Civil Education Month - April

April is Civil Education Month

Click here for a downloadable PDF of events!

Calendar of Events

April 4

~ “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder- The Basicsâ€
Kitra Nelson, NDSU alum and prevention case manager for the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Epidemiology Research Project for University of Mexico’s Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA), will provide an overview of the causes, characteristics and implications of FASD.
12pm, Century Theater. Co-sponsored by YMCA of NDSU

~ “Teaching Social Justice Through Children’s Books†- Part 1: Racism * See “Ongoing Events†below.
7-9pm, Student Activities Office, Memorial Union.

April 10

~ “Raising Children Free of Prejudiceâ€
Creating long-term change in our society requires that we begin talking with young children about issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ableism. But how can parents do that in a positive way? Members of the NDSU Anti-racism Team will lead a discussion about how to raise children who are aware of social issues and are sensitive and appreciative of the differences between people. 12:30pm, FLC 320. Co-sponsored by NDSU Anti-racism Team

April 11

~ “Motherhood Manifesto†film and discussion
Did you know the United Sates is one of only five countries of 168 studied that does not mandate paid maternal leave, putting us on par with Papua New Guinea, Lesotho and Swaziland? Did you know, as Ann Crittenden writes, “A college-educated woman with one child can easily pay a ‘Mommy tax’ (lost lifetime earnings) of $1 million?†The “Motherhood Manifesto†documentary, produced by the grassroots organization MomsRising.org, gives concrete examples of how our society devalues motherhood and what things can be done to change that. Join us for this fascinating short film and discussion to follow. 12pm, Century Theater. Co-sponsored by YMCA of NDSU

~ Safe Zone Ally Training Session. *See “Ongoing Events†below.
2:30-4:30pm, Memorial Union Studio

~ “Teaching Social Justice Through Children’s Books†- Part 2: Genderism/Sexism. *See “Ongoing Events†below.
7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room.

April 12

~ Steve Wagendorf, AIDS Activist
Is AIDS a problem in North Dakota? Steve Wagendorf will tell us about his experiences living in western North Dakota as a gay man who is HIV positive.
12:30pm, New Ballroom â€" North and 7pm, Minard Hall, room 136. Co-sponsored by NDSU/MSUM Ten Percent Society

April 17

~ “A Place at the Table†film and discussion
Throughout our nation's history, individuals and groups â€" from Baptists fighting for religious freedom to Civil Rights activists fighting for desegregation to families seeking gender equity in sports â€" have toppled barriers to become full participants in our democracy. These stories of everyday bravery are highlighted in the film.
12:30pm, FLC 320. Sponsored by the NDSU Anti-racism Team

~ “An Inconvenient Truthâ€
Join us for this riveting, Academy Award-winning documentary that chronicles the past, present and future of global warming, as told by former Vice President Al Gore. (One showing only). 7pm, Century Theater. Co-sponsored by Campus Attractions

April 18-19

~ Boxes and Walls
We tend to put people who are different from us into boxes and build walls around ourselves based on these boxes. However, this interactive program provides participants with an opportunity to study these boxes and tear down the walls that keep us from learning from one another. Take a 50-minute guided tour through Boxes and Walls and learn about topics such as language, racism, and activism.
April 18, tours will run from 9am to 8pm, New Ballroom - North. April 19, tours will run from 9am to 4pm, New Ballroom â€" North. Co-sponsored by YMCA of NDSU

~ “Teaching Social Justice Through Children’s Books†- Part 3: Environment. *See “Ongoing Events†below.
7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room.

April 24

~ “Re-Writing History: A Service-Learning Experienceâ€
English 120 students from NDSU have partnered with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the Library of Congress to assist in collecting and transcribing interviews with soldiers and spouses/partners for the Veteran's History Project. Throughout the process, these students have also created promotional vidoes that promote service-learning, the State Historical Society Veteran's Project, and also promote awareness about the experiences and contributions made by soldiers and their families. 2:30-3:30pm, Century Theater.

April 25

~ “Fargo’s 10-year Plan to End Long-Term Homelessnessâ€
Going Home implies that you have a place where you belong, where you feel safe and secure, and hopefully can find respite from the stresses of the day. For the health of our community and for the people living in it, we believe that everyone should be able to say that they are Going Home. In light of that, a number of stakeholders in the FM area started meeting in the summer of 2006 to develop a plan to end long term homelessness in Fargo by 2015. The approach: Housing First. The belief is that vulnerable and at-risk homeless individuals and families are more responsive to interventions and social services support after they are in their own housing, rather than while living in temporary/transitional facilities or housing programs. 12pm, Century Theater. Co-sponsored with YMCA of NDSU

~ “Teaching Social Justice Through Children’s Books†- Part 4: Classism/Poverty. *See “Ongoing Events†below.
7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room.

April 26

~ “True Colors: Re-shaping our Attitudes about Racism and Ethnicityâ€
Can’t we just all get along? The reality is that many students (most people) can’t when it comes to racial and ethnic differences! In this shocking, but touching program, Professor Joe Martin shares his soul with students about the racial struggles and challenges he and his roommate faced during their two years of living together. He will leave no stone unturned as he addresses issues that most diversity programs try to avoid, like: interracial dating, the “N†word, racist parents, Affirmative Action, racial jokes, and racial peer pressure. 7pm, Century Theater. Co-sponsored by: Memorial Union, Residence Life, Cooperative Sponsorship Committee, YMCA of NDSU, President’s Diversity Council

April 28

~ “Walk ‘n Roll 5K Raceâ€
Be physically active and support the NDSU Guatemala Service Trip. You can run, walk, bike, rollerblade, or do whatever form of exercise will take you from start to finish! Registration forms are available in the Student Activities Office. Cost is $15 for students, $20 for faculty/staff, $10 for children 12 years and under. Fee must be paid upon registration. Early registration is due to the Student Activities Office by Friday, April 13. Participants who register early will receive a free t-shirt. (Later registrations will be accepted until the day of the event). Race begins at 9am, NDSU Wellness Center. Sponsored by NDSU Volunteer Network

April 30

~ Safe Zone Ally Training Session. *See “Ongoing Events†below.
12-2pm, Memorial Union Studio.

Ongoing Events

“Teaching Social Justice Through Children’s Booksâ€

Join us for a different kind of book club where we will explore various social justice issues as they have been traditionally treated in children’s books and videos. Participants will receive copies of books that offer positive ways of exploring these issues. Please note that you do not need to attend all four book club sessions.
Co-sponsored by NDSU Volunteer Network

April 4 ~ Part 1: Racism, 7-9pm, Student Activities Office, Memorial Union.
April 11 ~ Part 2: Genderism/Sexism, 7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room.
April 18 ~ Part 3: Environment, 7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room.
April 25 ~ Part 4: Classism/Poverty, 7-9pm, Meinecke Board Room

Safe Zone Ally Training Sessions

Safe Zone is a program to educate and organize a network of Allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning people in our community. A person who has attended Safe Zone Ally training and displays the symbol is one who will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if an LGBTQ person needs help, advice or someone to talk to. Safe Zone Ally training sessions are offered throughout the year. For more information, go to: http://mu.ndsu.edu/civic_engagement/safe_zone/

April 11 ~ 2:30-4:30pm, Memorial Union Studio
April April 30 ~ 12-2pm, Memorial Union Studio

Dress for Success Clothing Drive

Spring Cleaning is a great time to re-evaluate one’s wardrobe and clean out that closet. The NDSU Volunteer Network encourages all students, staff and faculty to consider donating their gently used clothing to our “Dress for Success Clothing Drive.†Dress for Success provides assistance to women in need who are entering the workforce by supplying an interview suit and start-up wardrobe once each woman has acquired a job. Items that are especially needed at this time include gently used clothing, especially plus sizes), accessories, and new, unopened cosmetics and personal hygiene products.

April 10-30 ~ Drop off site: Memorial Union, Student Activities Office

Past Civil Education Month Events:

April 2006

• You can view the 2006 Civil Education Month brochure here.

April 2005

• Human Race Machine
• Kathy Martinez - "Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers"
• "Stop the Hate!" Hate Crime Training
• PBS Series: "Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State"
• Melanie Miller - "Americorps: Serving the Asphalt Jungle"
• Tim Wise - "Beyond 'Diversity': Challenging Racism in an Age of Backlash"
• Safe Zone Ally Training
• Dr. Robert Fisch - "Surviving the Holocaust"
• Boxes and Walls
• Dr. Manjusha Gupte - "Gender Gap in Politics"

April 2004

• Speaker: Judy Richardson, Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
• Speaker: Minnijean Brown Trickey, Return to Little Rock
• Boxes and Walls
• Hunger Banquet
• Safe Zone Ally Training
• Brown Bag Seminar: Voting is for Adults
• Brown Bag Seminar: Hunger and Homelessness in Fargo-Moorhead
• Brown Bag Seminar: How White People can Work for Social Justice

April 2003

• Speaker: James Loewen, author
• Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
• Lies Across America: What Our Historical Sites Get Wrong
• Speaker: Benny Hochman, WWII concentration camp survivor and author
• From Hell to Here: A World War II Autobiography
• Boxes and Walls
• Safe Zone Ally Training
• Safe Zone Ally Reunion
• Brown Bag Seminar: Lies our Authorities Tell Us

April 2002

• Speaker: Stephen G. Bloom, author
• Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America
• Stop the Hate! Training Seminar
• Safe Zone Ally Training
• Brown Bag Seminar: Ethical Leadership
• Speaker: Dr. John Helgeland, NDSU Religion Department
• Service Day with James Hersch
• NDSU Volunteer Network

April 2001

• Speaker:Paul Rogat Loeb, author
• Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time
• Brown Bag Seminar: Hate Speech
• Panel Discussion
• Brown Bag Seminar: Free Speech
• Panel Discussion
• Brown Bag Seminar: Debate on Civility
• NDSU Lincoln Speech and Debate Team
• Service Day with James Hersch
• NDSU Volunteer Network