Northeastern Illinois University and the Office of Student Leadership Development invite all students to celebrate the rich diversity of the University with Diversity Week 2015, a weeklong series of events beginning Monday, Feb. 16.
International Day will kick it all off with performances by dance groups Ensemble Español and Aloha Chicago. Students also have the opportunity to participate in different cultural activities, including music, crafts and sampling cuisine from around the globe.
“International Day is important because it brings people together from different walks of life to celebrate each other’s diversity,” said Alfonso Trevino Jr., president of Alliance for Student Social Workers, one of the student organizations involved in International Day. “I also will be giving salsa dance lessons during International Day. I am excited to bring about the Latin culture at Northeastern.”
The excitement of Diversity Week has led to an overwhelming response from student organizations wanting to get involved and raise awareness on certain issues. The GLBTQA club and Theta Pi Sigma hope to make an impact on campus with SpeakOUT, an event featuring a panel of students who will share their coming out stories and engage the audience in discussion.
“We have gotten a few people for the panel with diverse backgrounds, including myself,” said Robert Matlock, president of the GLBTQA club. “This event should be very informative for those people who are not out yet and are deciding whether or not to come out, as well as for those who do not belong to the GLBTQA community.”
The message of diversity will be communicated in other forms, such as comedy. The Second City, Chicago’s premier comedy club, will host an improv show called “Outreach & Diversity,” and will showcase new talents from different backgrounds.
Diversity Week events are free. Here is the full schedule:
Monday, Feb. 16
- International Day, Alumni Hall, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
- Leadership Pathways, SU 215, 3:05-4:15 p.m.
- SpeakOUT, Golden Eagles, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- The Second City: Outreach & Diversity Improv Show!, Recital Hall, 7-8 p.m. Seats are limited. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Interfaith panel, SU 003, noon-1p.m.
- Deaf: Language, Culture, & Identity, SU 217, 3-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19
- Lunar New Year Celebration, Alumni Hall, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20
- Black Heritage Awards Ceremony, Alumni Hall, 6 p.m.
