Welcome Week 2015: Events By Center

A large building with big trees to the left and right with a blue sky in the background

OIIR Welcome Week Events by Center

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

Wake Up Call 2015: Survivor
Saturday, August 22nd, 5 pm
Lincoln Hall Auditorium

100 STRONG and the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center welcome you to Wake Up Call 2015. Wake Up Call was created with several purposes in mind including:

  • To provide incoming African American students with a list of resources that will assist them throughout their college career.
  • To encourage African American students to strive for academic excellence.
  • To promote African American unity throughout the campus and community.

With the assistance of current Illinois students, faculty and alumni Wake Up Call provides a forum for discussion on the topics relevant to the African American experience at Illinois via skits, multimedia, and the performing arts. We hope you will join us for informative, yet entertaining event.

Food for the Soul
Wednesday, August 26th, 12–2 pm
Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (51 East Gregory Drive, Champaign)
Paid for in part by SCPF

Meet the BNAACC Staff, and help us welcome Office Support Valeri Nesbitt-Howard and Assistant Director Tekita Bankhead! All are welcome.

Outdoor Film Screening of Selma
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center together with Inclusive Illinois, the Illini Union Board, The Career Center, Bruce D. Nesbitt African-American Cultural Center, & DiversityEd | Funded in part by Inclusive Illinois
Thursday, September 3rd. Film begins at dusk. Estimated start time: 8:15 pm
Main Quad (Anniversary Plaza; outdoors facing the Illini Union)

SELMA is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.  Director Ava DuVernay’s SELMA tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. Designed for all incoming students. Our film will be closed captioned with audio descriptions. If we can assist with any additional accessibility needs, please contact the Women's Resources Center at 217-333-3137.

BNAACC Goes to the Game!
Saturday, September 5th, 8 pm
Memorial Stadium

Asian American Cultural Center

Nevada Street Open House
Hosted by Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, & Native American House
Sunday, August 25th, 3–5 pm
Nevada Street Cultural Centers (Between Mathews and Goodwin, Urbana)

Want to cool off after Quad Day? Stop by Nevada Street and relax at the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, and Native American House to meet and greet staffs. Find out what these centers are doing for their upcoming programs for the year. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Asiantation
Presented by Asian American Cultural Center and Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) with Asian American Housing Student Organization (AASHO)
Thursday, August 27th, 5–7 pm
2nd Floor MPR - Student Dining Residential Program Building
Paid for in part by SCPF

Asiantation is designed to welcome new students who are Asian and Asian Americans on campus. The Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), Asian American Student Housing Organization (AASHO) and Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) have partnered together over the years to create an event where students from Asian descent feel included in the University of Illinois community. This event assists incoming, and even current, Asian/Asian American students to adapt to the college environment by providing resources on campus, getting to know the various Asian and Asian American student organization on campus, along with providing the opportunity to connect with other Asian /Asian American students. Food and Refreshments will be provided.

La Casa Cultural Latina

Nevada Street Open House
Hosted by Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, & Native American House
Sunday, August 25th, 3–5 pm
Nevada Street Cultural Centers (Between Mathews and Goodwin, Urbana)

Want to cool off after Quad Day? Stop by Nevada Street and relax at the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, and Native American House to meet and greet staffs. Find out what these centers are doing for their upcoming programs for the year. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Paletas Social at La Casa Cultural Latina
Monday, August 24th, 6 pm
La Casa Cultural Latina (1203 W Nevada St, Urbana)
Paid for in part by SCPF

After the first day of classes, La Casa holds a social for new students to come and meet other new and returning students, while returning students can catch up with fellow classmates, all while enjoying a paleta/ice cream. It is also an introduction of La Casa to new students in an informal manner.

¿Que Pasa La Casa?
Tuesday, September 1st, 5:30 pm
Student Dining Residential Program Building (SDRP)
Paid for in part by SCPF

A Latina/o Orientation to meet members of the over 20 student organizations affiliated with La Casa and the people/students who work at La Casa. Learn more about the resources and programs that can make a real difference during your time on campus.

Diversity & Social Justice Education

Welcome Back: Social Justice Social
Sponsored by Diversity & Social Justice Education, the University YMCA, and the YWCA of the University of Illinois
Sunday, August 23rd, 3:30–6:30 pm (Immediately following Quad Day)
University YMCA Front Lawn (1001 S. Wright St., Champaign)

Care about social justice? Love socializing with cool people? Come to our first ever “Social Justice Social” cookout, sponsored by the University YMCA, YWCA at the University of Illinois, and U of I’s Diversity & Social Justice Education. Join together with other students who care about social justice issues and celebrate the start of a new school year. All students are welcome!

Outdoor Film Screening of Selma
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center together with Inclusive Illinois, the Illini Union Board, The Career Center, Bruce D. Nesbitt African-American Cultural Center, & DiversityEd | Funded in part by Inclusive Illinois
Thursday, September 3rd. Film begins at dusk. Estimated start time: 8:15 pm
Main Quad (Anniversary Plaza; outdoors facing the Illini Union)

SELMA is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.  Director Ava DuVernay’s SELMA tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. Designed for all incoming students. Our film will be closed captioned with audio descriptions. If we can assist with any additional accessibility needs, please contact us at 217-333-3137.

International Education

Cultural House Showcase
Sponsored by New Student Programs, Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, RSOs
Wednesday, August 19th, 6:30–9 pm
Illini Union, Courtyard Café

All students are invited to a showcase for cultural/resources centers under OIIR, to learn about various programs, events and resources offered. They will also learn about the various student organizations.

iCU: OIIR Intercultural Dialogue Series
Wednesday, September 2nd, 6:30–7:30 pm
Asian American Cultural Center (1210 West Nevada Street, Urbana)

Dr. Feiz, Director of Persian Studies, presents the importance of Persian language, the native speakers, the population, the history of the language which is the predominant modern descendant of the Old and Middle Persian (the language of Persian Empire) and its considerable influence on neighboring languages. Learn the difference between 'Persian' and 'Farsi' and how the name of the country changed from "Persia" to "Iran". Also discussed in the session the wealth of cultural contributions of Persian language to the world; and different aspects of Persian culture including its literature (major epic and Sufi poets such as Rumi and Hafez), calligraphy, miniature, architecture, tile works, fine rugs, and cuisine.

LGBT Resource Center

LGBT Resource Center Welcome Back Event
Tuesday, August 25th, 4–6 pm (Program begins at 4:30 pm)
Illini Union Room 314 A&B
Paid for in part by SCPF

Celebrate the start of a new year with food, music, and opportunities to meet LGBT Resource Center staff, LGBT RSOs, campus partners, and more! Come find out how to get involved with and stay connected to LGBTQ life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign! First year students, returning students, staff and faculty partners are all invited.

Q-Connect Retreat
Saturday, August 29th, 10 am–4 pm
SDRP, Ikenberry Commons

Q-Connect is an extended welcome program for first year LGBTQIA identified students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This six week long program will provide opportunities for LGBTQIA identified college students to make a successful transition to the U of I.

The main event is the day-long Q-Connect welcome event on Saturday, August 29th from 10-4pm in the SDRP. Here students will have opportunities to get to know each other, to talk about personal histories and identities, and hear from current students about how what success has looked like for them at U of I. After the day-long workshop, we invite students to attend weekly sessions that will cover a variety of useful topics.

Students are encouraged to pre-register at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/8645763 to secure their spot. For more information about Q-Connect visit go.illinois.edu/QConnect.

Native American House

Meet 'n Greet: 1491s
Wednesday, August 19th, 4:30–5:30 pm
Native American House (1206 W. Nevada St., Urbana)
Funded by SCPF

Native American House hosts 1491s and invites students and campus community for an afternoon of humor and Root Beer floats to introduce all back to the campus. 1491s are a sketch comedy group who have a chock full of cynicism and splashed with a good dose of indigenous satire.

1491s Evening Performance
Thursday, August 20, 4:30–5:30 pm
Illini Union Lower Level
Funded by SCPF

Welcome back to campus! Join Native American House for an evening of humor and education. Bobby Wilson (Dakota) and Migizi Pensoneau (Ponca/Ojibway) of 1491s share their short films on the role of humor on indigenous issues. Post-film discussion to follow.

Nevada Street Open House
Hosted by Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, & Native American House
Sunday, August 25th, 3–5 pm
Nevada Street Cultural Centers (Between Mathews and Goodwin, Urbana)

Want to cool off after Quad Day? Stop by Nevada Street and relax at the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, and Native American House to meet and greet staffs. Find out what these centers are doing for their upcoming programs for the year. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Women's Resources Center

95th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage Party
Wednesday, August 26th, 3–5 pm
Women’s Resources Center (703 S. Wright St. 2nd floor, Champaign)

Join us in a celebration of women’s right to vote! The Women’s Resources Center invites you to an open house and exhibit of photos and artifacts from the movement to secure women’s right to vote. Cake and refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. All students are welcome!

Fall 2015 FYCARE Workshops Begin
Sunday, August 30th through Thursday, October 8th

Welcome Back(yard) BBQ
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center and the Career Center
Arcade Courtyard (Behind Financial Aid Bldg.)
Thursday, September 3rd, 6–8 pm

The Women’s Resources Center and the Career Center will be hosting a Welcome Back(yard) BBQ  featuring picnic foods, games, music, and dancing in the Arcade Courtyard behind the Financial Aid Office. Following the BBQ, there will also be a Quad Film Screening beginning at 8 pm. Don't miss out on an evening of fun and a chance to kick back and celebrate the beginning of another year on campus! Vegan and gluten-free food options will be available. All students welcome.

Outdoor Film Screening of Selma
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center together with Inclusive Illinois, the Illini Union Board, The Career Center, Bruce D. Nesbitt African-American Cultural Center, & DiversityEd | Funded in part by Inclusive Illinois
Thursday, September 3rd. Film begins at dusk. Estimated start time: 8:15 pm
Main Quad (Anniversary Plaza; outdoors facing the Illini Union)

SELMA is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.  Director Ava DuVernay’s SELMA tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. Designed for all incoming students. Our film will be closed captioned with audio descriptions. If our WRC staff can assist with any additional accessibility needs, please contact us at 217-333-3137.

Fall Family Fest
Sponsored by Family and Graduate Housing and the Women’s Resources Center
Sunday, September 20th, 12–2pm
Orchard Downs Community Center (510 W George Huff Dr., Urbana)

Join the Women’s Resources Center and Orchard Downs Family and Graduate Housing for a fun and festive Fall Family Fest program, especially designed for student who are parents and their children featuring a sing-a-long, outdoor and indoor activities, food, and a resource fair! Vegan and gluten-free food options will be available. Designed for incoming and returning pregnant and parenting students and their children. If our WRC staff can assist with any additional accessibility needs, please contact us at 217-333-3137.