Campus Currents

April 4, 2022

Artist Aram Han Sifuentes

Talk Back to Power!

April 5, at 4:30 p.m.

Aram Han Sifuentes is a Korean American social practice fiber artist, writer, curator, and an adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Sifuentes will give a talk and workshop about how art can disrupt, unsettle, and rupture dominant narrative to assert, demand, and claim spaces for those who are commonly othered, particularly for immigrants of color.

The Arthur Nolletti Jr. Film Series: The Breadwinner

The Arthur Nolletti Jr. Film Series: The Breadwinner
April 11, 2022, 7 p.m., In-Person - McCarthy Center Forum

After young Parvana's father is imprisoned, she bravely finds a way to support her family despite Taliban restrictions on women. This 2017 animated film will hold you spellbound! The movie will play in the Forum. FSU and MetroWest communities are welcome to join the movie viewing and discussion.

National Library Week

RAMS,
Celebrate National Library Week at the Whittemore Library! Many thanks to our new Student Engagement Coordinator, Kathleen, for organizing the events this year, the terrific Library staff, and all of you participating in this year’s NLW.

All Week:
Art Exhibit: Stop by and see artwork and crafts by Framingham State University Faculty, Staff, and Student Workers. Works will be displayed in the cases on the first floor.

Monday 4/4/22: Student Workers Appreciation Day 12pm-2pm
Join us in saying a big thank you to all our student workers at the library! Cake will be served in the library lobby from 12pm-2pm (or until we run out). Make sure to stop by and help us show our student workers how awesome they are!

Tuesday 4/5/22: Create a Virtual Read Poster 12pm-2pm
Show your love for reading by creating a virtual Read Poster! We will have a green screen set up in the library lobby to take pictures, and with a little library magic, we will turn them into a Read Poster. Posters will be shared on the library’s social media, so make sure you follow us at @whittemorelib so you can see your photo. If you can’t make it, send me a picture of you holding your favorite book!

Wednesday 4/6/22: Reiki in the Renew Space 10am-1pm
Need a break? Join Reiki Master Susan Clark from We Heal From Within for a fifteen minute Reiki session in our Rams Renew Space. Space is limited and sign up is required. You can book your session at https://framingham.libcal.com/calendar/WhittemoreEvents.

Thursday 4/7/22: 12th Annual Literary Cake Decorating Contest 9am-12:30pm
Combine your sweet tooth and your love of books with the Whittemore Library’s 12th annual Literary Cake Decorating Contest! Choose a favorite book and bake up a storm. All cakes should be submitted for display and judging by 9am on Thursday morning. Winners will be announced at 12:30pm! For more information, contact Colleen Previte at cprevite@framingham.edu.

Friday 4/8/22: Librarian Research and Publication Presentation 11am
Come join Whittemore librarians Sandra Rothenberg, Hedda Monaghan, and Karin Medin as they discuss their recent research and publications. Our librarians have a variety of research interests to share with our community. Join us on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83262387139.

Mazmanian Gallery Student Capstone Exhibitions

Capstone Exhibitions

Exhibition One: April 5 - 11 with a reception April 5th, 4:30-6:00pm

Exhibition Two: April 21 - 27 with a reception April 26th, 4:30-6:00pm

Exhibition Three: May 2 - 8 with a reception May 3rd, 4:30-6:00pm

Studio Art and Graphic Design majors in The Department of Art & Music at Framingham State University are immersed in a collaborative, innovative and interdisciplinary learning environment, which focuses on academic excellence in the areas of visual art, design, and art history. The Capstone Experience is designed to support students to work intensively on creating a cohesive body of work in their chosen concentration. Throughout their final year of study students receive feedback on this work from their peers, faculty, and professionals in the field. The degree culminates with a public exhibition in Mazmanian Gallery.

Community Stargazing

Monday, April 11, Stop by any time between 7:30PM - 8:30PM
Outside in O’Connor Lot by Maynard Road
Cloud Date: Tuesday, April 12

Participants of all ages are invited to join us for stargazing!

Outside in the O’Connor Parking Lot, use telescopes to observe the Moon, Pleiades, Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and Beehive Cluster while McAuliffe Center staff are available to answer your questions about telescopes and our Universe.

“Beyond an Imagined Community”: FSU faculty discuss the war in Ukraine

By Branden LaCroix, publications intern

On Feb. 24, Russian military forces pushed across the eastern border of Ukraine in a full-scale invasion, an event that has arrested the attention of the world.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 3.8 million refugees have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries as of March 27.

With images and news stories of the violence and destruction appearing every day in the media, questions have arisen asking why this is happening and what happens next.

“It’s clear that there is a hunger in our community … to understand more about what’s going on,” said Stefan Papaioannou, professor of history.

Papaioannou hosted a webinar March 23 with a panel of FSU faculty to discuss the ongoing war and the history between Russia and Ukraine to provide context and to help “make sense of what is often called ‘senseless violence.’”

History professor Nicholas Racheotes began his discussion by presenting both the Ukrainian and Russian points of view to the conflict.

He explained that Ukrainians believe they “have an understanding of their own dignity that speaks to and addresses their sovereignty.”

However, Racheotes said the Russian side of the argument is Ukraine’s lack of “a history of independence,” which they claim makes it Russian territory, and that by “seeking Western ties,” Ukraine is attempting to “ally itself with the immorality of Western individualism.

“I deliberately put this [the invasion] in a provocative way in order to provoke discussion,” he said, “and in order to get you to see that, although we may be deeply troubled by the nationalist and Eurasian point of view of the Russians, it is still a point of view.”

Political science professor Thomas Wood discussed the invasion in the context of Soviet and post-Soviet history.

Wood said, after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, many former-Soviet states such as Ukraine faced a “massive crisis” of “state identity” and “political legitimacy.”

But over the past few decades, while many former-Soviet countries have maintained close relations with Russia, Ukraine becoming a democracy and by seeking entrance into the European Union made it “the number one target for [President Vladimir] Putin’s aggression.”

English professor Alexander Hartwiger discussed the “humanitarian toll” of the war in Ukraine and the “industry around refugee representation.”

He explained the problem of “humanitarian commodification and consumption,” and said, “When we talk about refugees, there can be a tendency to abstract the realities and not recognize their humanity and the unimaginable circumstances they are in.”

Hartwiger said there are “uneven experiences” of non-Ukrainian refugees, including citizens of Nigeria, India, and Lebanon who are “stuck” attempting to flee Ukraine, due to extra obstacles and restrictions not faced by Ukrainian nationals.

“When we are engaging with the representation of the refugee crisis, we have to understand that there are subsets in these populations that are also enduring special circumstances based on their background and nationality,” he said.

Toward the end of the discussion, Racheotes addressed the “question of mutually-assured destruction” if the U.S. were to intervene in the war. “There’s no way of knowing,” he said.
He added if there is anything to prevent it, “It might be the fact that, if anyone were reckless enough to give the order … it would be the people in the Strategic Air Command and the Russian counterpart who would say, ‘We’re not doing this. We’re not going to be the first strike.’”

Miriam Levine Reading: Enzo Silon Suran '00

Tuesday, April 19, 4:30 p.m.
Heineman Ecumenical Center

The FSU English Department is excited to invite back to campus our talented alumnus, Enzo Silon Surin '00! Enzo is a Haitian-born award-winning writer, poet, educator, publisher, and social advocate. He is the author of three collections of poetry, including When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press, 2020), winner of the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Award for Poetry, and the chapbook, A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto (Central Square Press 2017), as well as the co-editor of Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (Cherry Castle Publishing, 2022).

Enzo's work gives voice to experiences that take place in what he calls "broken spaces."

Co-sponsored by the FSU English Department, the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and the Center for Inclusive Excellence, this year's event is made possible in part through a grant from the University's Council on Diversity & Inclusion.

Contact Dr. Lisa Eck for more information: leck@framingham.edu

Earth Day Festival

Framingham Earth Day Festival Celebrates with an Actionable and Interactive Event for the Whole Family!
Tenth Annual Event Comes To Center Common on April 23rd
(Rain date Saturday, April 30th)

The 2022 Framingham Earth Day Festival will offer an entertaining, educational, and family-friendly environment where participants can learn about living a more sustainable, earth-friendly lifestyle. This year’s festival will showcase the diverse organizations that embrace the vibrant environmental community in the city of Framingham.

The festivities run from 11AM until 3PM on Saturday, April 23rd, on the Framingham Centre Common, situated between Edgell Rd and Vernon St. Join us to learn about ways to make sustainable choices, conserve energy, support local businesses, and of course, reduce, reuse and recycle, all while having a great time with your friends and neighbors!

In addition to a variety of environmentally focused exhibitors, this year’s festival will include:

• HANDS ON LEARNING for all Ages: Local organizations will be offering educational and actionable take-aways empowering all attendees to living a more sustainable lifestyle! Kids activities too!
• RECYCLING: On The Common: Bring: Cell phones,CDs, Batteries (all kinds), inkjet and toner cartridges, eyeglasses, contact lenses, Fluorescent light bulbs and other Mercury products and single use plastic bags! At First Parish Church parking lot : Drop off: Electronics Recycling (various fees)
• ART: Participate in an interactive, environmental art exhibit from local artist, Karen Alzayer, for all ages to experience.
• ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy live music and presentations from local bands and environmental experts.
• BYO FOOD!: This year, we are encouraging everyone to either purchase food from the local restaurants near the common, or bring their own meals in reusable containers. We will have a community gathering area to sit, eat and connect with neighbors. There will be an opportunity to share your favorite picnic recipes and to be a part of our 2022 Framingham Earth Day cookbook (post-event).
• FREE MWRTA transportation To/From Downtown and the Common.

More details on exhibitors, entertainment, recycling, and free transportation will be updated regularly at our website: www.framinghamearthday.org

Career Services Events

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.

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.

Upcoming events

Baseball vs Bridgewater State

Thursday, March 28, 2024

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Bowditch Field Athletic & Cultural Complex

Organized by: Athletics

Women's Lacrosse vs Fitchburg State

Saturday, March 30, 2024

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Maple Street Field

Organized by: Athletics

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