Upcoming events for the Spring semester
The Spring semester is approaching quickly and with a lot of events in tow. Ensuring that Saddleback remains an eventful place, The Associated Student Government gave a sneak peak of upcoming events for the 2010 spring semester.
In celebration of Martin Luther King week ASG is holding the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: Exploring Social Action Through Religious Diversity on January 16th to appreciate diversity. Several student clubs and organizations will represent their religious –or lack of–views and explore the different ways to see the world. ASG hopes this will influence better understanding of one another’s perspectives.
“I’m on Diversity Student Council and I have had a lot of people come to me and ask if we were planning to focus on religious diversity at all.” Mel Fenerci, 18, communications/public relations said, “Students will be more informed about different religious or non religious backgrounds.”
Hence, the cooperative effort between several clubs on campus and various community organizations to plan Interfaith. There will be workshops and presentations from 8 a.m-1 p.m. exploring the cultural and social and effects of religion among other topics. A light breakfast and lunch will be served. There is expected to be a full panel of representatives for the conference and students are welcomed to voice their views.
“It is our hope that this conference will enable people from different religious backgrounds to better understand one another and to find common ground and values for addressing issues of social justice” Fenerci said.
Always wanted to have your own swapmeet or farmers market, but didn’t want to drive far? That is soon to change. On February 7, Saddleback will organize it’s first ever Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re aiming for environmentally friendly vendors and to be a better community all over.” Asha Vaswani, 20, political science said.
At the moment, Vaswani is looking for potential vendors who will sell green environmentally friendly products. Talks with campus safety have also ensured for a safe farmers market. Residents from San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch and Laguna Beach have all been invited to attend the new event.
To bring awareness to the series of conflicts in Africa, Kiyan Yazdi is planning the African Awareness week in the first week of February. “There are four major conflicts in Africa; Rawanda, Darfur, the Congo, and Uganda.” Kiyan said. “Each day we’ll be raising awareness for different conflict in a different part of Africa.”
There will be booths, and vendors and some AIDS awareness as well. Guest speakers and representatives from Darfur are expected to attend to give support and recruit help. There will be pamphlets and T-shirts among other things handed out to raise awareness. “It‘s time to face the facts and help in one way or another.” Yazdi said. “Our generation is generous and like to help.” The event planning is still in progress.
Speaking of weeklong events, ASG’s Green Committee aspires to keep their message clear: an environmentally friendly campus.
Earthweek will feature many of last semester’s vendors and more to sell their environmentally friendly products and raise awareness for a greener community. Students can expect a live band, green vendors, organic foods, speakers, electric car demos, and raffles all week. There will be green peace demonstration, a composting demonstration, documentary showings, and a raffle.
There is a flyer contest for Earthweek to be added.
If you feel your voice is unheard, attend the ASG Senate town hall event where campus problems will be discussed. If you have a question or concern about Saddleback College, please attend the meeting, which is yet to be scheduled in the Spring. Heavily discussed issues such as the implemented smoking ban, budget cuts, parking, and classes being cut will be up for question and comments.
“It’s extremely important for students to come.” Secretary of events Sonia Vaswani said. The more students that participate, the more ASG can do to help.
The long awaited photomural project will finally be set up in the Spring. Plans are being drawn out for the seven feet tall-arch-like display that will demonstrate how diverse Saddleback is.
Dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge. Saddleback will also hold a dodge ball tournament in tennis courts. Students can set up their own teams and engage in dodging red bouncy balls in a competitive tournament. The date is to be announced.
A new grant format is to be launched, although details are not known yet. This would help get money directly for programs without ASG being the “middle man” however; there is intensive work to be done by the college and the district.
The Five Minutes Project is a group on campus dedicated towards improving people’s lives and the community though random acts of kindness and compassion. Students can be engaged in The Chain Link project by writing a random act of kindness they performed or saw happened on pieces of paper found in the SSC 211 all of December. The Link project is aiming to make a chain over seven miles long.
Some other events that students can look forwards to include; Persian New Years, Awareness Week, and blood drives.