Campus Currents

February 21, 2022

View Undiscovered Worlds at the FSU Planetarium

FSU Planetarium - Undiscovered Worlds

Full-Dome Film in the FSU Planetarium
Friday, February 25 at 7:00pm

The film will be followed by a live presentation and Q&A with TESS scientists, Katharine Hesse and Evan Tey, in the FSU Planetarium and virtually on Zoom.

https://cm-center.org/event/febplanetarium

Do Earth-like planets exist elsewhere in the universe? Travel to distant stars and fly up close to exotic planets. Experience the science shifting our perspective on humanity’s place in the cosmos.

Humans have long imagined exotic and intriguing worlds beyond our solar system. However, in recent years, science fiction has become science reality. Undiscovered Worlds reveals the methods used by astronomers to identify these alien wanderers, and explores the idea of what it means to be in a habitable zone around a star.

Recommended for: Ages 12+ | Length: 27 minutes

Dr. Robin Kimmerer speaks about indigenous science and sustainability

By Branden LaCroix, Publications Intern

The last passenger pigeon passed away on Sept. 1, 1914.

“Her name was Martha,” explained Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. “And she lived alone in the Cincinnati Zoo.”

She said with the increasing threat climate change poses to biodiversity, “The commemoration of Martha’s death has always weighed heavily on my shoulders.”

Kimmerer said she knew little about the passenger pigeon and sought to learn more about how they lived. She discovered the birds and her people, the Potawatomi, had much in common.
In 1838, her ancestors were forced from their homes in the Great Lakes region of Michigan, and had to make the treacherous journey to Kansas – a journey known as the “Trail of Death.”

At the same time, deforestation of the region forced the passenger pigeon population to migrate to farmlands and crop fields. They were labeled “pests” shortly after, and were hunted “by the thousands,” Kimmerer said.

“Their numbers became fewer and fewer, and in that very same year, our people became fewer as well.”

Dr. Kimmerer is a professor of environmental biology at State University of New York and is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

FSU’s Arts & Ideas hosted “What Can Indigenous Knowledge Teach Us about Climate Justice and Sustainability?” on Feb. 9, part of a year-long event surrounding Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Women, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants.

Kimmerer’s talk centered around traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), a system of teachings about sustainability that has existed for generations, which Kimmerer said is still relevant to the modern world.

Some examples she gave of these teachings include arid-land farming and water management from the Hopi tribe of Arizona, “indigenous burning” of the prairies of Walpole Island, a practice which maintains its “biodiversity and ecological well-being,” and the wolf-repopulation program helmed by the Nez Perce tribe of Idaho.

According to a 2019 study by the UN, biodiversity across the world is in sharp decline, but biodiversity is highest within indigenous lands.

Kimmerer said this shows indigenous science and TEK can help form a sustainable ecology between people and the environment. She said within indigenous lands, “The wellbeing of land and people is not seen as opposite one another as we seem to think in the West – that we can have ecology or economy.

“No, indigenous strategies tell us you can have both.”

According to Kimmerer, another important teaching to help combat climate change is the “Honorable Harvest,” which “arises from notions of reciprocity and kinship.”

The Honorable Harvest is a system of ethics based on gratitude and self-restraint.

“I’m going to have you imagine that you’re walking into a field of berries,” Kimmerer said. “When you get to that field, do you just start picking? Just start filling your mouth? Filling your bucket?”

She said some of the teachings of the honorable harvest are to take only what you need, to try and minimize the damage you may cause, to not be wasteful, to share what has been taken, and, above all, to be thankful.

Reciprocity is one of the most important attributes to indigenous knowledge according to Kimmerer. She said the West tends to view the relationship between people and the environment as “a bad mix.”

“How are we going to move away from the exploitative worldview if we can’t even conceive of mutualism with the Earth?” she asked.

“We must reclaim our role as givers to the land,” she said. “Remember, it’s not the land that’s broken, it’s our relationship to the land that’s broken, and we can fix that.”

The 1619 Project Book Discussion - Session 2

Please join Kathleen Barnard, our new Student Engagement Coordinator, and the Whittemore Library for a series of discussions on The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine. This groundbreaking work brings together 19 essays and 36 poems and short fiction pieces to help readers reframe and re-examine American history and what it means to be a Black American.

The Library has four print copies of the book and an ebook. You can check out the books here at the library, check out the book at your public library, or purchase the book separately. You do not have to read the book to participate in the discussions; there is plenty of additional content available at the library’s 1619 research guide.

Format of the Discussions and Zoom links

Three discussion sessions are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday afternoons (1:30-2:30) in February:

• Wednesday February 23 Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82074831066
• Monday February 28 Zoom meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87342470279

Each of the three discussion sessions will focus on a particular idea of the book, as opposed to specific essays or works. This allows for more people to participate in the discussion, regardless of whether or not they have read the whole book.

Artist Hernease Davis: Self-Care Through the Artistic Process

Tuesday, March 1, 5:30 p.m., Heineman Ecumenical Center

Hernease Davis is a photo-based artist using photograms, cyanotypes, and craft to emphasize self-care through the artistic process. She has been shaping her practice into a psychological space where she may safely confront emotional scars, respond to visceral impulses, and grow in acceptance of the imperfections inherent in the material process. The exhibition opening starts in the Mazmanian Gallery at 4:30 p.m. and then the lecture will be conducted in the Heineman Ecumenical Center at 5:30 p.m.

School Vacation Day Program Special

NEW AT THE MCAULIFFE CENTER

Thursday Feb. 24th

Group 1 - 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Group 2 - 2 to 5:30 p.m.

Grades 6-8: $35 per participant

A one-day program for individual participants to engage in space mission simulations in the Challenger Learning Center! Participants are immersed in a simulated space environment where they manipulate equipment, conduct experiments, solve problems, and work together in real-world STEM contexts. The mission simulation is complemented by a full-dome film in the FSU planetarium and hands-on science activities related to the James Webb Space Telescope mission.

Study Abroad Events

“When I was a Student Abroad” – Conversations with FSU Faculty about their International Experience
Weds, Feb 23rd at 1:30
McCarthy Center—Alumni Room
Join us for an informal conversation with Dr. Sandy Hartwiger and Dr. Bart Brinkman about their experiences having studied abroad.

Info Session: Hidden Gems & Places You’ve Never Heard Of
Weds, March 2nd at 1:30pm
McCarthy Center—1839 Room
The world is a big place with lots of extraordinary destinations for study abroad. Come learn about some of our off-the-beaten-path destinations.

IAFSA Student Scholarship Opportunities

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA) has more than 32 different scholarships available to students. The deadline to apply is March 15th.

To learn more and download an application, visit

https://alumnihouse.org/students/scholarships/universal-scholarship-application/

Campus Sustainability Events and Opportunities

To join the campus sustainability email list for event reminders and Zoom links for the monthly meetings, visit: https://forms.office.com/r/fWeT8CVHdw

As always, please reach out to me at mmayer1@framinghma.edu if you have any ideas for collaboration, concerns, questions, etc.

Megan (Lehnerd) Mayer, PhD
Assistant Professor
Campus Sustainability Coordinator

Upcoming Events/Opportunities:

• Campus Sustainability & Climate Justice Conversations
Last Monday of the month, Starting in February (2/28, 3/28, & 4/25), 1:30pm on Zoom.
All members of the FSU community are welcome to join! Sign up using the link in the first paragraph to be added to the dedicated campus sustainability email list and to receive the Zoom link for the meetings.

• Sustainability Inventory
It’s time again to update the inventory of sustainability work being done by our faculty and staff in their classes, scholarship, and community engagement. Please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey by Friday, February 25th if you believe that your teaching, scholarship, and/or community engagement is linked in any way to social, economic, or environmental sustainability: https://framingham.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9T42RYTdEOeboZo

8 Billion Angels Film Screening and Filmmaker Talk, Hosted by the Green Initiative Club and the Framingham High School Environmental Club
Wednesday, March 23rd, 4:30pm, on campus at FSU, location TBD

Today, humanity’s demand for resources vastly exceeds nature’s ability to supply them…8 Billion Angels tells the truth about the conflict between the size of our global population and the sustainability of our planet. It dispels the misconception that technology can save us, that reducing consumption is the answer, and that the blame lies solely in the developing world.

• Global Teach-In on Climate Justice
March 30, 2022, in your classroom
12:30 – 1:30 pm Discussion for FSU Employees hosted on Zoom by Katelyn Christopher and Megan Mayer

Framingham State University is joining Bard College and hundreds of other colleges, universities, and community groups for the Worldwide Teach-in on Climate. We will focus our teach-in on Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass. Book themes include many different topics – indigenous ways of knowing, environmentalism, ethics, consumerism, and story-telling – and the text is a great complement to courses taught in all departments at FSU. We have free access to the book through the Whittemore Library.

The goal of the teach-in is to have as many faculty as possible focusing their class lessons on climate justice on March 30, 2022. If you don’t have class on March 30th, we encourage you to choose another day that week to discuss climate justice and indigenous perspectives in relationship to your course topic.

To get involved and prepare for the teach-in, we encourage you to engage in the following:
• Attend Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s event on Feb. 9th at 4:30pm (registration link above)
• Sign up here to join the Teach-In to receive more info, resources, and the link to our teach-in planning meeting on Monday, March 7th from 4:30 – 5:30pm on Zoom. It will be recorded if you are unable to attend.

Megan Mayer and Katelyn Christopher also will be hosting a Braiding Sweetgrass discussion group for FSU staff, librarians, and others not in classrooms on March 30, 2022 at 12:30 – 1:30pm. This will be an opportunity to engage with your colleagues to discuss the book, whether you were able to attend the previous semester’s discussion group or not. We will provide some book excerpts to review before the event to help you prepare for the discussion. FSU Employees can sign up for the discussion here.

• Earth Day Event
Thursday, April 22nd, more details to come!

Spanish Language Table

An informal meeting with Spanish faculty, majors, and minors to practice Spanish and make connections. Special guests on assigned dates. Meetings at the Dining Commons, 5:30-630pm.
Contact Professor Everton Vargas da Costa for more information: evargasdacosta@framingham.edu
See schedule below:

February 22 (with Prof Patricia Sanchez-Connally - Sociology)
March 8
March 22 (with Prof Mirari Elcoro - Psychology)
April 12
April 26 (Special Guest TBD)

Career Services Events

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:

2/23 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Granite Telecommunications
2/23 Noon - 1:30 PM Talbots
3/9 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Uncommon Schools
3/9 Noon - 1:30 PM Barton Associates
3/23 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Brandon Residential Treatment Center
3/23 Noon - 1:30 PM ScribeAmerica

Suitable Solutions Career Professionalism Program
Ongoing—Spring 2022 Semester
The Suitable Solutions Career Professionalism Program is a multi-part professional career development series designed to prepare students for the internship & job search and the interview process. Students are educated about career professionalism, soft skills, social awareness, professional dress, and networking techniques to enhance their career opportunities. Upon completion of the series students will be awarded a Macy’s Gift card to purchase a professional outfit ($100 limit). This initiative will benefit ALL students for all majors. Learn the professional skills that employers want.

Spring Job and Internship Fair
Thursday, March 31, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., MC Forum
Come to this great in-person networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available. Over 30 employers from the business, retail, insurance, non-profits, human services, banking, finance, STEM, health & wellness fields will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log into your HANDSHAKE account to view full list of organizations.

Suitable Solutions Career Advice Professionalism Panel Event
Tuesday, April 12, 12 noon– 1:30 p.m., MC Forum
OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS -As part of the Spring 2022 Suitable Solutions
Program, all students are invited to come to this event to help prepare for the world of professional work. Learn about the soft skills that employers say are imperative for emerging professionals. The goal of the Career Advice Professionalism Panel is to give the students a current and accurate picture of local labor market and hiring considerations across multiple industries.

Enterprise On-Campus Interview Day
Tuesday, April 12, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MC 412
Pre-Registration is required for all interviews through HANDSHAKE for:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Management Trainee - Cape Cod area

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Management Trainee - Greater Worcester area

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Management Trainee - Greater Boston Area

For more information, call the CSER Office at 508-626-4625.


MERC Education Fair
Thursday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Boston University
Come to the largest education fair in New England. Over 120 school
systems and agencies attend! This annual recruiting event brings together teaching candidates and school systems from across the country for networking and job opportunities in public/private schools. The 2022 MERC Education Career Fair is FREE and open to candidates in education and related fields (teaching, administration, school counseling/psychology, occupational therapy, social work, speech-language, etc). Licensure is not required to participate.

Must register at: www.merccareerfair.com.

Save the Dates - Accepted Student Receptions

The University will hold its Accepted Student Receptions on Saturday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

Notable Accomplishments

-Dr. Thomas Koshy, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics has three articles published this month:

1. "Infinite Sums Involving Jacobsthal Polynomial Products Revisited," The Fibonacci Quarterly, 60:1 (2022), 3-14.

2. "Products Involving Reciprocals of Gibonacci Polynomials," The Fibonacci Quarterly, 60:1 (2022), 15-24.

3. "Products Involving Reciprocals of Jacobsthal Polynomials," The Fibonacci Quarterly, 60:1 (2022), 72-81.

Upcoming events

Women's Lacrosse vs Fitchburg State

Saturday, March 30, 2024

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Maple Street Field

Organized by: Athletics

Baseball vs Albertus Magnus

Monday, April 1, 2024

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Bowditch Field Athletic & Cultural Complex

Organized by: Athletics

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