Campus Currents

Wednesday, Nov. 3, In person and virtual options

Register at: https://www.alumni.framingham.edu/s/1929/bp20/interior.aspx?sid=1929&gid=2&pgid=623

Featured Speakers:

Sophie Blackall

Javaka Steptoe

Special Guest: Kate DiCamillo

The Swiacki Children's Literature Festival at Framingham State University is an annual celebration of children's books featuring renowned authors and illustrators in the field. The event includes book signings, lectures and workshops sharing the latest developments in the craft. The event launched in 1986 as the David McCord Children's Literature Festival, and was sponsored by the Nobscot Reading Council. Framingham State has hosted the festival since its inception and began coordinating the event in 2006. In 2014, the festival was renamed the Swiacki Children's Literature Festival at Framingham State University in recognition of the efforts and support of alumnae donors, Nancy and Janina Swiacki.

Leslie Starobin, Lyceum Lecture Speaker

Monday, November 1, 2021, 5:30-7PM

Click Here for Zoom Link

Framing Narratives of the Past

Structured as a visual travelogue tracing the routes of memory, this Lyceum Lecture will feature my recent sabbatical project—a photo essay that preserves, in living color, landscapes of ancestral memory and Nazi genocide as they appear today in Poland, seventy-five years after liberation. These topographies are framed by quotes from relatives recalling the events they witnessed and experienced, including arriving at the gates of Auschwitz. At a time when"two-thirds of American millennials don’t know what Auschwitz was"(The Boston Globe) and in an age when "Holocaust appropriation, fueled by this global pandemic, is going viral"(CNN),this lecture will address how art contributes to the preservation of historical memory and how, in challenging times, art can serve as an educational catalyst.

Donald Halsing - Publications Intern

Following the 2020 U.S. Presidential election and Jan. 6 Capitol riots, Emily Rosenberg took a step back from consuming social media.

“I realized that my opinions about the election - or what was happening in the world - weren't being shaped by real facts,” she said.

Rosenberg said she wanted to help students gain access to free, reliable news. She said social media had provided her with “a very one-sided perspective on the world.

“Going that extra mile to learn the truth is important,” she added.

With help from Henry E. Whittemore Library staff, Rosenberg hosted “Seeking Truth - Verifying Online Information,” in the Alumni Room Oct. 20. The presentation was also streamed live on Facebook.

Rosenberg is a sophomore political science major, Outreach and Events coordinator of Student Government Association, and an Arts & Features Editor for The Gatepost, FSU’s award-winning student newspaper.

She said the phrase “fake news” is better represented by “disinformation” and “misinformation.” Both words describe sharing false information. According to Rosenberg, “Disinformation” is shared intentionally “to cause harm” and “misinformation” is shared unintentionally.

Rosenberg listed methods of spotting disinformation: checking whether quotations and facts are cited, identifying conflicts of interest, and scanning for obvious errors.

She said satire, parody, and “imposter content” which looks like trusted news sources can easily fool uninformed readers. “Check your articles like you check the sources you use for a research paper.”

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, highlighted points from the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

He said it functions as a “roadmap” for how citizens can “share information in a very responsible way.”

Silverman said everyone should take ownership about what they share. “If you're not comfortable with that, then perhaps you shouldn't be sharing.”

He said social media users should verify the information within posts before sharing them. “Be skeptical. Think to yourself, ‘Does this make sense?’” he added. “You will get a sense that this either sounds too good to be true, or it sounds worse than maybe you imagined.”

Silverman said people should review and update their posts periodically, and correct unintentional misinformation.

He also encouraged the audience to show compassion for others who publish false information, and privately contact them so they, too, can correct their misinformation.

Silverman said the phrase “fake news” minimizes “our efforts to keep each other informed.” He said “misinformation” and “disinformation” are more accurate and “a lot more helpful.”

“By definition, news can't be fake. If it's fake, it's not news.”

Framingham State and partners are hosting events to recognize Native American Heritage Month featuring author, Joy Harjo. Free copies of her book, An American Sunrise, are available.

THIS WEEK: November 4, 2021, 4:30 p.m. “Stretching the Canvas: Eight Decades of Native Art”

Whittemore Library, virtual event. David Penney, lead curator of the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian collection, will talk about the artists and their work.

November 8, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Contemporary Native American Poetry

Whittemore Library, virtual event. Dr. Brinkman will discuss Native American poetry, drawing on the LOC Living Nations, Living Worlds exhibit of first people’s poetry curated by Joy Harjo and the Modern American Poetry site.

November 17 and November 22 at 7 p.m., Book discussion on An American Sunrise

Framingham Public Library

November 10 and December 6 at 1:30 p.m., Book book discussion on An American Sunrise

Whittemore Library, virtual event

November 13-14, 2021, 10 a.m. Professional Development Workshop

Danforth Art School, 14 Vernon st. The workshop will focus on Native Americans: A Poetry and Art Workshop for teachers centering on Joy Harjo’s book An American Sunrise.

December 8, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Keynote author event “A Talk with Joy Harjo”

Whittemore Library, virtual event Joy Harjo, of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, will talk about her book of poetry An American Sunrise.

February 2, 2022 Presentation

Larry “Spotted” Crow will give a presentation at MassBay Community College Library.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Come join us for a conversation with current and former FSU Political Science majors sharing their experiences with the Washington Center. Learn about internships and opportunities to bolster your professional development and networking.

322 O’Connor Hall
Monday, Nov. 1
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Featuring:

Rachel Spivey, senior Political Science Major
Christine Sifre, Political Science alum, Class of 2020

Pizza and soda will be served!

For more information, contact Dr. Joe Coelho: jcoelho2@framingham.edu

November 8, 2021, 7 p.m., In-Person - McCarthy Center Forum

Starr Carter is the only witness when police fatally shoot her friend Khalil. This 2018 film, based on the novel by Angie Thomas, brilliantly depicts Starr's courageous truth-telling about police violence against African Americans. The movie will play in the Forum. FSU and MetroWest communities are welcome to join the movie viewing and discussion.

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA) needs a new Holiday Card designed for the 2021 Season.

Use your creative talents and enter to win $100 Amazon gift card plus the prestige of having the card sent to over 2,800 alumni!

Deadline for submission is November 10th. For details contact Office@alumnihouse.org or 508-872-9770.

Wednesday Employer Showcases

Employers showcase their organizations, in person, most Wednesdays in the McCarthy Center lobby. Their goal is to network with and recruit students for full-time jobs or internships. Students can stop by their table to learn more.

There are two time slots: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m., featuring up to four different employers:

11/3 10am-11:30am: Olympus Moving & Storage
12pm-1:30pm: Whole Foods Market

11/10 10am-11:30am: Nordstrom
12pm-1:30pm: Altar’d State

11/17 10am-11:30am: Unites States Navy
12pm-1:30pm: United Way of Tri-County – Call2Talk

12/1 10am-11:30am: HMEA
12pm-1:30pm: The National Guard

12/8 10am-11:30am: Danforth Art Museum
12pm-1:30pm: AMC Theaters

MA State Universities Fall Virtual Career Fairs on Handshake
The Massachusetts State Universities are hosting four joint virtual career fairs to be held on HANDSHAKE. Students will virtually meet with employers and explore internship, part-time, and full-time opportunities that meet their career goals, though video group chats and one-on-one sessions. Students MUST pre-register on Handshake.

Each fair is industry focused, but ALL majors are welcome to all fairs.
Register on Handshake at https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs

MA State Universities STEM and Health Sciences
Virtual Career Fair
Tuesday, November 9th, 2021, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.