Support Temple University's Interdisciplinary Programs

Change. "Even the smallest of creatures can make a difference in the world." That line is from Lord of the Rings and it can't be more true than anything I've ever heard. As you may have heard Temple University's College of Liberal Arts has decided to "restructure" certain programs. These programs of course include Latin American Studies, Women's Studies, Asian studies and LGBT studies. Notice a small trend there?

The Dean offered an explanation on the front page of the CLA website here, but there are a lot of questions still being asked. If this wasn't a budgeting issue then why the change? One commenter says, "Bizarre things, like placing Women's Studies and LGBT programs in Sociology? That is pre-1950s and an embarrassment to the entire university. What a horrible decision." So what can we do? We can most certainly take action. Take a moment to sign the online petition and make change happen.

Apparently "Hispanic Studies" isn't important

Earlier today I received an e-mail stating the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University has eliminated the Latin American Studies (LAS) program as of the end of this fiscal year in June. The program will continue as it has through the current spring semester.The major/minor in LAS will now be located and administered by the History Department. Not really sure what that means but I smell restructuring and eventually the LAS program getting "whacked."

I took up Latin American Studies as a minor at Temple because I wanted to learn more about myself and the importance of the community. Although the classes were not what I wanted, it still helped me find importance in who I was and still am. I wonder if Temple took a look at Arizona's attempt to ban ethnic studies. I don't understand how as Census numbers roll out, these things are still happening. From what I gather there are a group of students working to change this action. If you would like to help out in any way, please feel free to comment and leave your e-mail in the comment.

141 miles for cancer awareness

The other day I read about an amazing venture my fraternity brother Eric Stephenson is planning on achieving this month. Stephenson plans on walking an estimated 40 hours From Connecticut to Philadelphia, PA. Leaving from his job in the early morning of Thursday, March 24, and arriving in Philadelphia late Friday evening to join the Temple University crew at Relay for Life. Talk about devotion and raising awareness for cancer.

Here's an excerpt from Eric's story about our hermano Ramon:

• Ramon was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in the summer of 2009, right before my last year at Temple. Each month following, his body seemed to be deteriorating to the point that he was almost unrecognizable. I try to think that I did my best to always be there for him and his family with anything they needed, but I find myself always doubting and telling myself I should have done more.
  
  It only took 1 year for the cancer to consume him. In August of 2010, Ramon passed away at the age of 23 in Springfield, MA from a rare form of cancer known as esthesioneuroblastoma. For the last few days of his life, I was by his bedside.

Event post: Digital Sex @ 7

So after looking at the above flier I thought, "I wonder how many people put their relationship status' on Facebook, Twitter and so on." Most likely a lot. There are those who fall in love via Facebook then those who get married via Facebook. However, that stirs a whole lot of controversy due to photos, wall posts, events and everything else Facebook does to keep you in check. Is it okay to start a relationship via Facebook and tag every photo you and your GF/BF have? Relationships have clearly been broken due to certain actions over these social networking sites.

I can go on and on about this but if you have an argument, then join my fraternity and Lambda Theta Alpha at next Tuesday's program SEX @ 7 - The Digital Edition. The program will dive into the taboo issue of relationships in the digital age. Event details are on the flier above. Don't be too afraid to voice your opinion. Who knows, you might meet your significant other that night :).

One Week Away - 6th Annual Stroll Show

Once again my frat Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity, Inc. is hosting one of the BEST events on the East Coast. On Friday, November 19, 2010 the 6th Annual Stroll Show is going down. Confirmed organizations include Lambda Theta Alpha, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Omega Psi Phi (A FIRST!), Lambda Sigma Upsilon and special performances by Chi Iota Pi. But this show has grown into just strolling and winning a competition, it is now a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The entry is $5 but remember it's for a great cause.

p.s. Next week I'll be looking back at our previous shows and how this event came to being.

6th Annual Stroll Show

11/19/10

Temple University - Mitten Hall Great Court

1913 N. Broad Street, Phila., PA

Career is Life

Earlier today I spoke on a Latin American Studies (LAS) Career Day panel at Temple University. This was the second time I spoke on it and again I feel like I helped out some people. The panel was diverse in a way that a major/minor in Latin American Studies can take you in so many directions. Whether marketing, immigration, teaching or even social advocacy, studying LAS is a great opportunity.

It was interesting because although I studied journalism, I know work in public relations. So how does this all fit in? Well without knowing who I am culturally in the U.S., how can I market to Latinos in the U.S.? That's the connection in a nutshell. No matter what you study or what you want to do, be sure it's something you LOVE to do and something you would do for the rest of your life for free.

Are you ReadyU?

How do you not become a fat freshman? Need to kill downtime? I wish I had something that would answer these questions while in college. There's something out there called ReadyU and they want to help you. And by they I mean the Melissa and Mary George team.

The Facebook page says it best: Get the best spots to eat, go out, hang out and buy stuff—all rated by your fellow students. From taking polls, posting reviews and following tweets, you’ll get the scoop they don’t cover in orientation weekend. I was also told they are giving away a MacBook pro which should be everyone's dream. MAC's are expensive so every chance helps. I did notice they have sponsors out the wazoo including Herbal Essences and PUR water. ReadyU actually gives some interesting advise overall. I mean who doesn't want to live their life healthier and efficiently right.

For more information, visit ReadyU.

Today's plug in goes to...5th Annual Stroll Show

When promoting the stroll show at Temple University, we have to have the best and the best produces! Although the super-hero poster will be my personal favorite, this one will do for now. This stroll show is bound to be one of the best events of the year, and not just because I'm putting together the unity stroll, but also because of the diverse organizations involved.

5th Annual Stroll Exhibition
Temple University - Mitten Hall
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
$5 to enter

To My Fellow 2009 Graduates

Don't be scared about real life...it's fun! Yeah we may be in a recession but that shouldn't stop you from doing what you have to do. Yes unemployment is at it's highest in a long time and you are unlikely to find a job quickly, stay positive...it's worth it in the end.

According to an MSN/CareerBuilder article, Philly ranked #2 on list of top cities for new grads to live. The list is based on the ranking of the top U.S. cities with the highest concentration of young adults (age 20 - 24) from the U.S. Census Bureau (2006), inventory of jobs requiring less than one year of experience from CBcampus.com (2009) and the average cost of rent for a one bedroom apartment from Apartments.com (2009). Apparently the biggest job markets in Philly are sales, customer service and management.

I am in the communications field and if you want to narrow it down, it's public/media relations. I graduated from Temple University 2 years ago and found no problem looking for and landing a job. Use what you got in front of you, don't be afraid to ask questions and always have your resume handy. Those 4, 5 (maybe more) years of college will definitely pay off in the long wrong.

Una noche to remember (4th Annual Stroll Show & After-Pary)

If there's one thing to sum up last night's activities it would be this photo:


This was def a show to remember. I'm glad to have been the "executive producer" of the show haha. Thank you to my brothers Randy, Joseph and Jeff for all the hard work you guys put through internally to make this happen. We had some of our usual performers, some that have come back from old shows and as always the newcomers! Everyone's performance were memorable. But congratulations to Corazones Unidos Simpre/Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. for taking the prize!

Here are some of my favorite highlights:

• Shout out to those people who came at 6:20 p.m. to get early seating!
  
• Shout out to Greekster (Jesus). Thanks for the support and can't wait to see the videos/photos
  
• SLU's special guests :D
• LAU's "unexpected" special guests & "Latinos for Obama" celebration
  
• OPB and LPC make it out all the way from New York for their first ever stroll show in Philly. You guys def killed it!
  
• Gamma Phi Sigma & Zeta Phi Beta bridge the gap with their unity stroll
  
• CUS's Ballerina stroll...I'm into nuggets ya...im into nuggets ya!
• LTA with one of the only "cultural" performance of the night
  
• PSP's creepie joker stroll
• Delta Chi Psi def entertained the crowd during intermission
• Shout out to everyone who came out to the after-party!
  
• And last but not least to the son of a bi*** that decided to push me while strolling you will get yours! I can easily say what org he is from but I won't. I think we went back and forth twice pushing as we both strolled but that's a big NO-NO in my book. Luckily I was smart and walked away. I'm not sure what would've happened if I were "old navaja".
  

The 1-Thing that Could've Stopped the Phillies

So all the Latinos in the Temple University area decided to watch the game at Maxi's on Temple's campus. So much fun, we were all in our little corner being (Latino) loud haha.

And as you can see we were all wearing our PHILLIES red (or as I like to call it the little people color).

However, sure enough the one thing that could stop the PHILLIES from winning the WS actually happened...rain! A Philly.com article says it best...Soggy Phillies fans upset over MLB's decisions