Campus Currents

For the third straight year, Framingham State hosted a group of about 90 students from Brophy Elementary School, providing most of them with their first experience on a college campus.

“This experience allows the students to start picturing themselves at college,” said Debbie Phillips, a 5th grade teacher at Brophy. “The kids have a lot of fun.”

Brophy Elementary is a sheltered English Immersion School, with many students who are English language learners. The connection between Brophy and Framingham State began when Education Professor Kelly Kolodny worked at the school during her sabbatical. She has volunteered there one day a week ever since that time, maintaining a close relationship with the students and teachers, which includes several Framingham State alumni.

The visit included a tour of the University, a show in the FSU planetarium, and lunch in the dining halls. A group of FSU Education students also read books on animals to the students, which ties into what they are currently learning in class.

“We have a high-needs population,” says Brophy Vice Principal Cynthia Page. “It’s important for them to get this early exposure to college and understand that it is an opportunity that is not out of their reach.”

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Vaden-Goad and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Development Lorretta Holloway spoke to the students during their visit.

“College was one of the best experiences of my life,” Dr. Holloway said. “Don’t sell yourself short. Always dream big.”

The Honor Society of the International Literacy Association, Alpha Pi Chapter at Framingham State University, invites you to attend an event featuring:

The Crazy Reading Ladies: "Leading a Culture of Literacy: You are Braver Than You Think."
Tuesday, March 21st
McCarthy Center Forum
7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, MA and an FSU alum.

Mary Cotillo, Assistant Principal at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, MA.

Learn about their school-wide extracurricular reading initiative, All In! ™

http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/

Questions? Contact Dr. Diane Lowe at dlowe@framingham.edu

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 1:30 p.m., Heineman Ecumenical Center

Daisy Ball: Asian/Americans and Crime - An Historical Overview of Asian/Americans’ Criminal Justice Involvement
Asian/Americans in the U.S. are both the victims of crime, and the perpetrators of crime; however, their characterization as the “model minority” often masks their criminal justice involvement. In this talk, Sociology Professor Daisy Ball reviews Asian/Americans’ present-day model minority status alongside what is known about their criminal justice involvement, beginning from the early-19th century and continuing to the 21st century.

Ke Li: Anonymous Victims and Invisible Communities - U.S. Media Portrayals of Chinese International Students Involved in Homicide
This project employs content analysis to examine U.S. news media coverage of homicides committed by Chinese nationals enrolled at American colleges and universities. Sociology Professor Ke Li’s findings add new depth to our understanding of the news media’s role in portraying foreign nationals in an era of globalization in which transnational movements of humans, products, and ideas have become the new norm.

The Spring Nutrition Fair will be on Tuesday, April 4th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m in the McCarthy Center Commons and Market Place

This Semester's theme:  Consume a Tune. It will feature seven music bands with lots of nutrition information, raffles, games and Food!

Presented by the Senior Nutrition Students in the Coordinated Program. Sponsored by The Food and Nutrition Department and Dining Services.

Questions?  Please contact:  Karen White  kwhite12@framingham.edu

By Sarah Sousa, Publications Intern

In this political climate, Muslims are being specifically and wrongfully targeted according to Shannon Erwin, co-founder of the Muslim Justice League.

Erwin spoke to students, faculty and Framingham residents about recent discrimination toward Muslims and how to combat the issue through being an active bystander.

She addressed recent and anticipated policies by the Trump administration and specifically noted the Muslim ban. FBI agents visit homes in Muslim majority neighborhoods and have conversations with them. Erwin said these can seem friendly, but they may be trying to solicit information from the residents and report false statements they make.

According to Erwin, FBI visits to Muslim households has “depressed the attendance at mosques.”
People pose as converts and go to mosques in an attempt to solicit information from other attendees. The people at the mosque experience weird dynamics with people at the mosque,” said Erwin.

Unconstitutional interrogations are “not unusual,” said Erwin. The majority of people being stopped are U.S. citizens.

“There’s a need for law enforcement to do their job,” said Erwin.

There are ways to become an active bystander. Erwin suggests joining groups that have a goal of supporting Muslims.

She said to find organizations “that align with what your politics are.”

Erwin said an action that can become problematic is non-Muslim women wearing a hijab as a symbol of solidarity.

This situation creates discomfort for women who wear hijabs based on their religious beliefs, said Erwin.

“It can be challenging… to know what actions we can take,” said Erwin.

Please join us in celebrating Women's History Month in March!

M.I.S.S. Presents West African Dance Workshop, Monday, 3/20, 7 p.m. in the McCarthy Center Forum-
Join M.I.S.S. for an evening of dancing and fun!

CIE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION #SayHerName, Wednesday, 3/22, 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Inclusive Excellence (library)
Join us for a discussion about police brutality and anti-black violence against black women in the United States. We will commemorate the women who passed over the past two decades.

M.I.S.S. Carnival, Friday, 3/24, 7 p.m. in the Old Gym-
Join M.I.S.S. for their signature club event and fun!

Women Making History Now Award Reception
In honor of Women’s History Month, Framingham State University will recognize women in leadership who have made a significant contribution to their professions and our communities. The honorees are women who have advanced the cause of achievement and serve as role models for people throughout and beyond the state of Massachusetts. More information to follow.

All members of the FSU community are welcome to attend events. For questions, please contact Chon’tel Washington at cwashington@framingham.edu.

The Framingham State University Warren Conference Center and Inn hosted the 2017 Massachusetts Public Higher Education Chief Information Officer Summit on Friday, March 10.

Topics at the summit included:

1.     “Massachusetts High Performance Computing Center Update and Way Forward”:  John Goodhue (Executive Director of the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center) and Ralph Zottola (Chief Technology Officer – Research Computing at the University of Massachusetts) provided an overview and lead subsequent discussions on how state colleges and universities might utilize resources of the MGHPCC for research and development initiatives.

2.    “Leadership in the Digital Age”:  Kim Crider, CEO of Leadership Matters and Partner at velocityHub shared insights on the challenges and opportunities IT leaders face and how to drive value for the organizations we serve.
 

Being a Good Sport: Educators’ Roles in Promoting Safe Athletic Environments for LGBTQ Youth, Monday, 3/20, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Center for Inclusive Excellence- Discussion led by Scott Greenspan, M.S., Doctoral Student in School Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Sponsored by Professor James Cressey.

Brave Space Series: LGBT+ 101 Workshop Wednesday, 4/12, 1:30pm-2:20pm, Center for Inclusive Excellence – Discussion led by Jace Williams. Sponsored by CIE.

Spring Job and Internship Fair
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m., MC Forum

Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available.  Over 55 employers from the business, human services, non-profit, and STEM will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log onto your RamTrack account to view full organizations list.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Santander Career Day
Thursday, April  6, 2017, 9:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m., McCarthy  514

Meet hiring managers and have on-the-spot interviews for many career
opportunities at Santander!
 
Reverse Career Fair
Friday, April 7, 2017, 12:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m., MC Forum

The “Reverse Career Fair” is intended for EMPLOYERS to view course work from many majors/concentrations including graphic and web design seminar classes and computer science, marketing, management and business technology majors.

Presenting students please reserve your showcase table today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9P9N33Q
 
SAVE THE DATE: MERC Education Fair
Thursday, April 20, 2017 , 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., at Boston University

Come to the largest education fair in New England -  Over 100 school systems and agencies attend!  This annual recruiting event brings together teaching candidates and school systems across the country for networking and job opportunities in public /private schools.  Must register at: www.merccareerfair.com.
 
Employer Showcase Series: (See dates and times below)
9:00AM to 6:00PM every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center Lobby

3/22/17
9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.: TD Bank

3/29/17
9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.: Santander

4/5/17
9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.—New York Life

4/12/17
Noon—3:00 p.m.—Mystic valley Regional Charter School

4/19/17
Noon – 3:00 p.m.- Soccer Super Stars

4/26/17
Noon – 3;00 p.m. - AnswerNet

Alumni Advisors
One-on-one conversations and drop ins with FSU alumni to get real advice on your career related questions  —
Most Tuesdays from 1 pm—4 pm in the CSER Interview Room, MC 514 beginning February 2017.
 
3/21/17
1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.: Amp Agency -Serena Springstead, Boston, New York and L.A. Full Service Marketing Agency

Dr. Thomas Koshy, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, and Dr. Zhenguang Gao, Associate Professor of Computer Science, have co-authored an article, titled "Polynomial Extensions of a Diminnie Delight."  It appeared in The Fibonacci Quarterly, Vol. 55 (2017), pp. 13-20.