Cultural Connections Winter 2018
Tuesday, December 11
6:30-9:00pm
Campus Center Auditorium

Surpise!  We are having Cultural Connections (again) for the fall-winter season and You are invited!  Let’s uplift our energies and celebrate resilience, diversity and inclusivity.  Enjoy the performances, music, food and giveaways as we are nearing the conclusion of this semester. Join us!  Have some fun before diving into the demands of finals week!

Please RSVP by December 7 to wcrespo@umass.edu  
This event is free and open to the public!

This event is a collaborative initiative by offices within the Advocacy, Inclusion & Support Programs and Student Engagement & Leadership.   Be there on Tuesday, next week

A Kwanzaa Get Together 2018
Wednesday, December 12
6-8:30 p.m.
Malcolm X Cultural Center

Join us  in celebrating this occasion with food, drinks, music, games, community dialogues and resource sharing .  This is an opportune time to engage in conversations with CCPH, Harambee, RSOs, and ResLife around the relevance of the Kwanzaa principles in building Community.

Everyone’s welcome! Refreshments provided!

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Teaches Antiracist Values at UMass

AMHERST – Hundreds gathered on Nov. 7 to hear Dr. Ibram X. Kendi – a professor and author on race, racism and its history – deliver techniques to combat racist ideologies and comment on the present racial climate.

The “How to be an Antiracist” lecture – which took place at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center – was held following a string of racially-charged acts of hate, one as recent as the day of the event. Read more

Connections in Color
Wednesdays (starts Nov. 14, 2018)
7-9pm
Latinx American Cultural Center

CMASS and  the Center for Counseling & Public Health  are hosting an introductory meeting tomorrow evening,  Wednesday, November 14 in the Latinx American Cultural Center (LACC) to work on collaboratively building a safe space for healing and wellness.

Our goal is to hear student voices and offer opportunities to come together in a group space that supports healing for students who are looking for group engagement. This meeting will be the first in a series of future meetings where students and facilitators co-construct an engaging environment that supports students in finding a space to articulate concerns and navigate their own path towards wellness.  Read more

Asian American Film Festival Screenings
Nov. 7,8,9
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Rooms 174-176, Campus Center

This three-night film festival showcases Asian American histories and experiences. Learn how producers use various platforms to spread knowledge and awareness. Additionally, the goal is to choose films/filmakers who hold multiple identities (gender, sex, ability, etc.) outside of being API in order to highlight how their intersectional identities impact the work that they do.

Q&A to follow screening; raffle prizes and giveaways; meet and greet with producers, and refreshments will be provided! Read more

The University of Massachusetts’ first Asian American Film Festival will showcase filmmakers Kenneth ‘Ken’ Eng,

Adele Pham and members of popular YouTube channel Wong Fu Productions.

Originally published by:

By Chris McLaughlin, Collegian Staff
November 6, 2018
Filed under Archives, Campus News, News, Scrolling Headlines

The Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center was packed on Oct. 10 for their craft night, which they held in collaboration with the Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center. It was a night of Halloween-themed arts and crafts while also serving as an informative session to speak about cultural appropriation.

“[Cultural appropriation] is such a huge issue on campus and it shouldn’t be,” said Victoria Ung, the YKCC events coordinator. “You still see this stuff every single year on Halloween. You see people wear culturally insensitive costumes.”  Read more..

Déjà Vu’ wins UMass Amazing Race Fall 2018

AMHERST, Mass. – With the beginning of a new semester, comes another Amazing Race. Cross campus and between 12 pit-stops, some 100-plus students competed for first place in the Friday night competition based on the television show.  Promoting a responsible night out and community building, the race was organized by the UMass Amherst Police Department (UMPD) and Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS); it was also sponsored by the Men and Masculinities Center.Kicking off the competition, UMPD Lt. Thomas O’Donnell announced that “the same rules as we’ve always done” will apply. Contestants were not allowed to run or sabotage other teams – rules that came as no surprise to veteran participants.

With the race commencing shortly after 7:30 p.m., cheering erupted as participants filed out of Wilder Hall in anticipation of their first clue. Their first clue sent them to the W.E.B. DuBois Library where they had to identify what floor a photograph of a mural painted in the stairwell corresponded with...Read more

VIDA Viewing Party at LACC
October 4, 11,18, 25
November 1 & 8, 2018
Thursdays 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
La

tinx American Cultural Center
Free admission

Queer Black Feminist Conference & Krudas Cubensi Concert
Thursday, October 18, 2019
1-5 pm
Cape Cod Lounge
Student Union

The Krudas Cubensi concert and conference will discuss the contributions and challenges of queer movements, Afroveganism and Black Feminism in the lives of Black communities in the U.S., the Caribbean and South America. The conference will be followed by a facilitated conversation between the audience and the members of the panel in which a nurtured debate is expected on themes of systemic oppression and strategies of resistance.

Nadine Strossen speaks at UMass Amherst: 'Counter speech is more effective'

By: Wei Cai '20

AMHERST – Nadine Strossen, former American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) president, spoke at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Thursday, Sept. 27, touching on free speech and her new book, HATE: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship. Read more

The Amazing Race
Friday, October 12, 2018
6-11pm
Wilder Hall - for check in
Amherst Town - for the event

UPDATE: Registration for the Amazing Race is closed! Thank you to students and staff who signed up for this exciting event. The Amazing Race will take place this Friday, October 12, 2018, 7-11pm. Check in at Wilder Hall and final pit stop is still Wilder Hall.

"The Amazing Race" is back and will take place across the UMass Amherst campus.

Registration starts Monday, Sept. 17 and will close when we have reached capacity at 45 teams!

45 teams will be confirmed to participate; first come, first served.

To sign up, complete the following:

1. Form a team of three people
2. Give your team a  catchy name
3. Provide t-shirt sizes of each team member
4. Gather information about your team members (name, email, phone number, and student IDs)
5. Send this info to chonal@umass.edu and you will be registered.

Teams will receive an email confirming registration and participation in the competition.

Free food, prizes, and fun. Bring your stamina, enthusiasm and energy.

Student Scholar Series
Sept. 26, Oct. 29,  Nov. 13, 2018
6-8pm
Malcolm X Cultural Center
Berkshire DC, Lower Level

Student Scholar Series encourages students to share their academic work or talent and engage the audience in dialogue about the ways in which culture informs learning and interests.

Students are invited to present their class research project and/or perform a talent. All students (all majors, individual students, RSOs, and members of student clubs) are invited to participate.

To participate, please contact the MXCC at 413-545-3042, or send an email: deroyg@umass.edu

FAFSA Help Days @ CMASS
Thursdays, 2:15-4:30 p.m.
Rm. 005, Wilder Hall

Come and meet with a Financial Aid Counselor and get answers to questions that you might have about your FAFSA. FAFSA personnel is at CMASS every Thursday to assist you. Read more

Beading Project
Every other Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 pm
Dates:  September 12, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 29

December 5

Awaken your inner creativity and learn to create pieces of jewelry and Native Art using beads. Read more

Let's Talk

Every Thursday, 1-2 p.m.
This event will not meet on Oct. 7, Nov. 12, or Nov. 19-23

Speak to a CCPH counselor who can help provide insight, solutions and resources. No topic is off limits. Common concerns include: stress, sadness, loneliness, etc.

This program meets every Monday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. in Middlesex House, and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. in Wilder Hall room 102.

Native Voices
This bi-weekly program starts on Monday, September 24
Other succeeding dates:  October 22, November 5 and December 3
7-9pm
Josephine White Eagle Cuiltural Center
Chadbourne Hall B-3

This program validates cultural knowledge and identity by providing a space for faculty and staff to share their stories with undergraduate students of similar backgrounds. Read more

Bi-Weekly Trivia at the LACC

This bi-weekly program starts on Tuesday, September 25
Other succeeding dates: Sept. 25, Oct. 9, 23; Nov. 6; Dec. 4
8-9pm
Latin X American Cultural Center (Hampden DC, 2nd Floor)

Enrich your knowledge of Latin American Countries! Read more

Yuri Kochiyama: A Passion for Justice Film Screening
Dates: Oct. 2, 16, 30  7-9 p.m.
Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center

In an era of divided communities and racial conflict, Kochiyama offers an oustanding example of humanitarian and compassionate multicultural vision. You are invited to screen this film followed by conversation on leadership values for social change.

Nikkomo Celebration (I Give Away)

Nikkomo is an annual Narragansett celebration started by the Nipmuc that is also celebrated by some Southern New England tribes. The gathering involves gift giving signifying the days when those who had the most gave to those who had the least so that the entire community was cared for equally.

Craft Night

Wednesdays, Fall 2018
Dates: Sept 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov. 7; Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m.

Culture and Leadership 2018

Let's dialogue on intersecting values of culture and leadership across the African Diaspora. You are invited to engage in this seven week series of conversations to build stronger communities of peers and leaders. Refreshments provided. 

UMass Medical School

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018
2:30-4:00 p.m., Wilder Hall 201

This information session encourages all pre-med and sciences majors to hear guest speaker, Dr. Deborah Hines of UMass Medical School Admissions, discuss topics like: the summer enrichment program, SEP experiences, the admissions process, MCAT exam preparation, and requirements. 

For more information, please contact: wjp@umass.edu or ceden@cns.umass.edu

SNAP
Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Wilder Hall 102
Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Off Campus Student Center

As a college student, you may be eligible for SNAP and get assistance with groceries. Come and talk with a SNAP associate to learn if your eligible. You might be eligible if you have a job funded through Work-Study, get MASSGrant with your financial aid, have a child under the age of 12, etc. 
 

UMass Amherst Student Care Supply Closets

Student Affairs and Campus Life now operates five Student Care Supply Closets across campus to provide free toiletries and household items to students who are facing economic insecurity and/or an unexpected financial emergency. Our hope is that access to these items will be helpful to students who are forced to make difficult decisions about every day expenses. If you are a current student and need items, visit any of the locations and a staff member will be able to assist you. Read more

Nikkomo
Wednesday, December 12
7-9pm
Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center

This is an annual winter gathering celebrated by some southern New England tribes.  It originates from a traditional Narragansett give-away celebration. This community-union involves gift giving so this year, we are inviting our community to donate items for the Student Care Supply Closets. Read more

The University of Massachusetts’ first Asian American Film Festival will showcase filmmakers Kenneth ‘Ken’ Eng, Adele Pham and members of popular YouTube channel Wong Fu Productions.

The Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center will present the festival from Nov. 7-9 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., in Campus Center rooms 174-176. The featured filmmakers will make guest appearances.

Lily Tang, a sophomore political science and BDIC major who helped to organize the event, explained “[The YKCC] noticed there was a lack of a big event in the fall semester because we concentrate and do big events in the spring.” She and her fellow organizers saw that there were multiple Asian American film festivals in Boston and said “We thought it would be awesome to bring that to Western Mass.”  Read more ...

Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center hosts craft night
By Clinton Nguyen,

Collegian Correspondent
October 11, 2018
Filed under Archives, Campus News, Headlines, News, Scrolling Headlines