SCOR Weekly Newsletter
Students of Color of Rackham Newsletter
scor-umich.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Let the Countdown Begin!
With the summer coming to a close and the school year beginning this newsletter will give you a heads up on all of the things that you can look forward to in the upcoming month of September.
Also, if you would like to subscribe or be removed from the SCOR newsletter/listserv please complete this form: http://goo.gl/forms/5nK0xok4kc
And if you have not, please take the SCOR Climate Survey https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jve1VqVOqiuRiR
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT:
Thinking About Resources,
As we all sit and gear up for our new year, I want to draw your attention to an advantage that we have as graduate students at the University of Michigan: resources. I am sometimes overwhelmed at the different “golden nuggets” that the University of Michigan has to offer us as graduate students. While I have by no means discovered them all, today I want to share a few with you that have made a significant difference in my first year experience, and hopefully, might make an impact on your year as well.
1. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). I know that there is some stigma associated with communities of color seeing a mental health professional. But I think that it is time for us to be brave and to take better care of ourselves as graduate students. For me, taking care of myself meant recognizing that after a five-year break from undergrad, I needed some help in organizing my time and mental capacity around being a student again. At CAPS I received, bi-weekly academic counseling that I used to think about and organize my time efficiently. I (finally) had a plan to get things done. Outlining plans reduced my anxiety about being a student and helped me to be more confident that U of M is where I am supposed to be. And of course, those massage chairs in the CAPS Wellness Center never hurt….it was often my secret hiding spot for a quick nap, or a few minutes of “me” time.
2. Center for the Education of Women (CEW). I cannot tell you how much being a member of the CEW community has been empowering for me as a woman, a woman of color, and as a non-traditional student. As a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar, the CEW has not only provided me financial support, but has also connected me to a community of women (and a few good men!) with a rich complexity of stories that have brought them to the University of Michigan. In addition, the CEW offers “Critical Difference Grants” to graduate students who run into unexpected financial crises that may result in delaying or derailing progress on pursuing a graduate degree. And no gentleman, these are not just for women; you can apply for these grants too! So next time you find yourself in a financial bind (i.e. like when my computer crashed in March), reach out to the CEW…they may be able to help you out.
3. Rackham Fall Welcome: Now I know that this may seem like a shameless plug for Rackham, but honestly folks, I really got my foundation for the resources available at UM and Ann Arbor by going to the Fall Welcome. Not only did I get my bank account set up, but I also got tons of discounts to different stores and restaurants in Ann Arbor (be sure to stop by the Welcome to Ann Arbor housing table). I also found out about student tickets from the University Musical Society (UMS) that brings a variety of music and dance shows to Ann Arbor at SUPER discounted prices for UM students. There’s even an outdoor adventures group that UM sponsors that takes students to explore the natural beauty of Michigan through camping, caving, and even dog sledding trips. I haven’t quite made room for those trips (I am still figuring out how to brave the Michigan cold), but I promise to do at least one trip before I graduate. Why don’t you join me?
All in all, I don’t have enough space to tell you what this place has to offer. Start with the Fall Welcome; it's a great jumping off point. Whether you are an incoming or returning student, I promise you will learn about something you didn’t know we had here at UM, if you just go and find it.
And if nothing else, your SCOR eboard will be there to greet you! Come see us!
See you Friday ~ Channing
MESSAGES FROM MICHIGAN
Below you will find a message from the MLK Symposium Committee, please send your feedback by the deadline if you can:
Greetings SCOR Members and e-Board,
Based upon the submissions for keynote suggestions in the spring, here are the speakers that are currently being weighed as options for the MLK symposium:
Please use this link to vote on your top 2 speaker choices. There is also a write-in option for new suggestions.
We encourage you to research these speakers through YouTube, their social media platforms, and their websites for more information. Based on the votes here we will pursue the most popular speaker.
Please forward widely so as many people as possible from across campus can weigh-in. We will bring updates from the poll to the committee meeting on September 17th.
Thank you,
Mary
INSIDE THIS NEWSLETTER:
Below are the upcoming events for the month of September and beyond, as well as some wonderful opportunities that you can take part in.
Upcoming SCOR Events & Opportunities:
1. The Annual SCOR BBQ – Sunday, September 13, 2015 at the Trotter Multicultural Center.
a. There will be a live DJ, fun games, food from Cuppy’s, and a host of U Michigan graduate students to meet, so come out and enjoy!
2.SCOR/Rackham Welcome Dinner-September 29th, 5:30-7 PM, Rackham Graduate School
3. Multi-Cultural State of the Union/SCOR Happy Hour: Friday, October 2, 2015
a. Join SCOR as we address social justice issues both on and off campus, with an open discussion on what we can do to make a difference.
4.Spoken Word Night: Friday, November 6, 2015
5.SCOR Members Choice: Friday, December 4, 2015
a. December is your chance to decide the SCOR programming for the day, so make sure to keep your suggestions and event ideas in mind.
Upcoming events & opportunities on campus:
- Fall Welcome and Information Fair for New Graduate Students: Friday, September 4th: 8:45am-12pm
- Rackham/RSG Fall Welcome Social: Friday, September 4th – 5pm-7pm
- Not just for new Graduate students, use this event to socialize with a day in the park. Visit the Rackham website to RSVP in advance.
Other Opportunities:
1. Want to write a short piece/letter/essay for the newsletter? Please contact scor-communications@umich.edu to sign up!
AND IF YOU HAVEN’T, DON’T FORGET TO:
Fill out the SCOR climate survey below: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jve1VqVOqiuRiR
This survey is based on your experiences with and expectations of SCOR. Your responses will inform our programmatic and membership goals for the year, including:
· Expanding membership to represent all students of color and their communities within Rackham
· Supporting graduate students of color in both their social/community affiliation needs and their affiliations with political activism/social justice;
· Increasing networking opportunities for students of color within the Michigan community as well as with Michigan alumni
· Facilitating opportunities for community engagement for members of SCOR and their affiliates.
Your feedback is invaluable to our work and efforts to serve you well this school year. Your responses will be kept confidential, so please feel free to speak/write freely throughout the survey. We look forward to your responses HERE!
As Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) we…
Enhance the campus and community environment to promote academic growth, professional development, and general well-being among students of color.
Build an environment in which all persons can network and acquire opportunities for professional development.
Encourage and enable service and awareness at the University, within local communities, nationally and internationally. Sponsor cultural, educational, social programs and activities, which appeal to graduate students of color.
Sincerely,
2015-2016 SCOR EBoard
Channing Mathews- Doctoral Student CPEP, President
Pete Haviland-Eduah- Master of Public Policy, Vice President
Michael Medina- Doctoral Student CPEP, Treasurer
Asya Harrison- Doctoral Student CPEP, Secretary/Symposium Co-Chair
Courtney McCluney- Doctoral Student P&SC, Rackham Liaison/Alumni Relations Coordinator
Aliza Kazmi – Master of Public Policy, Political Action and Community Service Chair
Demar Lewis IV- Master of Public Policy, Symposium Co-Chair