97-04-15 USG Sponsors Diversity Week

STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AT OHIO STATE

     COLUMBUS -- In an effort to bridge the gaps between students 
of different races and create an atmosphere of cultural learning 
and understanding, the Undergraduate Student Government at The 
Ohio State University will host a week of activities April 20-26 
designed to highlight the strengths of a diverse campus 
community.

     “We want to create an environment where students can come 
together for a solution-oriented, academic discussion to address 
problems of diversity on the campus as a whole,” said Laurence 
Latimer, director of cultural diversity for USG.  “On a personal 
level, we hope to be able to break down barriers and other 
factors that separate students from one another, and encourage 
people who would not otherwise do so, to interact and 
communicate.”

     Michael Brown, son of the late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, 
will begin the week with a discussion on education excellence and 
opportunity for minorities in public service, Wednesday (4/23) in 
the Drinko Hall main auditorium, 55 W. 12th Ave., from 5 to 6:30 
p.m.  Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Ronald 
Brown Foundation, is the co-founder of America’s Fund, a 
political action committee that supports minority candidates who 
support the revitalization of urban areas.

     A student organizations fair will be held on the Oval 
Thursday (4/24) from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by a  
presentation by John Gray, a nationally known specialist in race 
relations and conflict resolution, who will discuss “Fighting 
Bigotry,” in his interactive presentation at the Hillel Center, 
46 E. 16th Ave. at 7 p.m.  A $5 donation is requested from non-
students.

     Saturday (4/26) the Council of Graduate Students will host a 
paper competition on the theme of “Achieving Equality through 
Diversity,” from 1 to 5 p.m. at the River Den in the Drake Union, 
1849 Cannon Drive.  The competition provides students with an 
opportunity to present ideas on how to diversify college 
campuses, increase minority faculty and students on campus, and 
address increasing minority student recruitment and retention. 
Prizes totaling $350 will be awarded to three graduate and three 
undergraduate students, with various gift certificates given to 
all participants.

     A three-on-three basketball tournament will also be held on 
Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. in Larkins Hall, 337 W. 17th Ave. 
Registration for the tournament is $10 per team and must be 
completed by Thursday (4/24) at the USG office in 201 Ohio Union, 
1739 N. High St.

     Throughout the week, various food vendors at the Ohio Union 
food court and the Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive, will 
participate in a theme day, creating food that reflects a 
different ethnic or cultural background each day.

                             #

Contact: Laurence Latimer, director of cultural diversity, 
Undergraduate Student Government, (614) 292-2101.


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 11:33:39 -0400 (EDT)]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.