For some international students, integration into student life is more difficult than for other students.

“Some students do really great jobs.  They have lots of confidence. We never hear from them,” director of the International Students and Scholars Jill Johnson said.

“For other students, it is pretty intimidating. Often times, it takes a little longer.”

In terms of classes, professors are extremely welcoming, and the International Students and Scholars office has special sections of core classes, such as English 1010, geared for international students.  These classes cover the same material but at a slower pace.

“The language barrier is the most visible barrier,” said Johnson. “But food is also a barrier. The culture can be completely different. It takes a while to gain confidence.”

Johnson said that integrating international students into UW life, along with better preparing American students, has been a hot topic this year. According to Johnson, some of the best-attended events are the international events, such as the upcoming Chinese New Year.

The International Students Center in the basement the Cheney Building is one place for welcome events for new students and different organizations use it to host small events.

These events allow international students to speak their native language and meet with students from their native countries. The center is open to all students, and they are encouraged to attend.

“We work with different organizations and clubs on campus to prepare events and let students know about campus resources,” Johnson said.

In addition, the International Students and Scholars office recruits students to come to UW from countries such as China, Korea, Taiwan, India and Nepal.  Many international students come from these countries, according to Johnson. There is also a big population from Saudi Arabia, India and Libya.

“Recruiting from these countries—it is not just the students who are involved, but the whole family,” Johnson said.

Most international students major in engineering and business because, according to Johnson, these are well paying jobs.

In terms of American students accepting this international presence, Johnson finds that most students are extremely welcoming.

Branding Iron

The Branding Iron is a Student Media project. Student Media gives University of Wyoming students valuable experience in writing, editing, advertising, sales, graphic design, photography and production through its publications with the guidance of professional staff members. If you find a mistake in an article, e-mail us at bi@uwyo.edu. We will make sure to torture the poor soul until it's corrected. Just kidding. We probably won't do anything, since we're busy studying for finals.

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The education I received in school about the civil rights leader was a whitewashed version.

Growing up, teachers talked about how King was the preeminent American civil rights leader of the 20th century. They informed us how, through non-violent civil disobedience, King brought down Jim Crow in the South and brought a measure (arguably a small one) of equality between blacks and whites.

Yet, I would argue that the history of King most of us learned in school is one that embraces the good and rejects the controversial.

Most young Americans seem either ignorant of, or entirely unaware, that King was not just a proponent of civil rights for all Americans. He was also a man dedicated to peace who was a critic of both the Vietnam War and the American system of capitalism.

“Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted,” King said in a 1967 speech.

King’s opposition to the war seemed to be founded, at least in part, on the idea that African Americans were charged with fighting for a nation that treated them as second-class citizens. 

Yet, this happened during a time when many thought criticizing the Vietnam War was downright un-American, if not paramount to treason. But that did not stop him from giving voice to opposition.

“Now I’ve chosen to preach about the war in Vietnam today because I agree with Dante, that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality,” King said in a speech. “And I say that those who are seeking to make it appear that anyone who opposes war in Vietnam is a fool or a traitor or an enemy of our soldiers, is a person who has taken a stand against the best in our tradition.”

King was also critical of America’s capitalist economic system that kept millions of Americans (especially African Americans) in poverty—then and now.

“The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization,” King said in a 1963 speech.

So why is it most of us are unaware of King’s more contentious side?

While it’s not difficult to honor King as a civil rights leader, honoring—or even recognizing—what can be seen as the more divisive aspect of the man is not so easy. Maybe the reason lies in the fact that civil rights is seen as completed, while the issues and controversy surrounding war and economics remain to this day.

Email: Shane Staley

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The International Student Association will be hosting their annual Etiquette Dinner from 6 p.m. to midnight this Saturday in the Union Ballroom.

“[The] Etiquette Dinner is an effort to introduce and promote the culture of different countries to the campus community,” Vagaban Subedi, events coordinator for ISA said.

Each year, this formal dinner is given a different theme based on countries or regions that are represented at UW. Speakers from the represented areas are invited to speak on their cultures and etiquette, which is usually accompanied with a short visual presentation.

“There is a dinner right after the informative speeches in which the food from the represented region is served,” Subedi said.

East Asia is this year’s theme. Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia and China will be represented, Subedi said.

There will be a speaker from China, South Korea, Malaysia and one from Indonesia.

Following the dinner, a dance will feature international and English music.

“It is a great opportunity to learn about East Asia, their culture and their etiquettes, [and] how they represent themselves. And it is also a great opportunity to taste the food from different countries at once, which is a rare opportunity,” Subedi said.

With the dinner, ISA hopes to increase interaction between students. 

“We consider the term international as ‘inter-national,’ which includes American students as well,” Subedi said. 

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Tickets are required and were given out Wednesday and Thursday. ISA works to introduce the culture from all countries on campus. 

“Etiquette Dinner is probably the biggest effort in [the direction of] this goal. We basically represent the countries turn-by-turn based on the student representation. Availability of the interested students, vendors who can provide the food from the selected countries is the main factors,” Subedi said.

In past years, themes have included South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Next year another part of the world will be showcased.

“ISA is looking to see the diverse university community come to the event. A lot of times American students do not show interest in the events organized by the international students. We are expecting to see the American students as well. How much do the American students know about East Asia? Again since it is “International Etiquette Dinner” we want to welcome Inter-national community,” said Subedi. ISA believes cultures enhance if shared with others. 

During Friday Night Fever tonight ISA will be set up in the Union Ballroom. This event is free and open to students (no tickets required). Tables representing various countries will be present so students can learn about different cultures.

International Pizza and deserts will be served. Students can and learn how to write their names in different languages, get henna tattoos, and experience wearing dresses from different countries.  “ISA believes cultures enhance if shared to others,” said Subedi. 

Email the author: lkottenstette@uwyo.edu 

codyconnor

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My favorite photo assignments aren’t athletic events, nor are they large events put on by campus organizations. My favorite photo assignments are the ones that allow me to document the everyday lives of college students. 

I like them because we have the most unique lives—and I enjoy capturing them. The life that is the college life isn’t found in classrooms or lecture halls. It’s found in the cheap apartments around Laramie. It’s found in the students ranting outside of the Union. 

After a year and a half at UW, I am completely convinced that only those in our age group could live our lifestyles and get out alive. 

Many students, myself included, live substantially unhealthy lifestyles largely due to the very fact that we’re college students. 

On a good day, I’m able to make it to McDonald’s just in time to get a McGriddle (sausage egg and cheese) and a coffee (crude oil black) and make it to my 8 a.m. class. On a bad day, I’m on my third cup of coffee and shaking due to high levels of caffeine and a lack of food by the time my political philosophy class rolls around. 

Many college students have stories similar to mine. We stay busy procrastinating (yes, procrastinating is an activity which keeps many college students quite busy), writing papers (often in a very short period of time) or studying. 

Most college students survive off booze, caffeine—and in some cases—illicit drugs and cigarettes. It’s an interesting lifestyle to say the least. 

Then, of course, there are the financial troubles that come with being a college student. I have woken up many times to find less than a dollar left in my checking account—and this isn’t unusual or surprising to me at all. In fact, I simply dismiss it as being just another part of the socioeconomic status of being a college student. 

I don’t even flinch when I hear stories of my friends pulling consecutive all-nighters because they were up writing a paper or studying for an exam. Again, this is completely normal and to be expected. 

I recently found myself preparing for an exam in Coe Library. There’s just something about the environment in libraries that is conducive to studying, or for those like me, procrastination. I had my laptop screen split into two screens: On one screen was my Facebook page, and on the other I was watching “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.” It just wouldn’t feel right for me to sit down and actually begin my assignment in a timely manner. 

This is simply apart of the American college experience: getting drunk on the weekends, living off caffeine and Burger King, and being forced to get a Buck Double because you can’t afford anything else. The American college experience is poverty and decadence packed into a caffeine-filled and, for some, a pharmaceutically-driven rite of passage. 

I wouldn’t have it any other way. We only get this experience once, so why not live off caffeine and Burger King and four hours of sleep (on a good night)? 

So have another Buck Double or coffee. Smoke another cigarette, if that’s your thing, and enjoy the American college experience. 

Email: Zach Spadt 

codyconnor

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The Tea Party has made a name for itself by touting a message of pure Americanism.

The Tea Party’s America is the America our founders envisioned when they began the great experiment that is our country. In the Tea Party’s America, the Constitution and God are the only rulers.

Tea Party darling Sarah Palin clearly understands this message. The theme of her speeches and articles is that of a government founded on the principles of representation (listening to the people) and individual liberties and—of course—upholding the basic rights our founders loved so much. I’m beginning to wonder if Palin, and by extension the Tea Party, understand what this actually means.

An article appearing in “Slate Magazine” last August tells the story of Palin’s squeaky-clean Facebook page. When Palin endorsed Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) for the U.S. Senate, a few followers of Palin disagreed with her endorsement and let their concerns be known via her Facebook page. Even those disagreeing with her in a respectful manner had their posts deleted. 

“Why are these comments expressing disagreement with this endorsement being deleted?” read one post that was deleted. “Just because some of us disagree with the endorsement doesn’t mean that we don’t follow Sarah Palin. I just wish you would listen to me as a resident of the 3rd Congressional district.”  

As much as Palin touts that she is someone who is simply traveling America listening to the views of its citizens, she seems pretty fond of silencing people who disagree with her. 

Sarah Palin and the Tea Party are in some ways the antithesis of Americanism. They hold their rallies and appear before their supporters with a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other. I doubt most in the movement have read either documents. 

They scream about American values and individual liberties, but these liberties only appear to apply to true Christian Americans. Want to build a religious center in New York? That’s fine, wait…it is a Christian Church, right? Want to take part in Civil Discourse? Okay fine, but you agree with us, right?  

Palin and the Tea Party either don’t comprehend what it actually means to be in support of American values, such as individual liberties and religious freedoms, or they simply don’t care (I’m beginning to believe the latter). If they did, they would have been the first in line to support the Islamic center in New York that caused so much controversy. And they surely wouldn’t censor anyone who disagrees with them. 

Let’s be honest: Sarah Palin and others in the Tea Party don’t care about these things at all. They’ve simply found a creative way to pander to voters by manipulating their fears and emotions. 

I won’t deny that this technique wins elections—that was proven on this November’s Election Day. But their wins come at a cost. Campaign ads sponsored by the Tea Party ran across the country linking certain candidates to the “Ground Zero Mosque,” and many candidates won because of them. This January, Kentucky is sending first-term Senator Rand Paul (R) to Washington, who wants to repeal parts of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 

The Tea Party movement, if it is allowed to prevail, will set American progress back a few decades because those in it don’t understand that the freedoms and liberties they preach about do indeed extend beyond white Christians who agree with the conservative message. They don’t understand that Constitutional protections go beyond those in the white, Christian demographic. 

Perhaps, instead of continuously monitoring their Facebook pages for dissenting posts to delete, they should pick up a Constitution and a copy of the Federalist Papers. Who knows, they might just learn something about the American values they preach. 

Email: Zach Spadt 

Branding Iron

The Branding Iron is a Student Media project. Student Media gives University of Wyoming students valuable experience in writing, editing, advertising, sales, graphic design, photography and production through its publications with the guidance of professional staff members. If you find a mistake in an article, e-mail us at bi@uwyo.edu. We will make sure to torture the poor soul until it's corrected. Just kidding. We probably won't do anything, since we're busy studying for finals.

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The panel was designed for both students and teachers to share their experiences and allow other members of the UW community to ask questions, as well as compare and contrast their experiences to those of the panel members.

The panel expressed varying points of views, which were based on their experiences as both educators and as students on campus.

Jackson, a member of the Department of Theatre and Dance, discussed the topic as it relates to his career as a black, male dancer.

Patton, director of African American and Diaspora Studies, provided a presentation on the rodeo culture and how racism, discrimination and stereotypes play a role in it.

The last three panelists Boubacar Sylla, Chaundra Sewell and Chelan Landry, are all members of the UW men’s or women’s basketball teams. Sylla, a senior from Paris, talked about the comparison between his experiences in basketball and how they compare and contrast with his time in France, as well as his time here in Wyoming.

Sewell and Landry told of their experiences as not only female athletes but also black female athletes, and how that shaped who they are today.

Overall, the panel hoped to dispel myths about racism, discrimination and stereotypes here on the UW campus, and help those in attendance have a better and more tolerant understanding of the people around them.

ABSL has been responsible for many other programs here on campus including: The Black 14 Panel, the Annual Soul Foods Dinner, Knowledge at Noon and other events that display the African American culture.

The ABSL is an RSO and is open to all UW students and faculty.

If you are interested in attending, the association meets Tuesdays in room 202 in the Union.

Students looking for more information about events sponsored by ABSL, or about the program in general, can contact co-presidents Sonia Gahimbare at sgahimba@uwyo.edu or Courtney Holder at cholder@uwyo.edu.

Email: Cali Cravens 

jsindt

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Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2010)—The doubles team of Simona Synkova and Kim van Ginkel concluded play at this year’s ITA All-American Championships, on Friday, at the Riviera Tennis Club.

The 32nd ranked team of Synkova and van Ginkel fell to the fifth ranked Josipa Bek and Keri Wong of Clemson, by an 8-4 score. The Cowgirls were up 4-3 and had a chance to earn a break to put them up 5-3, but Clemson played tough and would win the game to tie it up at four all.

“We had a great start and got an early break but we couldn’t hold on to the lead,” said head coach Kati Gyulai. 

“We kept executing well but Clemson stayed tough and didn’t give us anything. We are happy to see where we are at this point in the fall season.”

This top hard court event of the fall collegiate season features the top players in Division I. 

The tournament includes six rounds of prequalifying and qualifying matches which began on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships are hosted by the Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. for the 26th consecutive year.

The Cowgirl tennis team will be back in action beginning next Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Mountain Regional Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.

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Players from across the world dueled for ball control and kicked up grass and dust, while an unrelenting sun blazed their sweat-drenched bodies. 

While it was not a FIFA World Cup, the UW Soccer Fiesta 2010 did have some of the same objectives. 

One of the event’s goals was to connect dozens of cultures through the world’s most popular sport, while providing a peaceful and entertaining environment. 

The International Student Association and the Wyoming African Student Association hosted the cup.

According to Vanessa Baguet, president of ISA, 16 teams registered for the cup, two of which could not particpate. The teams were allowed to range from seven  to 10 players, “…so if we do the math, we probably had between 112 and 160 players plus their supporters,” Baguet said. 

In the end, the total number of people at the event stood at around 200, including all students involved in the event’s organization including ISA, WASA and ASTEC, who provided technical support.

To decide the winner, the cup was split into four groups. Within the groups, the teams battled in a knock-out system against each other until finals. 

The Green Falcons and The Unknowns were the two teams that made it into finals. 

The Green Falcons were an all-Saudi men’s team, while The Unknowns was completely comprised of Americans.

Kolten Powell, the goalie for The Unkowns, said the name came to him last minute. 

“There is really no good reason we chose that name, I’m afraid,” Powell said. “I had to think of a name quickly and it sounded mysterious—like maybe we are really good, but no one knows us.” 

AbdulAziz Alhubil, goalie for the Green Falcons, said their name was in tribute of Saudi Arabia’s national soccer team, nicknamed “Green Falcons.”

For the American team, the cup was a way to connect with the other countries and cultures represented. 

“We got to play against and meet people from Sri Lanka, India, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy,” Powell said.

In the end, the Green Falcons beat The Unknowns 6-1 to claim the Soccer Fiesta 2010 cup.

According to Associate Director of Admissions, International Students and Scholars Jill Johnson, interaction between international and American students needs to be furthered. 

“I think there is just not enough back and forth between international students and domestic students on campus,” Johnson said. “The likelihood that any graduate will get into the job market and not have interactions with people from another country on a professional basis is decreasing all the time. It is important that students are ready for that.”

The university has about 750 international students on campus—a number that has been increasing steadily over the last years, she said.

For WASA president Darlington Sabasi soccer was a simple way to teach students about the rest of the world. 

“Being great soccer lovers, enjoying the world cup that was being held on the African soil for the first time and realizing that soccer is the sport that unites us all, we (Sabasi and WASA vice president Edward Offei) decided to pursue this idea,” Sabasi said.

Events organized by international student organizations are an opportunity for American students to broaden their horizons. 

“The events are designed to celebrate unique and different cultures and to share that with the campus community,” Johnson said. “As a community, we really shouldn’t waste the opportunity to learn about the wider world around us.” 

codyconnor

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Erin Jarnagin

ejarnagi@uwyo.edu

A UW history professor was involved in a car crash Friday night that resulted in his death, according to a staff and faculty email released from Arts and Sciences Dean Oliver Walter.

Wyoming Highway Patrol confirmed Adrian Bantjes, a professor in the History department, was killed in a car crash near Saratoga that also involved his wife and daughter. As of Monday the accident report had not been filed.

Bantjes was a specialist in Latin American history and specialized in the cultural and political history of Mexico during the 20th century, including the Mexican Revolution.

He is the author of “As if Jesus Walked on Earth, Cardenismo, Sonora and the Mexican Revolution.” He was also working on another book on Mexican popular religion during the revolution, according to his UW website.

codyconnor

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Laramie High School will host Relay for Life this Friday, June 18^th, to benefit the American Cancer Society.   The run/walk will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Friday night and last until 9:00 A.M the following morning.  Teams of runners/walkers will run/walk through the night, taking turns every 2-3 hours.

“The teams are almost all locals with 351 participants,” said the Albany County Relay for Life director Christine Trumbull. Albany County Relay’s goal is to raise 100,000 dollars for the cause.

“Right now we are at 68,000, but we still have a few more days and the race to raise some more money,” said Trumbull about their goal. 

The Relay, along with First Interstate Bank, has already hosted some fundraising events with a garage/bake sale and Beef Brisket and Pork Shoulder sandwiches in the First Interstate parking lot.   UniWyo Federal Credit Union is also hosting a Mini Cooper raffle.  Tickets cost 40 dollars or 3 tickets for 100 dollars.  Everything over the cost of the car will benefit the American Cancer Society, and the drawing will be held after the relay. 

The relay will start with a survivors lap around the track.  All cancer survivors are invited to participate in this lap to celebrate their defeat of cancer.  Following the Survivors Lap is the Luminaria ceremony. 

“This ceremony is a big deal in the overall event, and the donations from that will also go to the Cancer Society,” said Trumbull. 

The Luminaria ceremony invites “people to remember loved ones who have been lost to disease,” according to the Relay for Life information website.  Candles are lit inside bags of sand, and on these bags is the name of the loved one.  Family members and friends then walk around the track, many of them in silence, to pay tribute to their loved ones.  It is a touching and emotional start to the Relay which then ends with the Fight Back Ceremony; this involves running/walking throughout the night to ‘fight back’ against cancer. 

“It is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Trumbull, who also helped plan an ice cream social before the relay and pizza at midnight during the relay.  Live music will play until 8:30 and then a DJ will continue until the end of the race at nine in the morning. 

The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life urge all members of the community to come and see the event.  According to the Relay for Life information page, “we are creating a world with more birthdays; a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.”

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