I
was 12-years-old when 9/11 happened and 16 when hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast.

What
I remember about those events most is that everyone I knew were in front of
their televisions following every single news lead and details that unraveled.

I
really believed those sorts of disasters could only occur a few times within a person’s
life span. But what concerns me now is that doesn’t seem true for our
generation.

Putting
those past events aside, what we have seen in last few months I found quite
unbelievable. Many more large disasters have been occurring. They came one
after another, the earthquake in Haiti, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,
the Tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in China, the huge landslides in Brazil.
They are still fresh in our generations’ mind.

Even
here in the US, we have recently seen events, which were certainly very
devastating. We witnessed tornadoes and floods blowing devastating many places
in the South and Midwest this spring. It was more than overwhelming.

The
attention of university students like me is not always bounded to the academic
work. We are often concerned on the happenings around the world, too. Even though,
many choose to ignore world events in media.

But
beyond those sources, a majority of current students are likely to have access
to various social media, which would let them be up to date about the current
disasters.

I
feel no different than any other students in saying I wish we didn’t have to
see as many disaster as we did. But one fact I am really grateful for and proud
of is that students have always stepped up in an admirable way in times of disasters.

For
the last several years, I have seen students volunteer at ground zero for the
9/11 anniversary to offer solace to survivors.

Also,
I have seen a high number of students’ participation from around the nation
during the aftermath period of Hurricane in New Orleans. Students were very
actively volunteering. Even as days, weeks and months passed by.

Generally
speaking, disaster times have always been stressful for all of us around the
globe.

One
example last month is when the Louisiana State University newspaper, The Daily
Reveille, with collaboration of LSU student organizations helped with “Tigers
for the Tide” relief effort. The effort was to contribute necessities to those
in need affected after a devastating tornado touched down in Alabama.

LSU
shipped more than 50 boxes of donated items to University of Alabama. Once  there, the goods were transported to the affected location.

Many
student volunteers could describe sorting and boxing of those donated items as a
long, hard and difficult task to complete. But all their hard work,
determination and willingness to volunteer have made a difference.

Nothing
in the news makes me happier than when I see a large number of selfless volunteers
ready to serve on those crisis areas.

Moreover,
the number of emergency management programs in higher education has gone up
from 70, in 2001, to around the current number of 230, according to The New
York Times.

Many
universities around the country are experiencing increased enrollment in majors
like disaster science, emergency preparedness, public safety administration,
hazard policy and humanitarian action.

To
me, it seems quite clear students are concerned about disaster situations, wherever
they may be. And they appear they are ready to step-up to help deal with
aftermath.

Email: Rochak Karki

rochak

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UW offers many different options to help all students. Some of these options include alternative formats for reading assignments, test taking and note taking accommodations, real time captioning, interpreter services and extended time for test taking and assignments.

Chris Primus, the associate director of Student Educational Opportunity, said, “UDSS also has an assistive technology lab with software designed to make use of computers more efficient and possible for students with different disabilities.  For example, we have a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition program designed to respond to voice commands.  Students who express themselves better orally than they do when they type may find DNS handy, as will students with hand function limitations.

“We have software that will read back what is written on the screen, a handy tool for students with low vision or blindness, or those with learning disabilities affecting reading.”

UW’s disability program also ensures that every student is evaluated on a case-to-case basis.

Amanda Hearne, a coordinator for the University Disability Support Services, said, “We gather self report information and documentation to decide what accommodations will be most efficient for them and most effective for their academics. So, just because we offer things like alternative format doesn’t mean that every student that comes to UDSS is eligible for that.

“It really depends on their documentation and their self-report says. And we look at that every semester for every class for every student. So, it is very much personalized to each student.”

While these services are readily available, students with disabilities still need to seek the help themselves. “In high school or elementary school, students are sought out with disabilities and they have [Individual Education Plans] created, or 504 plans, and they have a team working with them. Students who come to the University have to self identify. That is the difference between high school and college,” Hearne said.

IEPs are a set of goals a student sets for a year in school. A 504 plan refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and helps make sure students are involved to a certain extent with the normal activities of a school day.

A lot of the services that UDSS offers pertain to students with emotional or learning disabilities, but Hearne said that UW is fortunate to have good facilities for those with disabilities.

“With all the construction on our campus, we’ve seen a lot of increase in accessibility in our buildings, which is really cool. We have a very accessible campus for small town Wyoming,” Hearne said.

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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.

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While the event is intended to increase dialogue of the subject on campus, there are a number of services offered that already help foster diversity, such as the Rainbow Resource Center, located on the main floor of the Union.

Emily Hart, a senior in the Division of Social Work and head coordinator of the center, said that the center has a number of programs, one of the key features being the opportunity to meet other like-minded students.

“The biggest thing we offer students, both GLBTQ and non[- GLBTQ], is the social networking opportunities here at the center,” she said.

Hart added that giving students a positive, safe environment to interact is central to the center’s mission.

“We are in a very typically conservative area, which means that more help and support can be given, the better,” she said. “It’s a safe environment for everyone really. Anyone can come in as long as they are respectful.”

One feature of the center is its expansive library of GLBTQ-related books and media.

According to Hart, the center has the largest GLBTQ library in the state (980 titles in all) that they work to keep updated. The center recently received a $500 donation from TriO and is using the money to update their library.

TriO Programs is based out of the office of Student Educational Opportunity and is designed to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Along with being a safe environment and having the library, the center also offers academic support.

“We can also help students academically through assisting students with making schedules or working with the registrar’s office,” Hart said.

This support is extended by the center’s mentoring program, which helps incoming GLBTQ students adjust to college life.

“We have a peer mentoring program now that will take students who have been down here a year or longer, and they can mentor incoming students, to help start a relationship with campus and better integrate into Laramie’s community,” Hart said. “This is a program we piloted in the fall, and it is run specifically out of our office.”

There are, however, a number of challenges associated with running the resource center, Hart said.

“On average, we have close to 3,600 [students], who are members of the GLBTQ community, who go to school at UW. We are also the only hub in the state, so we try and network with GLBTQ students throughout the state,” she said.

Hart added that another challenge associated with the GLBTQ community in Laramie is the political climate that causes many students to be hesitant to be open about their sexual orientation.

“It’s really difficult to get solid statistics on how many GLBTQ students are currently enrolled at UW, because many students don’t want to come out,” she said.

In the future, Hart said she hopes to continue to expand the services the resource center can provide students both GLBTQ and non-GLBTQ.

“I think the work we do here, and the services we provide, are important—not just to the GLBTQ community on campus—but to the state as a whole,” she said.

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I must congratulate Ann McGuigan for writing a pointed OpEd article that will surely stir debate on campus. I am sure that many will feel belittled or unfairly attacked by Ann’s comments, but she blatantly displays an issue that is all too common on many campuses across the nation.

When I was an undergraduate, I knew many students that were education majors because it “let them party more” or because there were “a lot of hot girls” in education. I also knew many students that could not “cut” engineering, math, or business so they became education majors. I have never known a student to go in the opposite direction for academic reasons.

I certainly appreciate that there are students that take a lot from the education courses and become excellent teachers, but sadly I think they are the exceptions and not the norm. I personally have known many excellent teachers; one in particular chose to teach in the gang infested schools in southern San Diego over the rich La Jolla schools—because she understood she could make a real difference for some of those kids. Many of these same teacher’s friends openly complained about the quality of their peers in general.

I hope that Ann’s article will make many think and consider this important issue. Education is in many ways this state’s and nation’s most important natural resource, and we must ensure that it is not squandered.

Lee Lang

Laramie, WY

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But the Day of Service isn’t the only activity going on during Days of Dialogue, according to greek life coordinator Kate Steiner.

“There is such a huge variety of topics and events going on this week that there is something for everyone on campus and in the community,” said Steiner. “Diversity has been a longstanding mission on the UW campus and especially this year as we celebrate the tenth year of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of Dialogue and March,” Steiner continued.

Students must sign up in advance on the SLCE page of the UW website to participate in the Day of Service, as lunch will be provided. Activities that day will include painting, moving furniture, cleaning and much more.

After the restoration, the MLK March will take place starting at the Albany County Courthouse at 4 p.m. Coal Creek Coffee will provide coffee as participants march to the Union for a free soup supper. Anyone can attend the march or the Willena Stanford Supper in the Union Ballroom.

At the supper, there will be a reading of one of MLK’s speeches by Tracy Patton, the director/professor of African-American Diaspora Studies at UW, a performance by the ballet group 7220, a drum performance by the Wyoming African Students Association (WASA), an awards ceremony, a speech by Congressman Baird and a welcoming speech by UW President Buchanan. There are many other events scheduled for Days of Dialogue.

Some of the major events are the keynote speech by hip-hop artist Common at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Union Ballroom, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Civic Center, and a comedy titled “The Race Show” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the A&S Auditorium. Tickets need to be purchased in advance for “The Race Show.”

For more information, contact Kate Steiner at ksteiner@uwyo.edu or the SLCE office in the lower level of the Union.

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Free laser tag for all UW students will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday January 14 in the Union Ballroom. Also there will be three showings of “The Social Network” at 6:30, 9 and 11:30 p.m. in the Union Family Room.

“Students should attend FNF events because we put on free, quality entertainment every Friday night,” Lead Student Programmer for FNF Julianne Friesen said.

“We always show first-run movies, which are movies that are still in theaters and have not been released on DVD yet. We try to put on events that Laramie doesn’t have such as laser tag, concerts, comedy shows, and different, unusual activities.”

There is no other opportunity for laser tag in Laramie. Buisness major April Hughes is excited for Laser tag.

“Bring it on, I will go Rambo,” Hughes said. “If Chuck Noris played this Laser tag I think I could beat him.”

All FNF events are made possible by student fees and take place on campus.

“FNF is great if you are looking for something to do and don’t have a lot of money—which is most college students. We aren’t just something for freshmen students to do; FNF is for every full or part time fee-paying student. Every week is completely different and 2011 is packed full with awesome events,” Friesen said.

Some other events that FNF will be hosting this semester include a performance by Dead Prez, a hip hop duo, known for their underground, political, and conscious hip hop style at 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21 in the Union Ballroom as part of MLK Days of Dialogue.

UW Idol will have open call auditions on Friday, Jan. 28 in the A&S Auditorium, with the semifinals and finals to follow later in the semester. Students compete for the chance to win prizes. 1st place receives $1,000; 2nd place, $500; 3rd place, $300; and Audience choice Award, $100.

Battle of the Bands, Triple Feature Movie Night and other events will also take place throughout the semester.

Email the author: lkottens@uwyo.edu

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“Early on, CHAP was a way for health professions students to get volunteer hours and to put their interests to work on campus and in the community,” Colleen Hubbell, associate lecturer and licensed counselor in the College of Health Sciences, said.

According to Hubbell, in the last few years, strong partnerships have developed between CHAP and community organizations.

She explained that CHAP is currently working on several different projects including volunteer opportunities at Senior Housing, an apartment complex for low-income seniors. The organization is also working with a program to help teach young children about health professions through puppetry as well as a new partnering program.

“In conjunction with Ivinson Memorial Hospital, [we are] partnering CHAP volunteers with people with pre-diabetes to encourage them to lose weight and make healthier food choices,” Hubbell said.

CHAP is a student-driven, extracurricular and inter-professional organization.

“Students involved report benefiting from CHAP as a place to meet and learn from other students,” Hubbell said. “Because CHAP is inter-professional, the majors represented range from within the College of Health Sciences nursing, medicine, kinesiology and health, pharmacy, to all across campus- art, biology, micro-biology, business, nutrition, and undeclared, to name a few.”

Hubbell said that students say they have been energized by getting involved with community organizations and being able to contribute to making a difference.

“CHAP works because students aspiring to various health careers are innately committed to improving the quality of life of their fellow citizens,” she said.

“Cathy Valades-Flynn keeps the diffuse group connected through regular e-mail announcements, lunch-time meetings and personal involvement,” she said.

CHAP meets twice a month, the first Wednesday at noon and the third Thursday at 4 p.m. On average about 20 students attend each meeting but nearly 300 students a year participate in some way.

“CHAP is not a club. There are no dues or requirements for joining. Just come to a meeting, have lunch, and bring your ideas for making a difference.”

Those interested in being added to the email list can contact Valades-Flynn at cvalades@uwyo.edu or call 766-4908.

Email the author: rkubiche1@uwyo.edu

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From Wednesday to next Monday, the group will perform in Glenrock, Afton, Lander and Cody in front of the towns’ high school students.

The Singing Statesmen will be finishing their tour in Cody, where the Wyoming All-State Music Groups will be meeting.

“We will perform for all of the students who auditioned into the Wyoming All-State Band, Orchestra and Choir, as well as music educators from across the state, and family of the All-State students,” said Lamartine.

The group was chosen based on their involvement and dedication to UW’s fine arts program, specifically the local musical scene.

“The UW Singing Statesmen are a high-profile men’s choir that focuses on fine choral literature representative of various style periods and vocal traditions from the western choral tradition, specifically cowboy and western songs associated with the state of Wyoming,” Nicole Lamartine, director of choral activities for UW and conductor of The Singing Statesmen, said.

This group is comprised of 50 to 60 male students from UW and is a non-audition choir. All students interested are excepted.

“This ensemble is available to both music majors and non- music majors and represents a community of musically interested students from across campus,” Lamartine said.

In 2008, Lamartine came into the position of choral activities director.

Along with teaching music education curriculum, conducting and applied voice, Lamartine conducts the Singing Statesmen, the Collegiate Chorale and advises the male the a capella group, Happy Jacks.

The Singing Statesmen’s tour of Wyoming specific goal is to address and encourage singing potential in Wyoming.

“The ensemble has toured Wyoming with the objective to promote male singing to students at the high school and community college level,” Lamartine said.

Email: Davis Bonner

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“The Tillman Story” is a documentary about Pat Tillman who in 2002 was a defensive back with the Arizona Cardinals, but traded in his jersey for a United States Army uniform.

On April 22, 2004 Tillman was on patrol in Afganistan when he was killed during a reconnaissance mission near the border of Pakistan.

“While the Army’s story painted a glowing picture of the fallen soldier and athlete, some of the details sounded suspect to Tillman’s family, and in time they began asking questions,” according to an online preview of the film.

The SAC started the film series in December.

“We hope that this new venue and carefully selected films will bring more students and community members in from the cold to see these awesome films,” SAC graduate assistant Stephanie Long said.

“[SAC] wants to bring films to the students that they wouldn’t get a chance to see elsewhere in town, but may have heard of. Rather than risk the winter drive to Ft. Collins of Denver on potentially icy roads in the dark, students can simply walk to the newly renovated and updated Education Auditorium and see these acclaimed films for free,” Long said.

There are two steps SAC has to take when choosing a movie. First they gather nominations from the film committee on the council. Next SAC coordinates with the Laramie Film Society to make sure the two groups do not accidentally show the same movies.

“The story of Pat Tillman giving up his football career to enlist in the military and go to Afghanistan is an inspiring one to say the least. Now that reports of a high level military cover up of the circumstances surrounding his death have surfaced, everyone is interested in the truth. We all want to know what really happened,” Long said.

Filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev directed the documentary

Future films include “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a documentary about street art in Los Angeles, which will show Feb. 10. “Public voting will be held to determine this film from a list of Spirit Award winning films,” Long said of the March film.

The final film of the semester will be “Buried” and will be shown on April 14.

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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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