KNOXVILLE — The Student Government Association at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be hosting its annual Diversity Week Sunday, Feb. 28, through Thursday, March 4.
This year’s theme is “I am not my stereotype.” Each day will have a different theme representing different aspects of diversity on campus. The purpose of the week is to open students’ eyes to differences they may not be aware of at the university.
All Diversity Week events are free and open to the public.
“The goal of Diversity Week is to promote diversity on campus and to celebrate the diversity we have among the student body,” said Kevin Wang, SGA Diversity Affairs co-director.
The week will start off with “TruExpressions: Not Your Average Poetry Slam,” from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, in the University Center Auditorium. The event will feature poets reading their original pieces. A reception with light refreshments will follow the event.
Monday will focus on “Reflections of the Disability Perspective.” The day will begin with the Diversity Job Fair, which will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in Thompson Boling Arena. Then, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the University Center Hermitage Room, SGA will team up with Disability Services for an event featuring former UT students with visible and hidden disabilities.
Tuesday’s concentration will be “Gender & Politics.” This event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in University Center Room 226 and will cover sexuality, gender and political issues. Attending students will see which role they have been assigned and a forum discussion will be held afterward.
“World Religions” will be the topic on Wednesday. From 7 to 9 p.m. in Hodges Library Auditorium, a discussion on stereotypes of the world’s most popular religions will strive to answer students’ questions on religious views. The book “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know — And Doesn’t,” by Stephen Prothero, also will be discussed. There will be a screening of a short film based on the book.
On Thursday, student cultural organizations will provide presentations and native foods for “Culture Clash,” 5 to 8 p.m. at the International House.
Diversity Week is sponsored by the SGA’s Diversity Affairs Committee. For more information visit http://sga.utk.edu.
—
C O N T A C T :
Rebekah Winkler (865-974-8304, rwinkler@utk.edu)