| What's New At CMASS |
CMASS STATEMENT:
The ripple effect of this pandemic on the personal and systemic level is devastating. As we engage with colleagues and students, we see a great deal of concern while noticing their efforts to provide support in various ways. We draw energy from within and across and need each other to plan for a post COVID19 future that reflects the best in us.
As stated by our Office of Equity and Inclusion, we wholeheartedly rebuke behavior fueled by bias and misinformation that stigmatizes members of our community, and emphasizes the fact that our Chinese students, staff, and faculty, as well as other community members of Asian descent who may also be experiencing this bias and stigma, are valued and beloved members of our UMass community.
There are a number of ways in which we can continue to confront and fight against bias and discrimination, educate ourselves as viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of race or nationality. Help stop the stigma related to COVID-19 by learning the facts from reputable sources such as the CDC and WHO. Report bias or discrimination incidents using the OEI Climate Incident Report Form. There are many support programs working to promote positive connection and coping skills through CMASS, International Programs Office, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, and others listed on the UMass calendar.
Help is within reach and there is no better time than the present to connect with the campus resources in place to support our wellbeing.
UPDATES ABOUT CMASS
Effective Monday, March 16, until further notice, in support of social distancing practice, CMASS staff is working remotely but will continue to provide services for the duration of the semester. You can connect with us by calling 413.545.2517 or by emailing us at cmass@umass.edu.
Here’s an update on how to access specific services:
Success Coaching
Students are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments through NAVIGATE, making sure to let your coach know your preferred method for contact. If you prefer to connect over the phone, ensure your number is updated in SPIRE. If you prefer to connect over videoconference download Zoom.
As we work to shift our services into virtual environments, we know that there may be technology challenges at times-do not hesitate to email your coach directly.
If you don’t have a coach and would like to work with one, email cmass@umass.edu
Success Coaches:
Michelle Youngblood – youngblood@umass.edu
Celia Maldonado – celiam@umass.edu
Doris Clemmons – dc@umass.edu
Willie Pope – wjp@umass.edu
Financial Aid Hours
For assistance with your FAFSA or questions about Financial Aid, please contact Financial Aid Counseling or Customer Service at finaid@finaid.umass.edu during 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Let’s Talk
When something’s bothering you, talking about it is often the first step toward a solution. Let’s Talk is available by calling 413-545-2337, Thursdays from 1 – 2 p.m. “Let’s Talk” is led by clinicians from the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH).
Student Care Supply Closet
Our offices in Wilder Hall are closed, and so the Supply Closet is temporarily unavailable. If you have immediate need for supply closet items, please contact the Dean of Students Office at doso@umass.edu
Computer Lab in Wilder Hall
Our offices in Wilder Hall are closed, and so the computer lab is inaccessible at this time.
For continuous updates please visit this site frequently as well as www.umass.edu/Coronavirus
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CMASS Virtual Craft Night: Origami and other Paper Crafts
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 6-7pm
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/93304762005
Join us in this fun virtual activity and create objects made of paper!
Irene Gao, one of our students, will be our guest facilitator. No RSVP required!
Origami is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. In modern usage, the word "origami" is used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin.
The workshop will cover origami and a few small paper crafts that are not necessarily origami.
Recommended materials: Ideally it would be rice paper, but for the meantime, we can use any letter-size, thin paper with straight edges.
Booty Burn Workout @ the JWECC
Thursday, May 7th, 2020 | 6pm-7pm
Description: Join us this week to get your blood pumpin' and your booty burnin'! We will be leading a fun, at-home lower body workout.
Here’s the link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/760935774
Additional Information: No RSVP required, drop in at any time
Virtual Game Night at MXCC: Kahoot!
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 3:00-5:00pm
Take a break from finals and reminisce on the black culture at UMass as we play the game!
Join us. See you later at 3:00-5:00pm!
Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/s/95040672851
Virtual Movie Night at YKCC: Crazy Rich Asians!
Friday, May 1, 2020 | 5:00 - 7:15 PM
Take a break from studying for finals and watch Crazy Rich Asians with us!
Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom-us/j/ 937 2917 6
2020 Senior Recognition Ceremony
2020 Senior Recognition Ceremony
Date: Friday, April 22, 2020
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Location: TBD
Save the Date!
CMASS Virtual Senior Graduation Celebration
This spring, we cannot do the Annual Senior Recognition Reception, but we would like to honor the success and achievements of our CMASS graduating seniors with a CMASS Virtual Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 at 4:00-5:00pm.
In keeping with CMASS annual tradition, we are creating a slideshow spotlighting our graduating seniors inclusive of their short bios and future plans after graduation. This slideshow will be shown at the virtual graduation on May 5th,2020
.As a token of our appreciation and a remembrance of this milestone, we will send a certificate of achievement and a graduation stole to each graduating senior who sent an RSVP.
Salsa Zumba
Friday, May 1st, 2020, 6:00-8:00 pm
A fun zumba class to get our members up and moving. Exercising is a great way to get our energy up, especially during this stay-at-home advisory where people are more likely to be sedentary.
Zoom link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/93140267516
Let’s Zoom into LACC’s Movie Night: LA Originals
Thursday, April, 30, 2020 , 6:00-:008 pm
Join us to watch “LA Originals” a documentary, directed by Estevan Oriol and released in 2020. The film revisits his career along with his friend's, Mark Machado, tattoo career. The film also showcases the exploration of chicano culture and landmarks as well as the street art movement within their status as behind-the-scenes hip hop legends.
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/972384417
The Meeting ID is: 972-384-417
Virtual Finals Study Session at the JWECC
Thursday, April 30th. 5:30-7pm
Need a study buddy? Come join the JWECC and get ready to ace those finals!
Additional Information: No RSVP required, drop in at any time.
Here’s the link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/760935774
Virtual Events @ the YKCC: Craft Night: Drawing Tutorials
Th
ursday, April 30, 2020, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Zoom ID: 977-5211-7813 and https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/97752117813.
Want a break from finals? Join us for a night of crafting and creativity. The YKCC will be hosting virtual drawing tutorials and lessons on Thursday, April 30th!
YKCC Virtual Movie Night: Train to Busan
Friday, April 24, 2020, 6:00-8:00pm
Join us and watch “Train to Busan!” As a zombie outbreak sweeps the country, a dad and his daughter take a harrowing train journey in an attempt to reach the only city that is still safe.
Zoom id number: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/98693388177
Virtual Cultural Appreciation
Friday, April 24, 2020, 6:00-8:00pm
A discussion on Hispanic culture and the appropriations of Hispanic culture in fashion industries.
Zoom id number: 530-647-652
Zoom link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/530647652
Guided Meditation with MXCC
Friday, April 24, 2020 | 6pm
We will be following a guided meditation video to connect with a positive energy to combat all the craziness going on around us. Participants will follow along with the "20 Minute Guided Meditation for Reducing Anxiety and Stress - Clear the Clutter to Calm Down" video. People can come to de-stress and relax and end their week peacefully.
URL: https://youtu.be/MIr3RsUWrdo
Zoom Link: https://umassamherst.zoom.us/j/95040672851
JWECC Virtual Event - YOGA
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 6:00-7:00pm
Come de-stress from the week and join us for a mini yoga class.
No RSVP required, drop in at any time.
Here’s the link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/760935774
Virtual Movie Night @ the YKCC: The Farewell
Friday,April 17; 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Join us for this week's Movie Night! We will be screening the film, "The Farewell," directed by Lulu Wang. This film focuses on a Chinese family that discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decides to secretly schedule a wedding to gather before she dies.
Zoom link is The zoom ID for the movie night is: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/91226943838
Dominoes
April, 17, 2020 @6-8 pm
Online
A friendly competition of dominos where students will be able to bond with each other by practicing strategic skills.
Zoom id number: 370-521-995
Zoom link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/370521995
Link to tournament: http://www.rubl.com/games/domin
JWECC Virtual Events: Meditation
Thursday, April 16, 2020, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Meditation
Come destress from the week and join us for a mini meditation session.
Additional Information: No RSVP required, drop in at any time.
Here’s the link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/760935774
LACC Movie Night: "The Platform:
Thursday, April 16, 2020, 6:00-8:00pm
Join us to watch “The Platform” a Spanish science fiction horror-thriller film,directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia and released in 2019.The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness.
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/972384417
The meeting ID is 972-384-417
JWECC Virtual Cultural Center Hours (Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center)
Thursdays, , 5:30-7:00pm (starts April 9, 2020)
This week's theme is "Motivation." Discussions on how to keep morale and motivation high during these unusual times.
Zoom Meeting ID Number: 760-935-774
Zoom Join URL: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/760935774
No RSVP required, drop in at any time.
Virtual Office Hours @ the Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center (YKCC)
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm (starts April 9)
Drop in to chat with us! We're talking about the transition to remote access and breaking down how the YKCC will operate for the rest of the semester.
Zoom id: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/698921161
“Let’s Zoom In”
Thursdays, 5:00-6:30pm (starts April 9, 2020)
Online
The LACC is hosting weekly “Let’s Zoom in” on Thursdays from 5-6:30pm to build community across physical distance. Let’s check in and build together supportive, positive and fun engagement for the weeks ahead! Drop in at any time.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/694755349
This will be a recurring event to see how students are transitioning during these times.
Malcolm X Cultural Center Virtual Office Hours
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm
Online
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/487164014
The code is 487-164-014
The MXCC is hosting weekly “Virtual Office Hours” on Wednesdays from 2-3:30pm to build community across physical distance. Let’s check in and build together supportive, positive and fun engagement for the weeks ahead!
Drop in at any time.
We at the Malcolm X Cultural Center stand together with the Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center and all Asian-American students on campus in the face of increased hate crimes due to the coronavirus, or COVID-19. We will continue to do so when this pandemic is over, choosing to stand against hate and racism.
Questions:
_How are you doing?
_ Have you developed any new hobbies to keep yourselves busy during quarantine?
_Are online classes going well?
_Any fun plans over the summer?
_What do you need from the X in terms of helping to pass the time
JOB OPENINGS FOR PROFESSIONALS:
CMASS is hiring for full time positions!
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Program Coordinator Cultural Centers CMASS: Reporting to the Associated Director for Student Development, the Program Coordinator for Cultural Centers will provide direction and leadership for campus-based cultural centers.
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Associate Director for Student Development: Reporting to the Director of CMASS, the Associate Director for Student Development oversees, develops and assesses programs that educate on cultures, heritages and identities for ethnic based cultural centers and primarily students of diverse racial backgrounds; leads with positive, collaborative and inclusive approaches; focuses on achieving the Department’s mission, goals, objectives, work standards and assigned priorities.
Click on the link below for further descriptions if any of these are of interest to you. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out with any inquiries!
https://www.umass.edu/cmass/employment-opportunities
Craft Night: Vision Boards
March 11, 2020 | 6-8pm
Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center
Relieve your midterm stress! Join YKCC in creating vision boards for this craft night!
Vision boards are a stress relieving and creative activity that help students to remain focused, determined and motivated in dealing with challenging periods at school.
Supplies provided! Refreshments will be served! Be there and join in the fun!
Piñata Making @ the LACC
Thursday, March 12, 2020 | 6-8pm
Latinx American Cultural Center
Hampden DC, 2nd Floor
Southwest Residential Area
We are bringing piñata making to LACC. Come and join us! Supplies to make your own pinata filled with assorted sweets and candies available. Refreshments provided!
A piñata is a decorated container of paper or clay that contains sweets, small toys, fruits, and nuts. It is the object of a game played in Mexico at children's birthday parties in which blindfolded children take turns trying to break the piñata with a stick to release the treats.
Native Voices: Expanding the Narrative and Celebrating Indigenous Women
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 | 6:00pm
Chadbourne House, Room: B-3 Lower Level
Wheelchair accessible
Speaker: Joyce Vincent
Joyce Vincent is the founder of the Red Black Blues Hour, a small company that promotes awareness of intersectional histories through spoken word, storytelling and songs which she pulls from her own personal cultural heritage as an Aniyunwiya, Occaneechi and African HeritageWoman. She worked at UMass from 1993 and retired from CMASS as an Associate Director for Cultural Enrichment in 2017.. She was also a co-founder of the Certificates in Native American Indian Studies at UMass Amherst.
Participants will break into groups to identify indigenous women across the globe to enable us to create posters as part of the poster college series of the 5-Colleges. These efforts will be included in the celebration of Women’s History Month this March. Everyone’s welcome! Refreshments provided!
Movie Nights
Sundays | 4-6pms
March 8 - A Fall from Grace
March 29-Black Panther
April 5 - Belly
April 19 - Malcolm X
Malcolm X Cultural Center
Berlshire DC Lower Level
Series of movies popular with the black community shown in 4 weeks. These movies could be old or new so long as they depict piece or pieces of our history and students can learn and enjoy them.
This event will bring people of our diaspora together in a safe space to store memories and moments that are common to us.
Refreshments provided!
Running from the Washingtons
by: Amanda Miller, '22
AMHERST – Community and students came together for thought provoking and inspirational talk and book signing at the Commonwealth Honors College’s “Running from the Washingtons: Ona Judge and the Quest for Freedom” on February 12th.
The event – which took place from 5-6 p.m. in the CHC Events Hall - featured Erica Armstrong Dunbar; a writer, historian, and professor at Rutgers University. The evening's topic was Ona Judge, a young enslaved woman who escaped from George and Martha Washington to find freedom.
In welcoming guests to the event, Dean Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina describes the significance of the upcoming talk; “There was no way to really know the Washingtons without knowing this story.”
As Dunbar took the stage she prefaced her lecture; “I’ll ask you all to spend a little time with me this evening thinking about our nation's history and about this incredible woman….”
Read more..
Paint Party
Sunday, March 1st, 2020
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Malcolm X Cultural Center
The Paint Party is a celebration of an aspect of African American culture. Students will take part in a paint party that focuses on the expression of their culture in a creative way. Participants will enjoy being surrounded by their cultural music adding to the ambiance of the place and heighten their creative spirit! This event brings joy and unity to our community through culture expression..
There are 30 spots available. Interested participants must register to a google doc NOW here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TxmelVunQ5dsyQM5KBDsuDLXI2JlEJmFkOj6L662aLI/edit?usp=sharing
Refreshments and materials provided
Bl
ack Heritage Month Community Building Dinner
Thursday, February 27, 2020
5:30-8:00pm
Amherst Room, Campus Center, 10th Floor
February marks Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African Americans have played in shaping U. S. History.
At UMass Amherst, the Malcolm X Cultural Center will celebrate this historical occasion with a celebratory dinner at which students, faculty and staff will get together to identify common values that build and strengthen a community.
You are invited to attend this momentous occasion. Send your RSVP to mxcc@sacl.umass.edu by February 22, 2020 NOW!
We look forward to meeting you and hope to see you there!
Harvard Biomedical Science Conference
Saturday, April 4, 2020Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA
Application Deadline: January 31, 2020. See application form here.
The Harvard Biomedical Science Career Conference is open to students from underrepresented populations who are seriously interested in the STEM fields or currently studying biomedical science or other science-related fields, such as chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, pre-medicine, biomedical engineering, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, biotechnology, physical therapy, public health, allied health or environmental science. The conference provides students with opportunities to network with industry advisors/mentors from the basic and clinical sciences, medicine, National Institute of Health, public health, academia and biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries.
Free transportation will be provided and space is limited with only 36 seats available.
To attend, please submit/email a completed application and resume to CMASS Asst. Director Willie Pope at wjp@umass.edu or room 203 Wilder no later than Friday, January 31, 2020.