Campus Currents

March 4, 2020 at 1:30 p.m., Forum, McCarthy Center

Keisha Greaves is an alumna of Framingham State and the founder of Girls Chronically Rock. She offers inspired fashion celebrating those with chronic illnesses. Greaves, who has a form of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), states that her goal is to motivate "people who may have a chronic illness like myself or may be battling anything in their life, to let them know that they rock no matter what.”

By Thomas Maye, Publications Intern

Stigmatizing weight may be the worst way to discourage obesity, Dr. Rebecca Puhl told a nearly full house of students and professors in the McCarthy Center Forum on February 24.

Puhl, presenting 15 years of research findings in “Weight Stigma in American Society: Public Health Consequences and Structural Solutions,” said discrimination often starts early in childhood. Parents shame children for their weight, bullies weaponize it more than any other insult, and children’s media typecasts overweight characters as lazy and immoral, she said.

Through adulthood, these pervasive prejudices radiate into nearly every sphere of life, from getting treated by a doctor to finding and keeping a job.

“We see considerable evidence of weight discrimination in the workplace at virtually every stage of the employment cycle, from getting hired to getting fired,” said Puhl, who is Deputy Director for the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity and Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut.

And yet, along with her research team, Puhl found the prevailing culture of shame in American society only made people facing weight-based discrimination more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors.

She said, “This is something that’s raised eyebrows and caught people’s attention, because it challenges broader societal perceptions that maybe stigma’s not such a bad thing, [that] maybe it will motivate people to lose weight, [or] maybe it will provide incentives for weight loss. But what we see, in the science, is that the opposite is true.”

For such a prevalent issue, which FSU sociology professor Ira Silver said before the talk “rarely comes up when we talk about discrimination and inequality,” there are no simple, singular solutions.

But Puhl added her team’s research has made significant strides finding ways to address the issue - and that attitudes are already beginning to change.

The researchers found obese and overweight patients often turned away from receiving medical attention after feeling discriminated or shamed for their weight. However, they saw this patient turnover lessened when doctors minimized accusatory statements and used neutral, inoffensive words to describe weight.

Meanwhile, the image database Puhl’s team built of overweight individuals engaging in healthy behaviors, rather than in an embarrassing or unflattering light, have already been utilized by outlets like National Geographic and Time Magazine to reduce media stigmas.

There’s a long way to go. She said “there are no federal laws preventing weight discrimination,” and that many administrators overlook fat shaming when it comes to bullying in schools, among other issues.

Puhl said change has been effective when viewing discrimination through a sociological model effecting many different aspects of life. “When we look at efforts to reduce weight-stigma, efforts at the individual level have had limited success.”

What I think we really need is long-term stigma reduction at every level of this model.”

Artist Talk March 4, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., North Hall Commons Room
Gallery exhibit: Mazmanian Gallery - Feb. 24 - March 20

Mazmanian Gallery presents a solo exhibition of Gina Siepel’s artwork, which explores cultural understandings of nature, gender, and American history. This exhibit focuses on the relationship between humans and nature in eastern North America, and includes the artist’s current work-in-progress (untitled)Tree, a process-based artist and scientist collaboration.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - Alumni Room, 5-7pm

Toward the end of Framingham State’s Mission Statement, there is a significant but underexamined phrase, “global citizen.” FSU purports to cultivate “thoughtful, responsible local and global citizens,” but what does that mean in practice? Professor Sandy Hartwiger will take up this question in the first half of his Lyceum talk in order to engage with the concept of global citizenship within the context of higher education, particularly at FSU, before moving into a discussion of the ways in which contemporary world literature pushes the boundaries of the idea of global citizenship to reimagine the concept outside of the context of neoliberal globalization.

March 12, 2020 at 4:30 p.m., Heineman Ecumenical Center

Dr. Nicholas Racheotes (History, Emeritus) will discuss his book, The Life & Thought of Filaret Drozdov, 1782-1867 The Thorny Path to Sainthood, and Dr. Xavier Guadalupe-Diaz (Sociology) will discuss his book, Transgressed.

March 24, 2020 at 4:30 p.m., Heineman Ecumenical Center

Author Grace Talusan will read from her memoir The Body Papers. A searing account of childhood sexual abuse, the book also delves into Talusan's background as a Filipino immigrant and a cancer survivor and the ways in which these experiences are linked by vulnerability and personal strength. Recipient of the 2017 Restless Book Prize for New Immigrant Writing, she teaches in the Boston area.

Black and Gold Beginnings 2020

Call for programs! We are currently receiving program proposals for the 2020 Black and Gold Beginnings program. Black and Gold Beginnings is our annual welcome program for new students at the University. This year our program runs August 29 through September 1, 2020.

Whether you wish to have an open house, an information table, or host an event, please complete this proposal form:
https://ramlink.framingham.edu/submitter/form/start/384528

Questions? Email Rachel Lucking, rlucking@framingham.edu.

Pre-Schoolers, this one’s for you! The Stellar Nursery is back with another night of stories and stars. First, we’ll host a read-aloud from the classic children’s book Morning, Noon, and Night. In this beautifully-illustrated book, lyrical prose from Newbery-medalist Jean Craighead George, and vibrant paintings by Wendell Minor invite the reader to greet each part of the day as the Earth turns toward, and away, from the Sun. On each page, we'll also meet different animals that are active during different parts of the day. After the book, our young guests will get a chance to participate in a short planetarium program that's just right for them.

Wednesday Employer Showcase Series, McCarthy Campus Center Lobby, 9:00AM – 6:00PM:
Employers showcase their organization every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center lobby by the Welcome Desk. Their goal is to network with FSU students and recruit students for full time or internship opportunities. Stop by their table in order to learn more!

Mar 4
9am-12pm: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities & F45 Training Natick
12pm–3pm: Bank of America & The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
3pm-6pm: US Census 2020 & The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

TUES
Mar 10
10am-1:30pm: MetroWest YMCA Career Day

Mar 11
9am-12pm: The Massachusetts State Police & Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
12pm-3pm: Cloud International & Farrington Nature Linc

Mar 25
9am-12pm: McAdam Financially Advanced & The Primrose School of Natick
12pm-3pm: RCS Learning Center & UNIQLO
3pm-6pm: US Census 2020

Apr 1
9am-12pm: Ashland Public Schools & Southborough Youth and Family Services
12pm-3pm: Wayland Public Schools & Little Flippers Swim School

Apr 8
12pm-3pm: College Nannies, Sitters, and Tutors

Apr 15
12pm-3pm: Mini Miracles Early Education Center & the Springfield Public Schools

Apr 22
12pm-3pm: Booster Enterprises

Apr 29
12pm-3pm: Housing Management Resources

Majors Going Mobile, Every Tuesday, through May 6, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., MC Lobby
The Career Services office showcases different majors and minors every Tuesday in the McCarthy Center lobby by the
Welcome Desk. The goal is to be available to FSU students who may have questions about their major and/or would like to have more information about which careers and internships might be available to them in their major. Stop by the table in order to learn more.

YMCA Career Day, Tuesday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m., McCarthy Center Lobby
Learn about the many job and internship opportunities with the MetroWest YMCA. Meet with Y recruiters and have all your questions answered.

How to Find an Internship Workshops, Wednesdays, 3/11, 4/8 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., MC Alumni Room
This is an interactive workshop where students gain insight into the process of internship search strategies including: self-inventory, preparation process, resume reviews, professional attire, mock interviewing, professional references, the search process, HANDSHAKE, CSER events, networking, and how to apply.

Connection Employer Site Visit, Friday, March 13, 10:30 a.m., 293 Boston Post Road, Marlborough
All majors welcome. Limited transportation provided. Call CSER for more information and to pre-register at 508-626-4625.

CHOICE Internship Info Table, 3/9, 3/23, 3/30, 12 p.m.—2:00 p.m., MC Lobby

Prepare for the Fair, Monday, March 23, 4:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m., Foster Hall Room 102
Are you looking for something professional to wear to the TWO Spring Job & Internship Fairs? Come to “The Closet”! Free gently used clothing and accessories await you. There will also be networking guides, resource folders, and how to dress tips

NEW: TWO DATES for the Spring Job and Internship Fairs:

Wednesday, March 25, 4:30 p.m.– 6:00 p.m., MC Forum
Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available. Over 30 employers from the business, retail, insurance, staffing, banking, finance, STEM, health & wellness fields will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log onto your HANDSHAKE account to view full list of organizations.

Thursday, March 26, 4:30 p.m.– 6:00 p.m., MC Forum
Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available. Over 25 employers from the education, human services, non-profit, and community fields will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log onto your HANDSHAKE account to view full list of organizations.

Suitable Solutions Mock Interview and Networking Day, Thursday, April 9, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., MC Forum
*Must be enrolled in the Suitable Solutions Professionalism Program. Students practice interviewing and receive feedback from professionals!

Suitable Solutions Mocktail Mixer Networking Event & Graduation, Tuesday, April 14, 5:15-7:00 p.m., MC Forum
Network with over 50 employer partners while learning about proper networking techniques and etiquette while enjoying food and “mock” tails!
Open to all students and all majors! Must pre-register through Handshake. Contact the CSER Office for more information at 508-626-4625.

MERC Education Fair, Thursday, April 23, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., at Boston University
Come to the largest education fair in New England - Over 100 school systems and agencies attend! Save the date for this annual recruiting event that brings together teaching candidates and school systems across the country for networking and job opportunities in public/private schools. Must register at: www.merccareerfair.com. Limited transportation will be provided. Must pre-register for the van by calling the CSER Office at 508-626-4625.