Campus Currents

Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 and 6, 2024
The Forum for the two days of workshop

“Big Ink for Big Hearts” is a two-day participatory art event on campus in which the travelling artist group Big Ink brings their custom-designed giant mobile printing press "Big Tuna" to FSU to print 16 large-scale woodblocks (up to 4 feet by 8 feet!) that are created in advance by students, faculty, staff and/or community members addressing the Arts & Ideas theme of "Courage and Resilience.” The groups develop images for their woodcuts that may highlight key figures from historical or contemporary courageous movements or initiatives, or that may explore more personal stories of courage and resilience.

Sponsors: Arts & Ideas, The Art & Music Department, and CELTSS
Community Partnerships with the Mill Contemporary Art Studios, the Black Student Union, and Classes taught by Marc Cote, Paul Yalowitz, Zeynep Gonen, and Lissa Bollettino

Diversity Dialogues: Janine Fondon
March 7, 3:30 p.m.
Center for Inclusive Excellence

Join the CIE and Henry Whittemore Library as we host Janine Fondon, MFA, an award-winning writer, digital media producer, and educator/historian and explore the historical challenges faced by women and girls in America and how these challenges persist today. 

Women's Wellness Day
March 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Center for Inclusive Excellence

Full day of wellness sponsored by the CIE, Wellness Center, Christa McAuliffe Center, College of Business and open to the FSU community. All are welcome! Events include massage therapy, coloring and crafts, LinkedIn and Lunch, Financial Literacy Workshop, Wellness Fair and Relax with the Stars.

Movie Night: Barbie
March 29, 6 p.m.
Center for Inclusive Excellence

The CIE will show the movie Barbie, which deals with the impact of women's issues and challenges on society as a whole. It will provide a space to engage students and foster dialogue. 

Field Trip: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 
March 30

The CIE will host a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum,. This experience will provide an opportunity to explore art from various cultures and its influence on issues facing women. Transportation will be provided.

Questions? Inclusivex@framingham.edu 

The recent conflicts between Hamas and Israel have resulted in loss of life and hostage situations, disproportionately affecting civilians. This two-part series on Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine aims to provide historical context to the conflict while exploring potential pathways to peace and justice.

Israel/Palestine: A Historical Context
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm
Hybrid: Heineman Ecumenical Center or Zoom (register here)

Speakers:

• Sam Biasi, Political Science, Framingham State University
• Noa Shaindlinger, History & Political Science, Worcester State University
• Reema Zeineldin, Academic Affairs, Framingham State University

Untangling the Discourse: Exploring Complex Terms in the Israeli-Palestinian Context
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 4:30 p.m.
Heineman Ecumenical Center, McCarthy Center or Zoom (register here)

Speakers:

• Aviva Chomsky, History, Salem State University
• Yasser Derwiche Djazaerly, Humanities, Fitchburg State University
• Susan Massad, Nutrition and Health Studies, Framingham State University
  
  

Questions? E-mail inclusivex@framingham.edu 

Friday, March 8, 2024
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Age Group: Recommended for ages 14+
Pricing: Ages 5 and under = FREE
Ages 6-12 = $5
Ages 13+ = $10

Fly through lavishly arranged visuals as we visit distant galaxies, tour the planets of the inner Solar System, Jupiter, its moons, and - of course - Saturn's rings. "In Saturn’s Rings is a groundbreaking giant-screen adventure that takes audiences on a journey of the mind, heart, and spirit, from the Big Bang to the awe-inspiring rings of Saturn." The film makes no use of CGI - all imagery is from animated high-resolution photography. Narrated by LeVar Burton.

https://cm-center.org/event/march8film

The Spring Undergraduate Open House is coming up on Saturday, March 9th!

Help the Admissions Office with this this important event by making yourself available to prospective students and their families. Learn more at: https://www.framingham.edu/admissions-and-aid/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/undergraduate-campus-visit/undergraduate-campus-visit

Diversify My Relationship with Fashion: Recycle, Upcycle, Resale 

Thursday, March 7, Noon to 2 p.m.

Join us for a panel discussion, pizza and snacks

Guest speakers: 

Samantha Marino, Recycling Coordinator/Account Manager at Bay State Textiles

Jillian Clark, Founder and CEO of Roboro/Entrepreneur 

Ian Drake, Owner of Diversity Consignment/Entrepreneur 

Sponsored by FSU Sustainability and the Council on Diversity and Inclusion 

By Kaitlin Carman, Publications intern

Dry eyes were in short supply as members of the Framingham State University community gathered together to discuss the strength, courage, and resiliency of a mother who, despite mourning the loss of her murdered 14-year-old son, took a stand against hate and racial injustice.

On Feb. 21 The Arthur Nolletti, Jr. Film series’ featured a screening of Chinonye Chukwu’s Till followed by a discussion led by Dr. Jeffrey Coleman, Vice President & Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. The event was sponsored by Arts & Ideas and the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement in accordance with their 2023-24 theme of “Courage + Resilience.”

The 2022 film followed the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, played by Danielle Deadwyler, during her pursuit for justice after the brutal murder of her son, Emmett Till, played by Jalyn Hall.

“It was just a few months after the events that we saw [during the film] that Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery for not giving up her seat. And she said that she was thinking of Emmett Till when she refused to give up her seat on that bus - which is the event mostly considered the start of the Civil Rights Movement,” explained FSU History Professor Dr. Jon Huibregtse.

Huibregtse added he was disappointed that the film did not include how Till-Bradley had to promise to not open her son’s casket before Mississippi would ship his body back to Chicago – but she ignored her promise.

He said, “It took a great deal of courage and power to do that – and then to allow those photos to be published, I think, is an incredible act of bravery that I’m not sure a lot of parents could do that.”

Coleman described the film as being “very disturbing.”

“I think what was most disturbing for me, at the end of the film, was the narrative about how the individuals – the two white men and white woman – who were responsible for the murder, were never prosecuted. And 1955 was not really that long ago,” he said.

Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam were found not guilty after Carolyn Bryant, the woman whose claims led to Till’s murder, provided false testimony in court which led to the pair’s acquittal.

“What does this movie teach us about truth? … the mere fact that a lie could be sort of construed and accepted because, ‘this is a sort of way that we do things,’ was pretty disturbing to me,” added Coleman.

Director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) Jerome Burke spoke about the power of photography and videography when it comes to documenting events - particularly in instances of racism, hate, and violence - to raise awareness of and combat injustice.

He said, “I know that for all of us it was shocking and misleading – Emmett’s photo – … as shocking as that was, I thought it was very important. I remember with George Floyd and the incident … having to sit for almost nine minutes and witness that was … an important thing.

“Sometimes we have to capture these moments and we have to have people watch and see what it was, … sometimes for us just saying it, or sharing it, or reading about it, sadly, is not enough and it has to be a photo or video as disturbing as that is.”

Hannah Jones, a senior, described the film as being “very spiritual.”

“My initial reaction when watching the film, I was very distraught emotionally. … I just realized a lot of the metaphoric implications in the film that are still resonating today in everyday life for me as a young Black woman,” said Jones.

She added, “I feel like she really also highlighted, towards the end of the film, how her closed-mindedness … could have prevented Emmett from being harmed. Had she just acknowledged that hate wasn’t something she could control but also the fact that the love for ourselves shouldn’t be erased because of that hate.”

March 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
Forum, McCarthy Center

Sawaari explores the nexus of Indian taals, Arabic maqams, and trance music from North Africa and Italy, fully encompassing the varied interests and backgrounds of its band members: Fabio Pirozzolo (vocals and percussion), Jussi Reijonen (oud), Mike Rivard (sintir and double bass), Andy Bergman (sax, clarinet) and Amit Kavthekar (tabla). With an emphasis on rhythm, the music they create together has a searching, exploratory quality that brings together the meditative with the energetic, taking the listener from sparse tranquility to complex syncopations in a moment. Named for a word that means “to ride” in Urdu, Sawaari invites audiences to be transported into a world of rhythm and sound that knows no borders, no limitations.

April 6th, 2024 from 10am-2pm – Rams Rising: An Accepted Student Event
April 13th, 2024 from 10am-2pm – Rams Rising: An Accepted Student Event

It's a great time for members of the FSU community to take advantage of everything happening over at the Danforth. Not only are there new exhibitions up in the museum, but several public events are on tap as well:

Drop Into Art Program - Drop into Art is designed to celebrate the creative potential in all of us. With new themes and projects every month, Drop into Art offers opportunities for kids with their caregivers and adults to create together and connect with one another. Each program is unique, fun, and free, emphasizing invention, improvisation, and hands-on creativity.

March 10 -Tiny Treasures Collage
April 14 -Vessels, Baskets, and Face Jugs
May 12 -Museum Blooms

Finally, the following public program is a joint effort between the Danforth and FSU's Arts & Ideas. It will be held at the McCarthy Center's Alumni Room:
Creating Between Two Worlds: Contemporary Artistic Diasporas, A Panel Discussion, April 10, 4:30 pm

Wednesday, March 13
Stop by any time between
7:00PM - 8:30PM
May Hall, Framingham state University

Participants of all ages are welcome!

Use telescopes to observe the Moon, Jupiter, Pleiades, and Orion Nebula! McAuliffe Center staff are available to answer your questions about telescopes and our Universe.

Rams Refresh Presented by the Counseling Center
Whittemore Library Rams Renew Space C-UM-08
Every Wednesday; 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.

Join for relaxation and de-stressing. 

https://framingham.libcal.com/event/11771905

English Language Programs
Study English with us this Spring!

The new six-week Saturday session starts on March 9!
Register now!

FSU Full-Time Employee Tuition Waiver, for any inquiries please contact (508) 626-4958
Registration is open through March 16.

For more information on any of these events, visit the Career Development Website.

Student Intern Panel
Thursday, March 7, 2024
7:00-8:00pm via Zoom
Learn from current FSU students and alumni who will speak about their experiences in a wide variety of internships.

STEM/Business Career Fair
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
12:30-2:30pm, MC Forum & Alumni Room
Interested in a jobs and internships in business or STEM? Come to the Career Fair to learn about various employment opportunities! Be sure to prepare for the fair by meeting with a career counselor. Make an appointment in Starfish or reach out to us at careerdevelopment@framingham.edu.

Arts & Humanities/Education Employer Roundtable
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
1:30 - 2:30pm in the MC Alumni Room
Career Development will host area employers who will offer valuable advice and resources including resume reviews, elevator pitch assistance, and more to help prepare you for the career fair.

Arts & Humanities/Education Career Fair
Thursday, March 28, 2024
12:30-2:30pm, MC Forum & Alumni Room
Interested in a jobs and internships in arts & humanities and education? Come to the Career Fair to learn about various employment opportunities! Be sure to prepare for the fair by meeting with a career counselor. Make an appointment in Starfish or reach out to us at careerdevelopment@framingham.edu.

Employer Showcase

Students, come network with employers in an informal way to learn about career and job opportunities and what they have to offer. Hosted every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center Lobby--drop by the table!

3/13/2024 12:30-2:30pm EF Education First
4/3/2024 12:30-2:30pm St. Bridget's School
4/10/2024 12:30-2:30pm Nordstrom
4/24/2024 12:30-2:30pm
5/1/2024 12:30-2:30pm Natick Public Schools

-Dr. Thomas Koshy, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, has an additional article published this month.
1. Sums Involving a Family of Gibonacci Polynomial Sums: Generalizations, The Fibonacci Quarterly, 62:1 (2024), 75-83.