News Reporter
At CMU President Tim Foster’s request, ASG will host a series of Violence Prevention and Awareness forums this week.
On Tuesday, the Gay-Straight Alliance will host a panel discussion on bias-motivated crime and prevention from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. in Houston Hall Room 204. A community round table and workshop will be hosted by ASG at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the University Center West Ballroom.
“Every so often it’s time to reflect on our basic values,” ASG President Justin Kawcak said. “As we continue to grow it’s important to make sure we’re moving in the right direction.”
In an email sent to students last week, Foster said, “From time to time, it is necessary for us to stop and reflect on some of the basic values that we, as a campus community share. We value learning. We value teaching. We value respect, honesty, hard work and achievement. We must be free to pursue all of these things in an environment free from violence—violence of all types perpetrated against all peoples and for any reason.”
A round table will be the first in the series meant to engage students and to raise awareness of the different forms of violence. A second community round table will take place after spring break during the week of March 26 and will follow-up on the first discussion.
“I would like to challenge every student and leader to attend the forums and be active in the forums,” Kawcak said. “It starts with the students being involved and supporting their fellow students.”
Throughout the school year, there have been frequent instances of violence both on and around campus. However, these instances have occurred more often than usual. Kawcak said there was no particular instance that sparked the idea for these forums.
“This year, tragically, our campus has faced acts of violence,” Foster said in the email. “Some instances have received considerable notice, other acts have been perpetrated without much public attention. But all acts of violence are deplorable.”
The violence forums are only the beginning of CMU’s diversity campaign. Holocaust Awareness events and activities begin the first week of April.
Mav Fest and Unity Fest take place April 11 with Unity Fest continuing through April 14. The Theatre Department’s will keep with the theme of unity with their spring play, “The Diary of Anne Frank” April 11-14.
This year’s Mav Fest will serve as a kick-off to Unity Fest. ASG will serve burgers, hotdogs and will pass out Frisbees. Kawcak said he hopes to see people excited to be a part of campus and hopes to engage as many people as possible.
There will also be a Social Justice Scholarship contest that aims to promote violence prevention. Submissions should have a theme of non-violence of all types, violence prevention, tolerance cooperation, respectful interaction and community.
Submissions must be turned in at the ASG offices on the second floor of the University Center by April 10.
For more information on the forums, or the Social Justice Contest, contact Kawcak at 248-1707 or email jkawcak@mavs.coloradomesa.edu.
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