Washington DC along with several other cities and states across the nation recognized Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. This holiday has been celebrated for over 30 years, South Dakota was the first state to do so in 1987.
But why not Columbus Day?
For centuries, Christopher Columbus has been celebrated in the United States as the person who discovered the New World in 1492. However, this is both wrong and erases the dark history that still impacts the Indigenous community today. The truth is that Columbus was not the first European explorer to discover the Americas. Additionally, he was responsible for the brutal treatment and slaughtering of countless native people, including children. 400 years later, in 1892, Columbus Day was first recognized in school systems across the nation, despite the fact that Columbus never set foot on U.S. soil in his four voyages to the New World.
So, how did Columbus become an American Icon?
During the war of Independence, American revolutionaries looked for a figure to symbolize the rebellious nature of the war, ignoring the brutality against Indigenous people. Italian immigrants in the coming decades would further celebrate him as a hero who shared both their Italian and Catholic identities in a time where these identities were being marginalized. Since then, much of Indigenous history has been omitted from history books.
Why does it matter?
Indigenous People have continued to be erased from American history, and are continually ripped away from their lands and their families for the benefit of colonization and westward expansion. They have been used as mascots for Major League Sport teams, carelessly reduced to caricatures of their culture.
“So if Columbus was a bad person, how can Italians celebrate their heritage?”
There is nothing inherently bad about celebrating any culture. However, we should all reflect on and reevaluate who we cherish as our idols. Christopher Columbus is only one part of the vibrant contributions of Italian Americans. There are many other ways to celebrate heritage while being thoughtful about the impact on other communities.
What should I do as a non-Native person?
Although we should not speak for Native people and their experiences, we should be aware of ways we can help elevate their voices and include them in our conversations. Do we include them in discussions for people of color, or do we default to the other large panethnic groups (i.e. Black/Africana, Latinx/a/o, Asian and Pacific Islanders)? Are we considering inclusive procedures to respect their spiritual and cultural practices, such as smudging? These are just a few examples on how we can move the needle to a more inclusive society.
Upcoming Indigenous Centered Events
November 5th - Mundo Lingo: More Than A Word Film Screening
December 5th - How to Be A Better Ally?: Local Indigenous Communities
Hello Treasurers!
Budget requests for Finance Board funding for all events during the spring semester are due this Friday, OCTOBER 18th! The Treasurer Support Team, along with the Treasurer, are hosting Budget Workshops Wednesday 12-1. Thursday 11:30-12:30, and Friday 12-1 all hosted in the SGA office, Commons 2B20. You must attend a workshop if you have not already attended Treasurer Training this semester.
If you cannot make these workshops and would like help completing any budget request, please contact your liaison or visit a representative’s office hours for help. If your event falls within the scope of having to meet with ECS, an Event Planning Form is required in the budget submission process as backup documentation for the Commons fees requested. We are trying to put in every effort to support you all during this process, please let us know of any questions or concerns!!
Best,
Lasya Tallapragada,Treasurer Support Team
Princess Sara Njemanze, Treasurer Support Team
Scott Buchan, SGA Treasurer
]]>TEAM LEAD: PRESIDENT
Responsibilities:
Positions Available: 1
Time Commitment: 2 - 4 hours per week
Annual Stipend: $494.00
UMBC’s STRiVE retreat has inspired hundreds of undergraduate students in the past 11 years. Now it's your turn. Spend five days building community and developing skills while exploring leadership for social impact. You will emerge with greater clarity and confidence about the contributions you want to make.
This year’s STRiVE retreat will take place January 13-17, 2020. STRiVE participants will make new friends, discover their strengths and values, learn how to work more effectively in groups, envision contributions they could make at UMBC, and tackle both simulated and real leadership and social change challenges. Past STRiVE participants have gotten deeply involved in campus organizations and initiatives, and have made phenomenal contributions.
To apply for a spot in STRiVE 2020, complete this form by Sunday, November 10, 2020.
STRiVE is hosted by UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and sponsored by the UMBC Student Government Association. More information on this program is available below.
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STRiVE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is STRiVE?
STRiVE is an intensive, engaging and exhilarating off-campus retreat (5 days, 4 nights) developed by UMBC to help students become more effective leaders and participants in civic life on campus and throughout their lives. The STRiVE experience will include a bonfire, challenge course, simulations, and other fun activities.
Do I have to be an “involved” student to attend STRiVE?
Absolutely not! STRiVE will be helpful to any student regardless of previous involvement or leadership experience. No prior experience is necessary! We are looking for a diverse group of students committed to developing their skills and applying them to contribute to positive change in the campus community. The application asks about campus involvement only to give the STRiVE planning team a sense of the different perspectives participants will bring to the retreat.
When is STRiVE?
STRiVE 2020 will take place from January 13 - 17, 2020.
Where will STRiVE be held?
STRiVE will be held at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, Maryland. Participants will stay in motel-style rooms (sharing a room with 1 other student) and all activities will be held on site. Bus transportation between UMBC and the retreat site will be provided.
How much does it cost to attend STRiVE?
UMBC covers most of the cost of each participant’s attendance. However, there is a participation fee of $100 that helps cover some of the cost of transportation, lodging and food. Money should not be a barrier to attendance, however, and participants will be able to complete a form to request financial assistance.
When is the application due?
Sunday, November 10, 2019.
When will accepted applicants be informed?
Applicants will receive an email in late November with additional details about participating in STRiVE.
How can I find out more information about STRiVE?
Please contact UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life by sending an email to David Hoffman (dhoffman@umbc.edu) or Romy Hübler (romy.huebler@umbc.edu). ]]>Before you start the survey, there are a few important items to note:
Questions? If you have any questions about the survey process, email mantell1@umbc.edu or call 443-612-3663
On behalf of UMBC Dining, we thank you for taking the time to participate in this very important initiative and sharing your valuable insights!
October is LGBTQA+ History Month. We recognize National Coming Out Day (NCOD) on October 11th. NCOD was founded in 1988 to mark the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This day is a reminder that - in the fight for equality - one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out and sharing our stories.
For over three decades, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual (LBGTQA) people and allies have celebrated NCOD through marches, informational sessions, photo-booths, speak-outs, parties and so much more. The overall goal is to show our families, friends, colleagues and the world that LGBTQA+ people are EVERYWHERE, living, loving and thriving.
Coming out - whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer - STILL MATTERS. One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who identifies as gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in ten. Visibility creates advocates and is important in the continued fight for equality and representation. Moreover, sharing your story is an essential part of finding your community and being your true authentic self. (Adapted from the Human Rights Campaign, 2018).
Check out this video to understand the coming out process and what you can do as an ally. To improve your allyship skills, please check out our SafeZone Allyship Workshops. For other general LGBTQA+ related questions, please contact Heidy George, Program Associate for Student Diversity and Inclusion at hmg@umbc.edu or lgbtq@umbc.edu.
Come on out and join UMBC in celebrating these upcoming LGBTQ+ events!
UMBC’s University Health Services (UHS) is working to educate students and the University community about a new CDC report on an outbreak of lung injury associated with vaping.
The Basics
As of Nov. 20, 2019, 2,290 lung injury cases associated with using e-cigarette/vaping products have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and 2 U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).
47 deaths have been confirmed in 25 states and the District of Columbia.
All patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette/vaping products.
The latest national and state findings suggest products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources (friends, family, illicit dealers), are linked to most of the cases and play a major role in the outbreak.
Vitamin E acetate has been identified as a chemical of concern among people with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI).
THC is present in most of the samples tested by FDA to date, and most patients report a history of using THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
The Symptoms
Patients in this investigation have reported symptoms such as:
cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
fatigue, fever, chills, or weight loss
Some patients have reported that their symptoms developed over a few days, while others have reported that their symptoms developed over several weeks. A lung infection does not appear to be causing the symptoms.
Remember
Do not buy e-cigarette/vaping products with THC or CBD oils off the street, and do not modify or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
See a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.
Getting Help
Talk to someone at UHS (410-455-2542) or the Counseling Center (410-455-2472).
Contact The Haven at UMBC for recovery and sober living resources for students.
Visit the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration's treatment locator to locate treatment in your area, or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Contact your healthcare provider, or call the local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens’ What to Do If You Have a Problem with Drugs.
Get resources and support at Smokefree Teen and Truth Initiative.