Campus Currents

Climate Hope Concert by Multiverse Concert Series
Saturday, April 20
LIVE performances at 7:00PM and 8:30pm
CHRISTA MCAULIFFE CENTER AT FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY

Multiverse’s annual Climate Hope Concert interweaves music and science to tell immersive stories of regeneration: projects working to heal not just our atmosphere, but our biosphere and society as a whole.

Over the course of the show, musicians and scientists connect diverse threads together, exploring topics from sustainable polymers, coral reef restoration, urban regeneration projects and the regeneration of space, as a unifying source of wonder for our precious island earth.

We are excited to perform Climate Hope Concert in celebration of Framingham Earth Day!

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Showtimes: 7:00pm and 8:30pm
Age Group: Recommended for ages 13+

Untangling the Discourse: Exploring Complex Terms in the Israeli-Palestinian Context
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 4:30 pm to 6:oo pm
Heineman Ecumenical Center

Speakers:

Dr. Aviva Chomsky is Professor of History and coordinator of Latin American Studies at Salem State University in Massachusetts.

Dr. Yasser Derwiche Djazaerly is a professor in the Humanities Department at Fitchburg State University.

Dr. Susan Massad is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Health Studies at Framingham State.

More information can be found here.

Framingham State University has become an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators. FSU joins many other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators.

“Framingham State has made environmental stewardship a top priority for many years,” says FSU President Dr. Nancy Niemi. “This latest initiative with Bee Campus USA commits us to taking steps to protect bees and other pollinators crucial to our ecosystem. As part of this effort, the University has committed to minimizing hazards to pollinators by using nearly no neonicotinoids or other potentially dangerous pesticides.”

Currently FSU hosts two designated pollinator habitats – one behind O’Connor Hall next to the McAuliffe Center and one in the campus community garden next to the McCarthy Center, according to Dr. Megan Mayer, a Professor of Nutrition and Health Studies and the University’s Sustainability Coordinator.

“These pollinator habitats are maintained using a hands-off approach that might look messy to some; however, these “wild” or natural looking spaces provide food sources and living quarters for native pollinators, which is especially important during the wintertime,” Dr. Mayer says.

FSU’s Bee Campus Advisory Committee – which is co-chaired by Mayer and Dr. Aviva Liebert from the Biology Department – is collaborating with the Facilities Department to identify spots on campus to plant a few additional pollinator gardens.

To raise awareness about the plight of pollinators, the committee plans to publish a webpage to disseminate information to the campus and external communities including Framingham State’s Integrated Pest Management Plan, a list of native plants incorporated into the campus landscape including their bloom time and habitat needs, links to student and faculty research into pollinator issues, and information about upcoming events.

APRIL 18, 2024
2:00PM-3:00PM
Christa McAuliffe Center
O’Connor Hall
Framingham State University
https://the-space-consortium.givecloud.co/2024tripleevent

“Safe Space? Navigating the Galaxy of Workplace Equity in Space Careers”
Explore the darker side of space careers and advice from seasoned professionals on creating a more inclusive industry.

Keynote Speaker
Ken Fullwood, Logistics Engineering Management at NASA

Mr. Fullwood has extensive experience in aerospace system design & safety engineering. His background includes launch vehicle design, manufacturing, ground systems/subsystems design, operations, system engineering and integration, certification and verification for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Air Force. Mr. Fullwood currently provides support as a System Engineer and Technical Integrator for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Space Launch System, Kennedy Space Center Ground Systems Development and Operations.
Join us at 1:00pm, before the panel discussion, and participate in the Space Resource Fair

Ending Ceremony on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 4:30 PM in Alumni Room (Hybrid)
Campaign Leader: Sabrina Grammatic
Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApc-2rrDkiHtAljHCEKKWfQiexH1-HSl6s

Overcoming personal struggles should be celebrated, but it can be difficult to share these struggles with others. Now you have the opportunity to do so! Share your story about overcoming a challenge in your life through a form (https://forms.gle/AupgnUqHFUKj2ffX6) submission and come to our in-person event April 25th at 4:30 pm in the alumni room to see other's stories and also share your own! You can be anonymous, or you can opt to speak about your experience. No matter what, know that you are courageous for sharing your triumphs!

Saturday, April 27
12:00PM - 3:00PM
Christa McAuliffe Center and O'Connor Hall Parking Lot

Science on State Street is Framingham State University’s annual science festival, a community-wide event organized by the Christa McAuliffe Center in collaboration with MetroWest STEM Education Network.

Science on State Street has a particular focus on themes relating to planet Earth. Explore science, technology, engineering, and math and the ways they support environmental justice, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability!

Framingham State University's Danforth Museum and School has three upcoming events in Portuguese! At all of the events, The Danforth will have any written materials in Portuguese as well as English; and there will be Portuguese-speaking people to welcome guests, make their visit to a new place as comfortable as possible, guide them if needed, and answer any questions.

We are really excited to pilot this bilingual programming with our consistently well-attended Drop into Art and our Community Conversations through Art. The Brazilian artists who are speaking at this year's Community Conversations through Art are fabulous artists and wonderful people.

Learn more by clicking on the links below!

Bilingual Community Conversations through Art - April 20, 2024

Bilingual Drop into Art – May 12, 2024: Museum Blooms

Bilingual Community Conversations through Art - June 1, 2024

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH, 11AM -3PM
Visit FSU's Campus Sustainability booth and dozens of others at the 12th annual
festival on the Framingham Centre Common (at Edgell Road/Vernon Street).

CLIMATE HOPE CONCERT SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH, 7PM & 8:30PM
Multiverse's annual Climate Hope Concert hosted at the McAuliffe Center
interweaves music and science to tell immersive stories of regeneration: projects
working to heal not just our atmosphere, but our biosphere and society as a whole.

FSU SUSTAINABILITY TRIVIA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 12PM -1:30PM
Join us in the McCarthy Dining Commons to test your FSU sustainability knowledge
and win prizes to support eco-friendly living!

POLLINATOR GARDEN WALKING TOUR THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2:30PM
Meet in front of the McCarthy Center for a walking tour hosted by Dr. Aviva Liebert
to learn more about the pollinator gardens on campus and how they are beneficial
to native bees and other pollinator species.

GARDEN & NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH, 12:30 -2:30PM
Sign up here to join Keep Framingham Beautiful, Green Initiative, & Campus Sustainability to prep the campus garden for spring planting and help clean litter from the campus and surrounding
neighborhood. Meet outside the McCarthy Center to get supplies and instructions.

Register at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545ACA829A5F49-48768627-spring?useFullSite=true#/

Join us for our first networking event hosted by the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center!

Friday, April 26, 5 p.m.
860 Worcester Road

All majors welcome! Engage in conversations on entrepreneurial equity, starting a business, and scaling up your startup with link-minded peers. Refreshments and Ram Tram Service provided. 

Register at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ivGKVtunQE2ln9ZP1I2zZhQg1mP20oBLh9AyCIJ06V1UMVMzUTRQT05KVU84TklSMlhKTVpOT0tOMC4u&origin=lprLink

From Challenges to Opportunities: Innovative Housing Solutions For Economic Prosperity IN GREATER METROWEST

Thursday, May 30th, Forum, McCarthy Center
Framingham State University
Register HERE

TIME:
11:00 a.m. Program
11:30 a.m. Keynote Address
12:35 p.m. MERC Update
12:55 p.m. Panel Presentation
2:00 p.m. Adjourn

Keynote Speaker: ED AUGUSTUS
Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary Ed Augustus leads the newly created Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The office is dedicated to housing and driving solutions to create more homes and lower costs. It is focused on the urgent need to build places to live that are affordable and closer to public transit - giving residents access to jobs, medical care, groceries, and other essential services. Before joining the Healey administration, Secretary Augustus served as City Manager of Worcester, functioning as the gateway city’s chief administrative and executive officer of more than 200,000 people. As City Manager, Augustus spearheaded the $240 million landmark redevelopment of Worcester’s canal district, including leading the complex negotiation to relocate the Boston Red  Sox AAA affiliate (now the WooSox) to the city and constructing the multi-use Polar Park Stadium.

By Kaitlin Carman, Publications Intern

Amongst the steady hum of the McCarthy Center Forum, Yair Rachmamy, a Freshman, was hosting the Outing Club’s booth at Framingham State’s Fresh Check event.

Rachmamy was handing out more than campus and club resources – he was spreading the importance of mental health and being part of one’s community.

He personally knows just how impactful being a part of a group can be, especially when staring college.

“I felt like I was really a part of a community and I really connected with everybody and it just made me really want to continue going to events because, it just didn't feel like an event – it felt like a group of friends just going out and having fun.”

The April 3rd event was the sixth time Framingham State University has hosted the mental health promotion and suicide prevention event, according to Pam Lehmberg, NP, Coordinator of Wellness Education, and advisor to the SEALS Peer Health Education Program.

Freshly stocked booths featured stress balls, bracelets, water bottles, and other swag with positive messaging in addition to resources available to students, staff, and faculty who might be struggling with mental health.

“It's just such a nice way to come together as a community and it's fun! It's got a festive atmosphere and so, we're able to talk about something that is maybe sometimes stigmatized in a hopeful and positive manner,” said Lehmberg.

By bridging students and mental health resources available on-campus, in the community, and across the country, the event helps students learn ways to cope or help a friend who may be struggling.

Haley Hadge, a SEALS Peer Health Educator said, “One of the things that we're trained in is meeting people where they are so you never want to say like, ‘that's a silly reason to feel that way.’ Or you don't want to invalidate those feelings because they're real feelings.

“But at the same time, we like to communicate that most feelings are kind of like clouds like they come and then they go and you don't want a permanent solution to a potentially passing feeling,” she added.

James Bushard, a sophomore, said he came to the event specifically to pet the therapy dogs. His message to those struggling with mental health is “Seek help. Talk to people about your struggles and everything. You're not alone."

Diego Garcia said, “This event – it helps people understand that you’re not alone. We’re here to provide a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on. … Keep pushing forward.”

He added, “The sun always shines after the storm. Never let a cloudy day affect your dreams and goals … The storms never stay.”

If you or someone you know are struggling or in crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.