weekend’s workshops, Varilek said. But undergraduates organized the must-see workshops of the weekend, said Alisa Mosely, entertainment team leader. Undergraduate presenters may provide a new perspective on issues often presented by faculty or staff members at other national confer ences, she said. Mosely recommended three workshops, including “Mirrors of Myself,” led by Oklahoma University undergraduates Alfiee Herron and Alicia Miller. She also suggested “My Sister Myself” and “Leading with the Soul,” a workshop focusing on lead ership in the new millennium. “The workshop will provide good t , foresight into the direction that stu dents will be taking into the next cen tury,” Mosely said. The workshops should form a crucial part of the students ’ weekend, she said. “I think the workshops serve as a primer for students,” Mosely said. “It is like a mini-course in two or three days.” The following workshops are planned for Friday and Saturday: Friday Session I -10:15-11:30 a.m. ■ “Economics with Julianne Malveaux” ■tlNHIIlW Sawg—IWM Itfll The economist and syndicated columnist will focus on issues including public policy, poverty in America and the labor market and its effect on women. Malveaux is a keynote speaker. ■ “Networking with George Fraser” ■“Mirrors of Myself” Led by Alfiee Herron and Alicia Miller, this workshop will focus on black women and their roles in American society, including the jeal ousy and insecurity women often feel and the consequences that come along with these feelings. ■ “Preparing for Graduate Professional School” Lawrence T. Potter Jr. from the University of Missouri will guide undergraduates through the process of applying to graduate and profes sional schools. Potter will focus on test-taking strategies, creating a statement of purpose, completing the application process, financial assis tance and following-up on potential jobs after the application process. Session II - 2-3:15 p.m. ■ “Generation X Without Malcolm”. The Rev. OsagyefoTJhuru Sekou will lecture from his forthcoming book, which looks at the history of black pop culture in America and changes since die death of Malcolm X. He will encourage participants to identify solutions to the challenges facing black youth. ■ “ACTION** Steve Birdine from Indiana University will provide a common sense approach to improving campus environment for minority students, faculty and staff members and administrators. Participants will receive an action .plan for improving their campus. , ■ “Creating Cohesive African American Community” John L. Harris, special assistant to the vice chancellor at UNL, will identify the characteristics of a com munity, the issues and problems a community can face in a campus environment and how to improve a campus environment through cohe siveness. ■ “Building Bridges” The focus of this workshop is to promote cooperation between the greek system and student govern ment. The workshop will allow par ticipants to set goals, organize pro grams and activities and identify cur rent issues their campuses are facing. ■ “African American Studies in the 21st Century” The purpose of this program is to iwtf W* mmrnmmmm* mm mm mm i u I think the workshops serve as a primer for students.” Alisa Mosely entertainment team leader discuss the future of African American studies programs at pre dominantly white institutions. Participants will be encouraged to discuss needs, concerns and visions. Session III - 3:30-4:45p.m. ■ “Health Careers Pathways Program” Gregory Frost will teach students about the Health Careers Pathways Program at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., and how students can reach their goals of working in the health field. ■ “My Sister Myself” Melanie Coffee and Angela Allen will lead the discussion allowing women of diverse backgrounds to come together and share their experi ences. The presenters will discuss the need forpajty among black^wpmefi on campuses, present prineipletLof empowerment and discuss hoW those principles can be applied to women’s lives. ■ “Dispelling the Myth of the Tragic Mulatto” • *_a__ /*. . .. . . AM luia wuiKauup lutuscd uu me concerns of America’s growing bira cial population. Michele Ludeman and Anna Thomas will attempt to dispel the negative stereotypes of the “tragic mulatto” who belongs to two differ ent cultures but fits into neither. The workshop will provide a forum for participants to discuss concerns relating to their campuses and com munities. ■ “Leading with the Soul” This workshop will focus on developing or enhancing leadership skills in order to use experiences and education to lead soulfully. This interactive workshop will challenge leaders and encourage them to share their experiences, g' ^ ■ “Successful Financial Management” Teresa Clounch from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., will inform participants about per sonal debt. Clounch will talk about financial management and how it can strengthen the black family. This workshop will also teach how partic ipants can maintain their financial stability. Saturday Session I -10:15-11:30 arm. ■ “Black Love in the Afternoon” Dennis Watson will lead a work shop on the exploration of black male and female relationships. ■ “Ethically Speaking” This workshop focuses on the eth ical decision making processes and the role they play in student leader ship. The workshop will include a discussion on student leaders and ethics. ■ “Facilitating the Empowerment of Students” Led by three presenters, the work shop will give participants insight on the process of empowerment and advice on how to network in order to Thd also> ' ^tttertfer 1iSi^f<§J rtPiciftf M rights regulations, the Department of : ^ Education and internal campus processes. ■ “Black Family on Campus, An v Athletic Perspective” B. Gabrielle Keith will explore the aca4emic, athletic and social life of a black male student athlete and his relationship with his black cam pus community. - Session II - 2-3:15 p. m. ■ “HIV Prevention in the African American Community” Tami Robinsoh, a health educa- g tor, will explore the impact of HIV; mid AIDS on the African-American community, and how HIV prevention t can work. The workshop will foeus on risk reduction skills and how the black community can spread this ’“‘■'“feadership in the Next Millennium”- ‘ •' k | v ■ “Historically Not Ours and Presently We Need a Plan? •' v Cheryll Sibley-Alboid from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn, will talk about developing the skills to plan for a successful college career. Discussion time for students to discuss their predominantly white campus experiences will be included. ■ “Mirrors of Myself” wmmmmmmmmm s ■ • >• |