Programs and Events
Spring 2011 Calendar of ODCA Sponsored Events
2011 Spring Events Sponsored by
The Office of the Vice President for
Diversity and Community Affairs
Our mission is to establish Teachers College as an institution that actively attracts, supports and retains diverse students, faculty and staff at all levels, demonstrated through its commitment to social justice, its respectful and vibrant community and its encouragement and support of each individual in the achievement of his or her full potential.
Janice S. Robinson, Esq., Vice President, Office for Diversity and Community Affairs, 128 Zankel,
www.tc.columbia.edu/diversity/
(Below is an initial list of events and programs sponsored and cosponsored by our office)
Please watch for future postings as more details become available
and future events are planned.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE BELOW.)
The Vice President's Grant for Student Research in Diversity (SRD)
Request for Proposals: For instructions, go to this website.
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/diversity/
Deadline: Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 3:00pm
(including (8) paper copies and an electronic copy)
SRD Grant Description and Application 2010 - 2011
Description and Eligibility
The President's Community and Diversity Grant Fund is sponsoring a GRANT FOR STUDENT RESEARCH IN DIVERSITY for matriculating Teachers College (TC) students (M.A., M.S., Ed.M., or doctoral).
The $3,000 award provides support for two outstanding student research projects related to diversity. Proposals should be for the initiation or completion of a research project involving diversity-related issues. Upon the completion of a research project, the recipient will be invited to share the results with the TC community either by delivering a lecture or sharing a published report.
The one-year research grant is available for two outstanding projects focusing on diversity in research, teaching, learning, or community building. The goal is to encourage and support students' projects in diversity-related issues that enhance research, teaching, learning, and/or community building.
Diversity in the context of this award program is broadly defined and includes the exploration of multiple perspectives involving for example culture(s), language(s), gender, sexual orientation, race-ethnicity, disabilities.
All proposals with supporting documents must be submitted to:
Adrianna Maldonado, Graduate Intern
Office of the Vice President for Diversity & Community Affairs
Teachers College, Columbia University
Room 128 Zankel, Box 220
525 West 120th Street
(212) 678-3294
Knitting & Crocheting Group Series
First Session: February 1st – March 29th, 2011, Every Tuesday from 12-1pm, 535 Grace Dodge (except Tuesday, March 15th);
Second Session: April 5th – May 31st, 2011, Every Tuesday from 12-1pm, 535 Grace Dodge (except Tuesday, May 17th).
Join us for this weekly gathering of knitting and crochet. Part class, part social time, it’s a wonderful opportunity for beginners to learn about the art of knitting and crocheting, and for those who are experienced to perfect their skills. Bring your own supplies if you have them. If you’d like to purchase supplies at the first session, the cost for materials will be $15 (knitting needles, crochet hook, yarn). The group is limited to 20 participants.
The TC Allies Reading Group
Thursday, February 3, 2011, 5:30 PM, Whittier Cafe
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Laura Smith, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education
Cosponsor: Counseling and Clinical Psychology Department
The TC Allies Reading Group is designed to bring together staff, faculty, and students around common texts focused on privilege and/or whiteness. The initiative seeks to utilize a book club format as a springboard for discussion and critique of privilege, and as a means of bring together faculty, staff and students.
TCSOL Open House and Chinese New Year Celebration
February 4, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, 179 Grace Dodge
Hosted by the TCSOL Certificate Program at Teachers College
Celebrating the Chinese New Year and provide the TCSOL community, friends, and prospective students with networking opportunities.
Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do
Monday, February 7, 2011, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Milbank Chapel
The Office for Diversity & Community Affairs presents:
A Book Talk and Signing by Dr. Claude Steele, Provost of
Co-Sponsored by the Office of the Provost at Teachers College, The Higher and Postsecondary Education Program, Gottesman Libraries, and the Black Student Network. Reception to follow.
Expanding Access to Learning: Possibilities and Challenges for Higher Education in Urban, 21st Century
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Anna Neumann, Professor of Higher Education
Cosponsor: Higher and Post-secondary Education Program
The Teachers College Higher and Postsecondary Education (HPSE) lecture series extends the conversations and activities that are currently alive in the HPSE program regarding concerns about diversity and access to learning to the entire TC and
Monday, February 7, 2011, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Milbank Chapel
A Book Talk and Signing by Dr. Claude Steele, Provost of
Co-Sponsored by the Office of the Provost at Teachers College, The Higher and Postsecondary Education Program, Gottesman Libraries, and the Black Student Network. Reception to follow.
Thursday, February 24, 2011, 3 PM, Room 306 Russell Hall, Gottesman Library
Panel Presentation: Increasing Access to Higher Education: Barriers and Strategies
Achieving Wider Access to Higher Education Project,
Co-sponsored the Gottesman Libraries.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 3 PM. Room 306 Russell Hall, Gottesman Library
Panel Presentation: Liberal Learning in High Access Urban Higher Education Institutions
Professor Anna Neumann, Ms. Milagros Castillo & Ms. Liza Bolitzer
Higher & Postsecondary Education Program, Teachers College,
Co-sponsored by the Gottesman Libraries.
The Brown Bag Meditation Series
Wednesdays and Fridays, Winter/Spring Semester, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM, 535 Grace Dodge
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
You are invited to 20-30 minutes of guided meditation twice per week. Beginners are welcome. Facilitators: Nathan Baptiste, Joe Levitan, Sarah Sherman, Samantha Snowden, Franziska Stutz, Mili Thomas. The Brown Bag Meditation Series offers the opportunity to reduce stress and take a break from academic work, grades, publishing, and work productivity to refocus and invigorate students, faculty, and staff to return to their tasks refreshed and renewed. Members of the TC community will be invited to participate in 20-30 minutes of guided meditation sessions twice each week. They will sit, relax and focus on their breathing. At the end of the sessions all attendees will have the opportunity to debrief and share their experiences with the group.
New Employee and Faculty Orientation Series- Spring 2011
The Vice President’s Office for Diversity and Community Affairs presents
The New Employee and Faculty Orientation Series in Four Parts:
Part I: An Introduction to Teachers College
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 177-179 Grace Dodge
Welcome to TC! This is the introductory session of the Orientation Series
Part II: Promoting Mutual Respect and Preventing Workplace Harassment Mandatory
Friday, February 18, 2011, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 229 Thompson
An interactive session created to promote awareness of laws and institutional procedures about sexual harassment, anti-discrimination, and other forms of bias and harassment.
Part III: Information Privacy Compliance Training: FERPA (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act) & Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Mandatory
Friday, March 4, 2011, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 229 Thompson
Learn about FERPA and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
Part IV: Cultural and Racial Microaggressions Workshop for Faculty and Staff
Thursday, March 10, 2011, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 229 Thompson
Discover how brief and commonplace daily verbal and behavioral indignities can have a huge impact on others.
Latino/a & Latin American Faculty, Staff and Student Unity Dinner
Friday, February 11, 2011, 5:30pm- 7:30pm, 179 Grace Dodge
Cosponsored by the Latino/a Faculty Working Group, Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), and Coalition of
An opportunity for dinner and networking across constituencies.
Fostering Social Action Through Social Issue Media
Films must be submitted by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 (DEADLINE EXTENDED)
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Lalitha Vasudevan, Assistant Professor of Technology and Education
Cosponsor: Program in Communication, Computing, and Technology in Education
CALLING ALL PARTICIPANTS!
It's here again~
3 Minute Media presents the Second Annual Teachers College Social Issue Media Festival. The festival is an opportunity for you to voice your opinions on a social issue of your choice.
What is Social Issue Media?For the purposes of this festival, we are referring to digital, multimedia artifacts (e.g., video, audio podcast, digital story) that call attention to a social issue with the intention of evoking social action.
How do you participate?
-Open to anyone (If you are under 18 years old, parent permission is required)
-Films must be submitted by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 (DEADLINE EXTENDED)
-Films are between 2-3 minutes in length
All entries are eligible for jury awards. For entry form, guidelines, and more information, please visit us at http://www.socialissuemediafest.org/ or email us at 3MinuteMedia@gmail.com
Bi- and Multilingualism in Young Children: Supporting Families, Cultivating Linguistic Diversity
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
RSVP by February 4, 2011 by contacting Kaydie Milks at milks@tc.edu or 212-678-3013. The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center
How can families encourage their children’s language and social development while also supporting their children to acquire a home language(s) alongside English?The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center (RGC) serves the Teachers College and
RGC is co-sponsoring a session to address this commitment by sharing knowledge about bilingual children’s language development and discussing this common interest among families in the Teachers College community. A panel with particular expertise and scholarly interest in emergent bilingualism will highlight current research and practice concerning bi- and multilingual young children from early emergent language development through the kindergarten transition. The program will be followed by light fare where participants can continue conversations sparked by the panel discussion.
Panelists include:
§ CELIA GENISHI is a Professor of Education in the Curriculum & Teaching Department. Her scholarly interests include early childhood education, language in the classroom, qualitative research, and childhood bilingualism.
§ victoria Hunt is an assistant principal at PS 75 on the upper west side, which offers a dual language elementary school program. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education at Teachers College. She was a teacher in a Dual Language elementary school.
§ PATRICIA MARTINEZ is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of International & Transcultural Studies. She has expertise in literacy and developing and assessing students’ bi-literacy development.
§ MARIANA SOUTO-MANNING is Associate Professor of Education in the department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College. She has expertise in teaching and learning in bilingual, multicultural settings, and her research focuses on building deeper understandings of linguistic and cultural diversity in the field of early childhood education, providing windows into the educational practices of young children and families.
§ MARIA TORRES-GUZMAN is Professor in the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Program, Department of International & Transcultural Studies Department of Languages, Literature and Social Studies at Teachers College. She has expertise in the intersection of culture and language in the classroom and in society. She examines how teachers deal with the issues of language and culture within strong bilingual education models; how parents support their children both linguistically and culturally, and how the linguocultural spaces are created.
“Discovering Your Leadership Strengths”
First Session, Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 6:00 PM -8:00 PM, 179 Grace Dodge
Second Session Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 179 Grace Dodge
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Cosponsored by the Organization & Human Development Consulting Club (OHDCC) and Organization and Leadership Association (OLA)
Session 1 - Personal Leadership and Self-Awareness
Session 2 - Leading Through Change and Transition
*Sessions 3 and 4 have not yet been confirmed.
RSVP to springleadershipsummit.myevent.com
The “Discovering Your Leadership Strengths”
A Conversation with the Ombudsman – Open House for Students
(and Members of the TC Community)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 4:00 – 5:30 PM, 306 Russell
College Ombudsman Erwin Flaxman will meet with TC students, and other members of the community, for an informal dialogue and to answer questions. Light Refreshments Served
African Diaspora Cine-Club Movie Screening
Friday, Feb. 25, 6:00pm, 263 Macy
Based on old legends, the film depicts a fictional agricultural community in an isolated part of Curaçao at the turn of the century. The central theme of the film is the struggle between creative and destructive forces. In the
Friday, March 24, 6:00pm, 263 Macy
Sara Gomez, An Afro-Cuban Filmmaker, Alessandra Muller
Cuba/Switzerland | 2005, Spanish with English subtitles
Documentary; 76 Minutes
Where is Sara Gomez? is a rich, multilayered documentary about Afro-Cuban director Sarah Gomez. Born in 1943, she studied literature, piano, and Afro-Cuban ethnography before becoming the first female Cuban filmmaker. A woman of great intelligence, independence and generosity, she was a revolutionary filmmaker with intersecting concerns about the Afro-Cuban community and the value of its cultural traditions, women's issues, and the treatment of the marginalized sectors of society. Through archival footage of her works and interviews with her children and husband Germinal Hernandez, cast members of her best-know film De cierta manera, as well as colleagues and friends, we get closer to a filmmaker who invented new landscapes and brought together opposite worlds.
Friday, April 29, 6:00pm, 263 Macy, Film TBA
Friday, May 27, 6:00pm, 263 Macy, Film TBA
More details on films to follow.
For More Information www.NYADFF.org, Contact The African Diaspora Film Festival, info@nyadff.org
Sixth Annual Black History Month GALA
Saturday, February 26th, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Everett Lounge
Cosponsored by the Office or Students Activities and Programs.
Join BSN for our annual Gala. Dinner and Cocktails, Semi-formal Attire. This is an event FOR ALL that you do not want to miss! More details to come soon...
Including Individuals with Disabilities in TC Activities and Event Planning
A Workshop for All TC Community Members
Monday, February 28, 2011, 12:30 – 1:30 PM (lunch provided), 142 Horace Mann
Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 3:00 – 4:00 PM (light refreshments); Location TBD
Co-Sponsored by the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs.
Learn how to make your TC-related email notices, flyers, conferences, seminars, workshops, and meetings accessible to individuals with disabilities. Everyone should feel included in TC activities.
Contact jaech@tc.edu, (212) 678-3853, or (212) 678-3854 video phone to:
- RSVP
- Get Further information
- Request reasonable accommodations (e.g., interpreters, alternate text material, campus map of accessible features)
Racial Literacy Roundtables: Lesson Planning for Cultural Diversity; The Threat of Stereotypes; Seeing and Hearing Multiple Perspectives
Monday, March 7, 2011: Lesson Planning for Cultural Diversity, 150 Horace Mann
Monday, April 4, 2011: The Threat of Stereotypes, Location TBA
Monday, April 25, 2011: Seeing and Hearing Multiple Perspectives, Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Assistant Professor of English Education
Cosponsor: English Education Program, Arts and Humanities Department
Racial Literacy Roundtables (RLR) seek to foster open dialogue about race, issues pertaining to race, language differences, sexual orientation, and other important issues in Urban Education, primarily among in-service and pre-service teachers and members of the TC community. Conceptualized as a peer-to-peer forum, RLRs hope to bring together students and faculty across departments to discuss the different topics. A light snack and refreshments will be served.
Leadership through Service: KDP Foundation Day Conference
Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society, celebrates its centennial. Our chapter will mark the long relationship between TC and KDP with a conference highlighting the work of TC students and faculty that directly impacts the community.
WHO: THE ENTIRE TC AND CU COMMUNITY – Free to all! Notable speakers include Prof. Megan Laverty of the Philosophy and Education Program, Dr. Dawn Arno of the Institute for Urban and Minority Education, and David Pratt of the Carnegie Council. You don’t have to present to attend, and it’s free!
WHEN: MARCH 8, 2011 – The conference begins at 11:30am. We will start with a free lunch and time for
mingling. Presentations will begin at 1pm with our keynote.
WHAT: 15 minute presentations – Showcase your work in a 15-minute presentation to students and faculty. Meet like-minded colleagues! We welcome presentations of service projects, course work, successful lessons/curricula, formal research, literature reviews, or theoretical work. We value a wide range of topics and disciplines related to Leadership and/or Service.
HOW: SUBMIT A PROPOSAL BY FEBRUARY 20TH and FOR MORE INFORMATION – Submit your proposal online at www.tiny.cc/kdpconference. You may also send a one-page outline of your proposal with your name, program, and an abstract to or submit any questions to KappaChapterTC@gmail.com. Notifications will go out by February 27th.
“Critical Conversations about Privilege” Series
Three Sessions, March 25th, March 28th, April 7th; 12:30 - 2pm; Location TBA.
You Are Invited to Join A Critical Conversation about Privilege at Teachers College: This Program will Continue our Community Building Initiatives – A Sequel to “What Kind of Community Do We Want TC To Be? Lessons from the Levees” and last year’s “Critical Conversations about Privilege” Series. Lunch Will Be Served.
The Black Student Network 2nd Annual Diversity in Research & Practice Conference
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
BSN's Annual Conference brings together some of the best and brightest students, scholars, and experts in education research and professional development. Research will be presented on topics ranging from Women of Color in the Sciences to Reasons for Teacher Attrition. Sessions offered on Professional Development and Best Practices from top educational organizations. There will also be opportunities to mentor some of NYC's top high school students. Details coming soon...
The New York City Department of Education’s Young Male Initiative
Panel Presented during the BSN 2nd Annual Diversity in Research & Practice Conference, Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 AM – 4 PM, Location TBA
Recently, the New York City Department of Education created a young male initiative in response to the low and decreasing numbers of male high school graduates. This first-time event seeks to bring together
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:30am-3:30pm, 179 Grace Dodge.
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Cosponsored by Teachers College Chinese Students and Scholars Association (TCCSSA), M~Stone Advisory, Minds Abroad, and
China Scope seeks to provide students, teachers, and others with a broad-based understanding of contemporary
The China Scope conference at Teachers College will be a 6-hour event offering a solid introduction and analysis of today’s Chinese economy and society. Students from TC community and beyond will be all welcomed for knowledge sharing. The Conference speakers, who are scholars from a specific field in
Sessions will cover:
EnVision Yourself
Saturday, March 26th, 2011, 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM, Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Envision Yourselves Latinos: Striving for
This annual event brings together college students, Teachers College and Columbia University students, as well as faculty and staff to create open lines of communication among students of different socioeconomic, geographic, educational, and cultural backgrounds specifically to create pathways to graduate school. Envision consists of panels and workshops organized in conjunction with the Offices of Admission, Financial Aid, TC faculty and administrators. A free workshop on applying and getting into graduate school.
Tentative Program:
Breakfast & Registration: 9:00-9:50 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks: 10:00-10:45 AM
Financial Aid Workshop: 11:50 AM - 12:35 PM
Lunch: 12:35-1:15 PM
Faculty Panel: 1:15-2:15 PM
Graduate Student Panel: 2:20-3:15 PM
Closing Remarks/Evaluation: 3:20-3:45 PM
Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, Time TBA, Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
The ALAS annual conference has sought to create a space for analysis, dialogue, and exchange in relation to the complex realities of education in the
This conference is co-sponsored by: The Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs at Teachers College; The President’s and Provost’s Student Event Fund at Columbia University; the Office of Student Activities and Programs at Teachers College; Teachers College Student Senate; the Department of International and Transcultural Studies at Teachers College; and the Institute of Latin American Studies at Columbia University.
Intersections: A Learning Symposium on Immigration, Gender & Youth
Friday, April 8, 2011, Time and Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Michelle Knight-Diop, Associate Professor of Education
Cosponsor: Department of Curriculum and Teaching
This Symposium is a collaborative project between the
For the Call for Submissions: https://sites.google.com/a/sautiyetu.org/intersections-a-learning-symposium-on-immigration-gender-youth-april-8-2011/home .
Admitted Student Weekend Mix & Mingle
Friday, April 15, 2011, 4:45pm- 6:00pm,
Hosted by the Vice President’s Office for Diversity and Community Affairs
Annual Admitted Student Weekend:
We are anticipating over 600 admitted students visiting campus for the event, making the decision about enrolling at TC for Summer and Fall 2011. Please help to extend a warm TC welcome to members of our admitted class of 2011 this weekend! Refreshments and light hors d’ oeuvres will be served.
Focusing on our Future; Enfocándonos en Nuestro Futuro
Saturday, April 30th, 2011, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Location TBA
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Cosponsored by the Coalition of Latino/a Scholars (CLS)
Through Enfocándonos en Nuestro Futuro, The Coalition of Latino/a Scholars seeks to provide outreach to high school students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education and may be marginalized, encouraging them to finish high school and pursue higher education. By bringing together local NYC high school students, Teachers College and other
Tentative Program:
Breakfast & Registration: 9:00-9:50 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks: 10:00-10:45 AM
Financial Aid Workshop: 10:55-11:40 AM
Lunch: 12:35-1:15 PM
Choosing the College for You: 1:15-1:55 PM
Evaluation: 1:55-2:00 PM
Date and Time TBA, PS 125 / KIPP /
Sponsored by the DCI Grant Fund.
Following the community theme of our centennial conference, the Kappa chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is partnering with PS 125 / KIPP /
Write the Vision: Make it Clear Conference
June 2011
The role of Faith-Based Community in Closing the Education Achievement Gap
More information forthcoming.
Weaving the community together.
Visit our website to learn more about our office and Open Office Hours
Open Office Hours on Mondays 4:00 PM– 5:30 PM!
For more information about events listed please contact our office, Zankel 128, x3391.
Come and meet with us!
We welcome your thoughts, ideas for additional programming,
concerns and opportunities for collaboration.
Please contact
Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations. Address these requests to the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities at (212) 678-3689, keller@tc.edu, or Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at (212) 678-3853 V/TTY, jaech@tc.edu.