By
Ayse Guner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
"Campus Week of Dialogue" to include speeches and in-class
The UA, along with many colleges and universities across the U.S. are participating in discussions on diversity and racial issues that affect the campus environment.
The U.S. Department of Education has announced an initiative titled, "Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America," and is part of the initiative Richard Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education has proclaimed this week as a "Campus Week of Dialogue."
"We are having it because the federal government sent out invitations, set the guidelines for students and faculty to get involved," said Saundra Taylor, University of Arizona campus life vice president.
The UA has scheduled many events for this week including speeches and in-class discussions.
On Wednesday, a four-member panel selected from various departments will give speeches reflecting their academic perspectives on race and diversity.
The panel includes Laura Briggs, associate professor of women's studies; Rudolf Gaudio, assistant professor of anthropology; Lansana Keita, associate professor of Africana Studies and Robert Williams, a law professor.
A speech titled "Constructing Race and Difference: It's Not Just Black and White," and will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Arizona Ballroom.
"The purpose of the speech is to promote discussions around diversity and trying to build academic resources by including members and their perspectives on race and diversity from their academic disciplines," said Celia Sepulveda, dean of students office coordinator.
Besides the speech, a series of 3-D (deans, directors and department heads) memos will be sent out through out the week from a selection of articles published by The New York Times called "How Race is Lived in America."
A $1,000 fund has been created by the Dean of Students and the Provost's office for faculty and students to discuss racial issues either at lectures, brown-bag lunches or other events, Sepulveda said.
Kodak will distribute about 200 disposable cameras for students to photograph what they think is diversity.
This is the second year of the event, which included about 700 colleges and universities during last year's discussion. The UA only participated through a photo presentation done by Olga Carranza, former associate director of Outreach, Education and Programs, part of the UA multicultural programs.
