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Residential Services and Students Celebrate Thanksgiving Together

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Every year, Northwestern’s Evanston campus slowly begins to empty as students return home for Thanksgiving Break. Traditionally, many students head home for breaks throughout the year, but last year, Student Enrichment Services (SES) identified a need for support over Spring Break. A short survey revealed that 50 students stayed on campus prompting SES to sponsor community meals and organized care packages from the student group, Points for a Purpose, to help supplement meals for the week.

This year, as students prepared to head home for the five-day Thanksgiving Break, eager to see familiar faces and take a break from the rigorous coursework at Northwestern, a significant portion of students stayed on campus during the holiday.  About 600 students were on campus to enjoy a Northwestern-style Thanksgiving celebration.

According to data taken from Foster-Walker Dining Hall, around 15% of residential students remained on campus for the duration of break. It is likely that there were even more staying on campus whose data could not be collected because they were not dining at Foster-Walker. At Foster-Walker, students on meal plans could swipe for free. Residential Services and Northwestern Dining sponsored both the meal service as well as snack bags that students could take with them.

The University held several events for any remaining on-campus students. Roger Boye, faculty chair of Northwestern’s Communications Residential College (CRC), held his annual Thanksgiving dinner for CRC members while African American Studies professor Michelle Wright from the Women’s Residential College (WRC) hosted six students at her home for dinner. Melissa Foster, faculty-in-residence for Shepard Hall and 1838 Chicago and senior lecturer for the School of Communication, invited students to come to a pie and cider event at her apartment on Wednesday night.

Communication Residential College (CRC) students enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with faculty chair Roger Boye

Communication Residential College (CRC) students enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with faculty chair Roger Boye

Other residential life staff members and resident assistants hosted various events for their residents. The graduate housing assistance staff served a Thanksgiving meal that 65 community members attended, and eleven students shared Thanksgiving dessert together in the Northeast residential area. Meanwhile, the Southwest residential area held a Popcorn, Pizza, and Movie on Friday night.

For the sixth year, the Quest Scholars Network at Northwestern hosted their annual Quest-Giving Event and were excited to co-sponsor with SES, Sheil Catholic Center, and Residential Services this year. The event took place at the Sheil Catholic Center, and served around 100 students.

The Religious Centers on campus came together to host a “Pop-Up Pantry” for students on the Wednesday before break. The pantry was hosted in Parkes Hall and offered students access to fresh produce and grocery items for the five-day break. Close to 30 students took advantage of this new resource, and the Religious Centers are excited to offer this resource again during Spring Break this year.

Despite the gaps left by so many students leaving campus, the students who remained on campus were able to enjoy Thanksgiving in their own way. Residential Services, in collaboration with campus partners and students, will continue using data to further improve students’ experiences in the upcoming years.

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New University Commons Presentation Invites Community Feedback

Posted by Taylor Hayden

On December 7 at 5:00 p.m., the architects behind the design for the new University Commons will hold a presentation and take questions on the plans for the center in Norris Center’s McCormick Auditorium.

The presentation will include a video “fly through” of the model, allowing the audience to get a more detailed look at what the inside of University Commons will look like. Ennead Architects will also walk through each level’s floor plan.

After the presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to give feedback through a Q&A session with the architects and Jeremy Schenk, the Executive Director of the Norris Center . Tomas Rossant, partner at Ennead Architects, will be available along with associate partners Francelle Lim and Brian Masuda and architect Peter Broughton.

The design process reflects the spirit of the new building. Rather than calling it a “student center,” the intentionally named University Commons is meant to be a collaborative space meant for all members of the Northwestern community. The initial design process spanned eighteen months with feedback from approximately 5,500 students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Now, take this opportunity to come and voice any opinions on University Common’s expanded color palette, internal spaces, and more. Get a glimpse of what the future looks like.

Additional sessions are already planned for winter quarter as planning and designing move along. Look forward to getting constant updates and details on University Commons’ progress, and stay updated on the implementation process.

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Come to Norris for December Exam Relief

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Listen. School is hard enough most days, especially when it’s as fast-paced as Northwestern. But when finals kick in? The pressure increases.

That’s why Norris is offering special Exam Relief activities. From massages to board games and, yes, plenty of free food, you can spend some time taking care of yourself instead of your grades. Pull yourself away from the books for a while and join your friends to relax your mind. You’ll feel and study better after you’ve had some food and pet some miniature horses, promise.

Norris isn’t just offering fun activities to help with exam stress either. Instead, Norris will be open 24 hours a day and have designed quiet study spaces open from December 4–7 and offer free printing from December 2–9 to relieve a little stress.

It’s easy to get swept into a current of never ending work, too easy to let yourself place value on your schoolwork over yourself, but it doesn’t have to be like that. You can take time to relax, to have fun, to drink hot cocoa with friends or eat breakfast at 11:00 p.m.

It’s okay to treat yourself.

A full list of events can be found at Norris’ website.

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Escape Cabin Fever with Norris Outdoors

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Imagine this: It’s almost winter break, and you’re about to head home to relax and soak in the temporary freedom from school. Meanwhile, you’re lying on your bed when an idea suddenly strikes you. You bolt upright.

“Let’s go camping!” you exclaim to an empty room. Or maybe it’s not empty. Who knows.

The more you think about it, the better this idea seems. You don’t even need to limit yourself to camping. Winter means snow, and snow obviously means the perfect opportunity to go skiing or snowboarding! Just imagining the cozy lodges, the flickering campfires, the exhilaration of zipping down snowy slopes, and the laughter and quality time spent with friends is enough to get you excited.

This is probably the best idea you’ve had, ever. You get ready to share this amazing idea with everyone on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat when a terrible thought suddenly crawls into your head.

You don’t have any equipment. How’re you gonna have fun when you have no equipment?

Luckily, Norris has your back. For all of winter break, Norris Outdoors is offering a discounted price on item rentals. You can rent ski bundles (boots, poles, and skis) for $35 while tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags are all $25 each. All other items are only $10. Those aren’t daily prices, you realize. Those cover the entire 3–4 weeks of winter break. Finally, a deal that your poor, suffering bank account can handle.

In light of these amazing deals, you do the reasonable thing and call up all your friends, plan a huge trip, and rent some equipment from Norris. Just pick up your rental items from Norris Outdoors from December 5–9 and return them on either January 3 or 4, and bam, your amazing winter break is set. How easy and affordable was that? You can practically see the pine trees already, and you can’t wait.

To make an online rental request, visit Norris Outdoors or email candice.germany@northwestern.edu for more details.

 

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‘Build Her a Myth’ Uses Paper Dresses to Critique Feminine Culture

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Romance novels. Lots of pages from romance novels.

That’s the medium for Carrie Schumacher’s Build Her a Myth, the current exhibit at Dittmar Gallery in Norris Center. But her creation is not what you would expect.

Schumacher used the pages to create life-sized (and some mini-sized) dresses, showcased on mannequins, to “examine the demands that feminine culture places upon women,” particularly at the intersection of fashion and romance. From flower accessories to skirts resembling tulle fabric, paper is the medium for the intricate design and unique style of each dress.

Build Her a Myth is on display through Sunday, December 4.

Here is Schumacher’s description of her thought process in creating the exhibit:

“The dresses I create from the pages of romance novels examine the demands that feminine culture places upon women by utilizing the garment as a social signifier. Women often define themselves through clothing; we use our appearance to project ambitions, attract mates and signal our social status. Fashion magazines become the bibles that guide the creation of self-image, and generation after generation of females have been programmed to buy into this culture of unrealistic beauty.

Romance novels echo this sentiment, as they represent an impossible alternate reality, one where relationships are all-consuming and eternally passionate. Reality never touches either the fashion or romance realms, but the former is advertised as a way to obtain the latter.

The dresses reflect this as they are seductively beautiful, but due to the material from which they are created, unable to be worn. Completely without function, it represents how useless the feminine myths we have created are in real life.”

 

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Understanding Native American Two-Spirit Identity

Posted by Taylor Hayden

The terms transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer have become more well-known in recent years. A Native American identity for the spirit encompassing all genders and sexual orientation, the “two-spirit” identity is the focus of an upcoming interactive workshop as part of Native American Heritage Month.

Ty Defoe performs a traditional two-spirit dance

Ty Defoe performs a traditional two-spirit dance

On November 16, 7:00–8:30 p.m., multidisciplinary Grammy winner and activist Ty Defoe will discuss the significance behind the concept of Two-Spirit. Attendees can participate in embodied movements, engaging both their bodies and minds.

As part of Native American Heritage Month, the Two-Spirit workshop seeks to raise awareness of Native accomplishments and issues. Attendees are encouraged to share ideas, build relationships, discuss, and reflect on their personal unique experiences as part of the civic engagement aspects of the workshop. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures of the Native American community and gain a deeper understanding of a Native American perspective on identity.

More details on this event and other Native American Heritage Month events can be found on the Multicultural Student Affairs website.

 

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No Experience, No Problem: Become a Research Assistant

Posted by Taylor Hayden

When McCormick sophomore Eric Hao saw an email from his professor asking for compensated help on a project, he immediately replied to the professor expressing interest. Hao then spent the academic year working alongside the professor to design a Remotely Operated Vehicle using WiFi.

Perhaps Hao’s story seems like a typical undergraduate research story, but there was one crucial catch:

“I had zero real research experience. Absolutely none,” Hao said. “The professor emphasized that no research experience was required.”

Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP), run by the Office of Undergraduate Research, sponsored the project Hao and his professor worked on. Mary Leighton, URAP coordinator, noted that many students may feel apprehensive taking on research projects because of a lack of experience.

“Everyone is intimidated at first,” Leighton said. “But it’s perfectly possible to get involved with research without experience. The URAP program is specifically for students with little to no experience.”

A focus on research across all disciplines is one of URAP’s most significant elements, rather than the traditional STEM subjects that usually come to mind. URAP provides grants to faculty members who might not usually have financial means to hire undergraduate researchers. URAP also provides funding for residential college affiliated faculty fellows working with residential college undergraduate researchers. Student researchers are also compensated $10/hr, earning a maximum of $2,000 throughout the academic year, Past projects have included research in voice coaching for a theater major, anthropology projects, and sports journalism.

The basic process starts from interested students approaching a faculty member and asking if they have any projects in mind. In cases like these, faculty are the ones who submit the proposal with the interested student signed on, but faculty members can also submit a project and leave the undergraduate research position to an open search. Students can find a list of open research projects on the URAP website and then submit their résumés to specific projects.

Contacting faculty members may seem intimidating at first, but Leighton advised students not to overthink the process.

“It’s easy to come to Northwestern and feel like everyone knows what to do except you,” Leighton said. “But that’s not true. Everyone had to start somewhere…even the faculty members were once undergraduates, so they’re not as scary as you think.”

URAP offers an invaluable opportunity to receive one-on-one mentorship from a faculty member. Hao described his own experience as “truly a collective effort.”

“The professor offered really helpful advice and guidance, but was also relatively new to the project,” Hao said.

The last day to apply for the 2016-2017 academic year URAP projects is November 8. Students who can’t make this deadline can still apply for the summer program. Leighton advised interested students to start reaching out to faculty members in early spring quarter and start planning their project then.

Northwestern designed URAP specifically for students with little to no research experience, funding faculty members and compensating students at a rate of $10 per hour. Students can form bonds with faculty and take part in projects that they’re genuinely interested in. As Hao put it, “There’s really no reason not to go for it.”

More details about the program can be found here.

 

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Create a Winter Masterpiece at ARTica

Posted by Taylor Hayden

When “Jingle Bells” starts playing in early November, it’s clear that the holiday season is here. Embrace the holiday spirit and make some budget-friendly crafts at ARTica to take back to your room, bring to parents and friends back home, or just enjoy the feeling of creating something unique.

Click the image below to get some inspiration for your next trip to ARTica!

With over 50 DIY gift ideas ranging from personalized mugs and bowls to jewelry making, there’s a craft for everyone. From November 14 to December 2, drop in to ARTIca Studios during open hours and treat your friends (or yourself!) to a personalized gift.

On Special Holiday Craft Night, Friday, November 18 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., both food and select crafts will be free! Winter is a time of celebration, so celebrate with Norris!

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Participate in Movember – Men’s Wellness Awareness Month

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Movember evokes images of artfully styled mustaches, and overgrown beards for the sake of raising awareness for men’s health. Channeling that same mustached spirit, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE) are collaborating to give Movember a bit of a different spin. Everyone is still encouraged to grow out their ‘staches and beards in No-Shave November fashion, but Northwestern’s Movember strives to raise awareness for men’s wellness and mental health.

Recent attention to a feud between rappers Drake and Kid Cudi centered on this issue. Drake dissed Kid Cudi for weakness and using medication after Cudi opened up about checking himself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges. This high profile example shows how men seeking mental health help is often stigmatized, limiting discussion. A hashtag #YouGoodMan encouraged men, especially young black men, to feel more comfortable discussing mental health.

To help reduce this sort of stigma, CAPS will host several programs, covering topics from body image and masculinity to looking closer at men’s relationships (romantic and friendships), to discussing masculinity, race, and identity  (Delete intersexuality – we do not talk about this).  As a first year pilot program, Movember’s goal is to raise awareness of men’s issues and debunk the myths of masculinity that are often so pervasive in today’s culture.

The Movember program aims to erase the stigma of men showing so-called “weakness” by reaching out for aid. As CAPS psychologist Monika Gutkowska noted, “Men have the highest suicide rate and have a hard time reaching out. If this month is successful, we can do even more for this issue in the future.”

Official Movember events are as follows:

Ripped, Buff, Toned, Swole, Bulking, Cutting, Losing Control: Men, Body Image, and Disordered Eating (Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m., Henry Crown Sports Pavilion 1310):

·         This event will examine the relationship between perceived masculinity and body image, discussing the pressure men feel to conform to a certain body type.  CAPS staff and a Certified Personal Trainer will facilitate this discussion.

Hooking Up 101 (Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m., Kresge Hall 2425):

·         Explore every aspect of “hooking up” from alcohol to physical boundaries, this popular presentation can inform your perspective on a night at Nevins or the Deuce.

“I Love You, Man!” (Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm., Annenberg Hall G21):

·         CARE present “I Love You, Man!”, tackling male friendships and management of physical and emotional wellness in men’s relationships.

The Mask We Live In: A Candid Discussion on Identity, Race, and Masculinity (Thursday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m., Multicultural Student Affairs 107):

·         Men of color are invited to join this discussion of how identity, race, and social influences shape what it means to be a man.

A Movember to Remember: Stress Management for Optimal Performance (Monday, November 28 at 6:00 p.m., Searle Hall 3.226):

·         The month wraps up with a more laidback approach as attendees can learn proven mind-body techniques to relieve exam stress.

It is crucial for men to have a space to openly discuss what are often considered taboo topics, and Movember gives men that space. Throughout the month, students, faculty, and staff  are encouraged to grow facial hair for the month of November to show support for the cause.

A full list of events and more details can be found on the CAPS website. If you wish to seek extra help or support, contact CAPS or CARE.

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Native American Heritage Month is a Month of Place and History

Posted by Taylor Hayden

At Northwestern, the significance of its location plays a vital part in its celebration of Native American Heritage Month, sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and other campus partners. This year’s events include a film and video festival, an art gallery walk and workshops including embodied movements and storytelling. Many of the events focus on the history of place—of our country, city, and campus.

Native American Heritage Month’s signature event is the Sand Creek Massacre Commemoration, focused on remembering and honoring the Cheyenne and Arapaho lives lost on November 29, 1864. The massacre is noted for its distinct brutality as over 200 peaceful natives were slaughtered, two-thirds of whom were women and children.

This commemoration carries a particularly distinct weight in the Northwestern community. One of Northwestern’s founders and Evanston’s namesake, John Evans, was governor of Colorado at the time of the massacre and was instrumental in its ensuing coverup. Northwestern formed a committee to investigate his role in the massacre in 2015, concluding that Evans’ decision was a “moral failure,” but Northwestern’s community still has much to learn.

Additionally, the First Nations Film and Video Festival will be held at the McCormick Foundation Center Forum on November 7, 7:00–9:00 p.m. This will showcase short films by Native American artists across a variety of skill and experience levels.

A Two-Spirit workshop hosted by Ty Defoe, a multidisciplinary artist and writer, will focus on Native American two-spirit identity as it relates to gender through a series of embodied movements and civic engagement practices. It will take place on November 16, 7:00 p.m. in Scott Hall’s Guild Lounge.

Northwestern’s history is inextricably linked to Native American history, and is one that should be acknowledged no matter how uncomfortable or discomfiting. November’s events are an opportunity for the Northwestern community to celebrate, reflect on, and honor Native Americans. Students should connect with multiple histories and lived experiences, engage in movements and expression and honor the story of the place where they are currently living and learning.

A full list of events and their dates can be found on the MSA website.

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