This semester, the Student Government Association’s Diversity Week looked a little different.
With many of its events taking place mostly online, fostering campus outreach and community has required a lot more creativity. Whether it was by hosting Kahoot games pertaining to LGBTQ fun facts or Zoom panels on minority experiences on campus, John Abel, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, believes that, “this has been the best Diversity Week we’ve ever had.”
Beginning with the LGBTQ Kahoot on Monday, Nov. 9, and ending with the “We Are One” panel on Friday, Nov. 13, the whole week was packed with interactive events. Tuesday night, SGA hosted a movie night at the Cine with 42, which stars Chadwick Boseman (rest in peace). For this event, the first 250 students who arrived were given a free small popcorn and drink. On Wednesday, a Diversity Org Fair was held in the UC hallway. With masks and social distancing practices in place, several clubs came out to represent their organizations and get their names out to current students, specifically freshman who might not have had the opportunity to check out what clubs were offered.
Evelyn Aune, Multicultural Affairs Committee chair of SGA, believes that the Diversity Org Fair was the most successful event of the week. “I know that the transfer student organization, Transfers for Life, had a couple people sign up,” she reflects. “That was very nice to know.”
Wednesday night, a panel hosted by Dr. Mark McCloud, UT Martin’s Interim Chief of Diversity and Inclusion, discussing “Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation” was held with a great turnout. Thursday night, a Zoom panel on religious diversity took place. Students were given the opportunity to both listen and share some stereotypes or clarifications that might have been attached to their beliefs.
SGA hosted another movie night on Thursday, also–this time showing Black Panther, also starring Chadwick Boseman. Diversity Week ended with the “We Are One” panel, which allowed minority students to shed some light on some potentially overlooked experiences that they have had on campus and in the classroom.
SGA’s Multicultural Affairs Committee was very excited to offer UT Martin students a fun and informative week that was filled with inclusivity and immersive experiences for everyone involved– whether it was through attending an event or even being on a panel. Each member enjoyed working with such distinct groups of people to create an experience where every group felt included.
“I am proud of Evelyn and the Multicultural Affairs Committee for not only hosting very timely discussions and programs, but for doing so within the restrictions of a pandemic,” says John Abel.
This Diversity Week, like most other events held on campus and online this semester, will be one for the books. It has been a great week to be a Skyhawk.
