Category Archives: Editorial

A Reflection for Christmas Break & Rejuvenation

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Interfaith prayer service

Interfaith Prayer Service – November 14, 2016 – Matt Cashore, photographer

The last final for the semester has been taken, bags packed and now you are on your way home, to friends, relatives or wherever the next four weeks will take you. B-R-E-A-T-H-E.  It seems like forever since you could just be, sit in solitude and ponder how you feel, what has occurred over the past five months. How have you evolved? Or are you the same person who stepped on campus in August?  If you are, why hasn’t there been a change? Or should there have been one?

Advent began four Sundays prior to Christmas. During Advent Season, we are called to pray and reflect. Our community has been fractured by many issues, we are called to be one and the “keepers and protectors” of our sisters and brothers.  How this is to be accomplished is the challenge. Often, it is believed that the powers that be should be the driving force to rectify the ills. In reality, everyone is charged to address the inequities, disenfranchisement and establishing an environment where every community member is felt valued, appreciated, safe and welcome.

Fr. John began the call acknowledging the divide that emerged in our community because of the contiguous election year. He stated we must work toward the common good which includes having critical dialogue that respects the dignity of all persons. During this time, I ask for each of you to determine your strategy to contribute to his request.

The 2017 Spring Semester begins on the National Holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The interfaith prayer service will be in the Main Building at 11:00 p.m Monday, January 16. The second Walk The Walk Week begins the week of January 22.  Multicultural Student Programs and Services will host RAPtivist Aisha Fukushima on January 23 and co-sponsor Citizen author Claudia Rankine on January 26. RAptism is a global hip hop project highlighting how culture contributes to the universal efforts for freedom and justice by challenging apathy with awareness, ignorance with intelligence, and oppression with expression. These of two of several events occurring for more information and listing of other activities check the 2017 Walk the Walk Week site.  Both speakers compliment the fall Solidarity for Racial Justice campaign. MSPS’ Spring 2017 MLK Study of Race speakers will continue the discussion of social activism and the various forms it can take from the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick to demonstrations on college campuses and in high schools. Information will be shared on the MSPS website and Facebook page, as well as in our weekly announcements.  Feel free to contact the office either by calling or email for more information. We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to have the critical dialogues that Fr. Jenkins referenced during the November 14 interfaith prayer service.

Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Peace,

Iris L. Outlaw

Iris L. Outlaw `90 MSA

Director

Welcome Class of 2020 and Returning Students

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Vigil Signs

The end of summer vacation is rapidly approaching. With that comes apprehension on the 2016 -2017 campus environment.  How will the political landscape, violence erupting throughout the country and perspective of law enforcement affect your experience at Notre Dame?  Your ideologies and arrival will determine how you and your peers will react. We, Multicultural Student Programs and Services in collaboration with the Center for Social Concerns and Notre Dame Security Police, held vigils and a march beginning mid-July. These events were to create space for people in our community to:   

  • Stand against police brutality, racial injustice, systemic oppression and all forms of violence
  • Show up for racial justice, SHALOM, care for ALL CREATION, human dignity, solidarity, the common good, the end of systemic oppression, and LOVE
  • Join together in communal lament to share our grief and our hope together and move forward as one

More than one hundred Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administrators and their family members participated. These align with three of the Holy Cross Pillars: Mind – Seeking to understand; Heart – Rooting choices in values; and Family – Embracing community.   The continual dialogue has resulted in an action plan for those who want to join the conversation about solidarity dignity, and the ending of systemic oppression.  Watch for announcements of upcoming events advertised through various media.

First Year students, I strongly encourage you to participate in the various Welcome Weekend Events (https://welcomeweekend.nd.edu/schedules/). You will observe a sense of the culture of Our Lady’s University and the journey you are embarking on for the next four years. Opportunities to consider during your tenure will also be shared in numerous events. At the Multicultural Reception on Saturday, August 20 6:00 p.m. in the Leighton Hall, Justin Ruiz, professor in American Studies, students and their  mentors will talk about expectations, experiences available, and how to maximize your time at Notre Dame while leaving your legacy.

Yvette R  Students, please welcome Yvette Rodriguez, MSPS Assistant Director for Programming to ND.  Yvette joined the MSPS Team in July. She has been working feverishly preparing for the MSPS Leadership Summit and securing speakers for the 2016 – 2017 MSPS MLK Study of Race Series. We have selected the play for the Diversity of the Arts event. The unveiling of the play will occur in September. Watch the MSPS newsletter for the announcement. Limited tickets are available.

Please mark your calendar for the Welcome Back Picnic on September 13, at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The first Interrace Forum will be on September 21 5:30 p.m. in the McNeill Room.  In respect of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will discuss Latinas in the Media.  As a hint, this alludes to our speaker who will join us the following week.

Campus Ministry is hosting their Multicultural First Year Retreats beginning the weekend of August 27 – 28 and September 3 -4.  Visit their website for more information http://campusministry.nd.edu/undergraduate-resources/multi-cultural-resources/retreats/.

If you have questions about these events or information shared, please email: msps@nd.edu.

Have a Blessed 2016 – 2017 Academic Year and Safe Travels,

Peace,

Iris L. Outlaw

Ms. Iris Outlaw, `90 MSA

Director

Spring Semester Comes to an End

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2016 Nidia and Luis FragaThe spring semester has been exciting and exhilarating.  It began with a two- week celebration highlighting the morphing of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 2016. Multicultural Student Programs and Services’ Interrace Forum and Africana Studies and Institute for Latino Studies luncheon covered the various components of the civil rights movements.  MSPS compared the 60’s efforts led by Dr. King to the Black Lives Movement, where Africana Studies and ILS did a comparison of the Black and Brown movements. They also discussed possible collaborations.  The Fr. Hesburgh and Dr. King mosaic project featured in LaFortune Student Center was a effort between students, faculty, administrators and staff representing the joining of two men committed to the betterment of society.  Thank you to our co-sponsors and Notre Dame Community members, who worked tirelessly to send the message that Our Lady’s University aspires to be a place that is welcoming to all and a place where civil discourse is appreciated.  This is another form of intellectual growth for all who are “Under The Dome.”

Throughout the remainder of the spring, Dr. Shannon Dee Williams, professor of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville revealed the history of blacks within the Catholic Church as the keynote for Black History Month. She shared the struggles and successes of nuns and priests. As part of the Asian Heritage Month, Jennifer 8 Lee, former New York Times journalist, shared the history of Fortune Cookies and Asian Cuisine. The misinformation and assumption of what is Chinese food was entertaining and educational.

The year ended with many of our students being recognized for their contributions to the Notre Dame Community. Congratulations to Hesburgh Award Winner – Preston Igwe `16 and the other Student Award recipients: Ray `Von Jones `16, Chizo Ekechukwu `16, and Leana Jonassaint `16.

2016 Student Leadership Awards      2016 Gaby Mercurio

 

The academic year ended with MSPS sponsoring recognition ceremonies acknowledging the academic achievements of two hundred and fifteen MSPS constituents during Commencement Weekend. At the Africana Ceremony, Arienne Thompson Ploude `04 addressed the graduates on their theme “We Did It All” realizing the pitfalls and successes that they will experience as their life journey continues. Latin Honors Cum Lande recipients: Arlia Delphonse – Japanese & Gender Studies Major; Obiageliaku Ekwueme – Psychology & Pre-Health; Adam Henderson – Political Science; Francesca Simon – Political Science & Africana Studies; Dina Yared – Political Science & Spanish were presented with a gift from MSPS as a result of their achievement.  During the Asian and Pacific Islander Ceremony, API Alumni Chair Andrew Mascarenhas ’03 shared his life’s journey and challenged the graduates to remain open to what life has in store for them. The API Board gave their 2016 Distinguished Student Awards to Crystal Chen – Goodspeed `16; Michael Dinh `16, Mike Lin `16, Khanh Mai `16, Gaby Mercurio `16, Sneha Modi `16, Dong Gue On `16, Luning Selina Wang `16 and Hansel Weihs `16.  These students were selected because they demonstrated outstanding leadership and remarkable commitment to the Asian American community throughout their tenure at Notre Dame.  Thank you to Dr. Laura Murillo, speaker for the Latino Recognition Ceremony, Elaine DeBassige `92 and 2016 Honorary Doctorate recipients Pauline Yu and Arturo Sandoval for gracing the graduates with words of inspiration.  Also, I want to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the faculty, administrators, staff and alumni, who served in various capacities to ensure this was a memorable weekend for our graduates.

Have a Blessed Summer,

Iris L. Outlaw

Iris L. Outlaw `90 MSA

Director

Multicultural Student Programs and Services