Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - May 5th!

Come party with LATINOS EN ACCION, Ethnic Programs & Services, and Residence Hall Association as they host the BIGGEST FIESTA of the SPRING!!!

Enjoy an afternoon full of..

*** FREE CHIPOTLE***

*** FREE FROZEN DRINKS***

*** MUSIC, DANCING, & PERFORMANCES ***

.... Oh and lets not forget our attraction, JOUSTING & MECHANICAL BULL!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Register Now for the RAPP 25 Year Reunion! - "Reunion by the Numbers"

To be able to order the right amount of food & drinks and to get the right amount of gifts for participants, we've been asking everyone to register for the reunion by May 1st (though we can get by with by Monday morning, the 2nd).

Registration is easy - and free for most!  Simply go to www.regonline.com/RAPP and complete the forms there.  It takes many only two minutes to complete!


For inspiration to register if you haven't already, the reunion "by the numbers":

600 Estimated number of RAPPers
250 Estimated RAPPers we've reached
49  RAPPers registered [for the reunion] on Friday [today]

15  Years since the last reunion
16  Months the committee's been planning the 25 Year Reunion

18  Volunteers working the reunion
45  Minutes the campus tour lasts

3   Hours the party lasts
∞  How long the memories last!


The 25 Year Reunion - It's kind of a big deal.


Register now!

Please Register for the RAPP 25 Year Reunion by Monday Morning!

We're 3 days away from when we most need your registration for the RAPP 25 Year Reunion and 16 days out from the reunion itself!

If you haven't yet, register online for the reunion at this link!

Toni of RAPP X said "I am attending to see How things have changed in the past 10 years and to hopefully impart some wisdom to the next generation."

Abigail of RAPP VIII won't be able to attend but said she wants to be there because "RAPP is single-handedly one of the greatest experiences in my whole life" - she still talks about her experience regularly today as a motivational speaker.

I'm going because I've been in awe of this phenomenal program since I started at UC in 1998 and have wanted to be connected to the whole community of RAPP for a long time.

Why are you attending the reunion?  Or, why do you wish you could?  What has RAPP meant to you in your life?

Let us know here!

Race & Sexuality Program Follow-Up: Thoughts on Inclusion & Exclusion

On Wednesday evening, RAPPORT came together with members of UC Alliance, Genderbloc, Stratford Heights complex, RA Class candidates, ROTC members, The Edge House and other parts of our UC community for a workshop called "Race & Sexuality Dialogue."

The event was organized by Lisa Watkins, RAPP XXIV grad and RA in Stratford Heights.  UC Alliance and GenderBloc helped heavily promote it.  Thanks to everyone's hard work 55+ people participated in this two hour dialogue.

Participants worked through several activities where we explored and shared our experiences throughout life around race and sexuality.  Our final activity of the night involved reacting to a quote and talking about ways we create and/or combat the situation/feelings it describes.

Here's the quote, from Movement in Black by Pat Parker:

If I could take all my parts with me when I go somewhere, and not have to say to one of them, "No, you stay home tonight, you won't be welcome," because I'm going to an all-white party where I can be gay, but not Black.  Or I'm going to a Black poetry reading, and half the poets are antihomosexual, or thousands of situations where something of what I am cannot come with me.  The day all the different parts of me can come along, we would have what I would call a revolution.

In groups, participants reacted to the quote and shared their understanding of it and experiences related to it.

Then, each group compiled a list of things they've seen others do or done themselves that created situations where people felt like the poet described - where only part of themself was welcome rather than the whole.  Below is a word cloud of what the groups stated (the larger the words, the more groups that said it).  Click the picture to see the full image:

The groups also spent time recording things they've seen others do or done themselves that combat situations like the poet described, creating environments where people are welcome as the whole, complex being they are.  Here is a word cloud of that - again, click the image to see the full image:



Many thanks to all the people who attended and participated in the program on Wednesday!

Want a similar program?  Or, any other program?  Be sure to check out the RAPP Outreach page and see what we can do!

RAPP/RAPPORT Service Day

Service is one component of our RAPPORT program and every quarter we set up a day to get out and serve our community. 


This quarter we are opening up the day to any and all RAPPers. And for this service day we will be helping Public Allies and Cincinnati Union Bethel (CUB - Cincinnati's oldest non-profit), build a natural playground at CUB's Head Start academy in Winton Terrace!!! 


We will be going there on Saturday May 7 from 9am - 12:30pm; transportation can be provided.


To give a little background...the students at CUB work inside and have little opportunity to enjoy nature. What a natural playground does is serve as a way to immerse the children in nature. A natural playground is what it sounds like - a play space made up of natural items like plants, gardens, and tree stumps, etc.


If you are interested in volunteering please RSVP to Kinsey (uc.rapp@gmail.com) by 4pm on Monday May 2. What we need to know is:

• Your name 
• Your email address 
• Your phone number
• And will you need a ride or will you be driving yourself?

Register Online Now for the 25 Year Reunion

The RAPP 25 Year Reunion is only 17 days away!

Our committee has been hard at work since last last February (2010, not 2011) preparing for this event - the first of its in fifteen years!

We found as many RAPPers as we could, talked through dozens of items, and are planning the best party we can!  Now we need the people!

Please register online for the event by May 1st so we can finalize our food and gift orders to make sure there's enough to go around at the event!

Click on this group photo from the RAPP 10 Year Reunion to go to the registration site!

QueerCat Pride Week - May 1st-6th!

From the UC LGBTQ Center:

QueerCat Pride Week is a week dedicated to educating the UC community on LGBTQ issues and concerns and having some QueerCat fun! During this week, we show the campus community that the UC LGBTQ community is here and proud to be Bearcats!

Sunday, May 1st
3:00 p.m. Queer Paint Party. @ Steger Student Life Center

Monday, May 2nd
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Same Sex Financial Planning. @ The Alumni Center. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by Student Activities and Leadership Development and the Alumni Association.

7:00 p.m. Andrea Gibson. @ ERC 427. Sponsored by GenderBloc.

Tuesday, May 3rd
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Queer Sexual Health. @ The Max Kade German Cultural Center, 736 Old Chemistry. Lunch will be provided.

Wednesday, May 4th
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. QueerCat Pride Tent. @ McMicken Commons. Hang out with us, get to know us and pick up resources!

7:00 p.m. Open Mic Night. @ Catskeller. Sponsored by The Alliance.

Thursday, May 5th
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. QueerCat Pride Tent. @ McMicken Commons. Hang out with us, get to know us and pick up resources!

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lube-a-Palozza. @ McMicken Commons. Sponsored by the Wellness Center.

7:00 p.m. Dinner & A Movie: A Fish Out of Water. @ CRC 3240. Sponsored by GenderBloc.

Friday, May 6th
9:00 p.m. Gender F*ck Drag Show. @ Catskeller. Sponsored by GenderBloc.

Why We Need Your Help Promoting the Reunion

The graphic above demonstrates a point I've been recently encouraged to share broadly in our RAPP community.

I estimate that approximately 600 people have completed the RAPP year experience.  By mail, we've only been able to find 216 of these people.  We likely are reaching a few more by email and Facebook, but the only hard number I have is those 216 by mail.

When I came into the RAPP Program Coordinator position, I made the unfortunate discovery that we didn't have a record of who had completed RAPP.  No one around at that time was able to pinpoint why and it really doesn't matter why - what mattered was starting to gather that information.

I've been hard at work since November 2008 compiling names.  Countless individuals have helped in that process.  Dr. Abercrumbie, Bleuzette Marshall, Kimberley McGinnis - to name a few - sat down with photos and try to reconstruct groups.  The community on Facebook doubled our list of names by tagging RAPPmates and friends.  A dozen RAPPers have answered the pleas on our history site to contact us with names. Robin Selzer and the staff of the Alumni Association and UC Foundation assisted in finding people through UC records.  Plus, I've kept detailed records of everyone since my RAPP year of RAPP XXII.

All of that, and we've found just over a third of who we think we're looking for.

For that reason, if you're a RAPPer and are in contact with any of your RAPPmates - please take a few minutes to check in to make sure they know about the upcoming reunion!

If you have a few more minutes, head over to our history page and check out your RAPP group.  Who are we missing?

Reel Sex Film Festival: For Colored Girls - Apr 27th!

REEL Sex Film Festival: Dinner & A Movie: For Colored Girls

Wednesday, April 27 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

CRC Room 3210

Join us for the end of the REEL SEX Film Festival with a movie hosted by Shades of You! 

Based off of a play by Ntozake Shange, this movie addresses the issues of body image and self-respect that affect women of color.

Come enjoy this great movie while eating some delicious FREE food!

Watch For Colored Girls and discuss!

Worldfest 2011: BLACK is Beautiful - Apr 28th!

From UBSA:

Worldfest 2011: BLACK is Beautiful
Thursday, April 28 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
AACRC 

Worldfest 2011 is HERE!

The United Black Student Association wants YOU to support it by coming out to the "Black is Beautiful" program this Thursday, April 28th at 7pm in the AACRC!!

We will be looking at skin complexion and how it can be looked down upon or praised depending on your culture. This will be a program you don't want to miss!!

Come show your support for UBSA!! 

Volunteers Needed to Speak About "Bullycide"

From Felicia Gang:

My name is Felicia Gang. I am the Secretary of Graduate Student Association at the School of Social Work. 

As you may have heard or have seen the posters circulating around campus, I am facilitating the ANTI-Bullying campaign "Solidarity Walk of Silence" march on UC's campus. The event is held May 11, 5-7pm. 

I have contacted Scott Wegener with News Channel 9-WCPO. He does plan to shoot the event. He would also like for me to find a couple of people willing to talk of their stories relative to bullying. 

If you know someone who has committed suicide or "bullycide" because of being bullied and would like to talk about it, please let me know asap at gangfa@mail.uc.edu or FeliciaMUC2007@yahoo.com. Thank you for your help!

Graduate Student Seeks First-Generation Students for Focus Group

From Stephanie Talbot:

If you are a first-generation student, you may be eligible to participate in a study.  The study would require one meeting, lasting about an hour, which would require you to discuss your experiences here at UC with a small group of students.  

For your participation you will be given a $5 Subway restaurant certificate.  The investigator is particularly looking for students of various racial/ethnic groups and in different stages of their educational careers.

If you are interested, please contact Stephanie Talbot by email talbotsd@mail.uc.edu or by phone at 513.556.4596.

Register Now for RAPP 25 Year Reunion

The RAPP 25 Year Reunion is only a few weeks away!

All former and current RAPPers are invited to participate in this exciting event celebrating a quarter century of RAPP work at the University of Cincinnati.  The reunion is Saturday, May 14th and is being held in the Myers Alumni Center.

All participants are being asked to register at www.regonline.com/RAPP by May 1st.  Registration is free for most - alumni who can are asked to may a $10 donation, but the event is free for current students, recent graduates, and those who can't pay.

Whether you're able to attend or not, we're encouraging RAPPers to share their reflections on and memories of RAPP here. Take a few minutes to share yours!

Need some motivation? Check out this video trip down memory lane!

RAPP in MainStreet Stride

MainStreet Stride is a campus tradition - a springtime foot parade of red and black. Each year RAPP joins in the fun of MainStreet Stride to rep ourselves as part of Student Life to the University. All RAPPers are invited to come out and join us again this year!

The parade begins at University Pavilion (right by the water fountain), and proceeds down MainStreet to Campus Green.

Please meet us at University Pavilion @ 11:45am and look for other RAPP members with signs, and don't forget to wear your RAPP t-shirt if you have one, or red and black if you do not yet!

There will be a free picnic in front of the Myers Alumni Center immediately after the parade, featuring a performance by the UC Bearcats Band, awards, and Student Government Inauguration.

How Should Bearcats Act in the Classroom? - Civility Program Apr 27th!

From the Civility Program Series Committee:

You are cordially invited to attend the third installment of the civility program series (Civility in the Classroom) on Wednesday, April 27th at noon in 427 TUC.  This program will have a panel of students and faculty talking about their perspectives on what it means to be civil in the classroom.  Feel free to forward this information to any interested colleagues and students.  I hope to see you there.

EPS Events for WorldFest 2011!

From Ethnic Programs & Services (all names link to Facebook events):

TACOS ON TUESDAY 

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2011

12PM-2PM

STEGER 555

**FREE Tacos!!

HOLI FESTIVAL 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011

5PM-7:30PM

SIGMA SIGMA COMMONS

FREE TRADTIONAL INDIAN FOOD! LIVE DJ AND MUSIC! DANCE PERFORMANCES!  HOLI COLOR THROWING!  

INTERNATIONAL FASHION SHOW

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

6PM-8:30PM

TUC-GREAT HALL

Come enjoy a fashion show showcasing Indian, Latin American, African, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese clothing as well as special Belly Dance, Polynesian Hula Dance, Bhangra, and hip-pop performances!

Solidarity Walk for Prevention of "Bullycide" - May 11th!

From the School of Social Work's Graduate Student Association and the UC Women's Center:

Solidarity Walk for Prevention of "Bullycide"

Wednesday, May 11 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Solidarity Walk for Prevention of “Bullycide”

Presented by the School of Social Work’s Graduate Student Association and Women’s Center. Special thanks and kind assistance of Mother Chanak and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center.


...About the “Walk of Silence”: The Walk of Silence is dedicated to those individuals who have been victims of bullying in hate crimes and to those who have committed suicide due to being bullied. Participants are welcome to create their own posters/flier(s) to use during the silent walk while providing the audience with their own personal experiences or statistics regarding victims of bullying.

When: Wednesday; May 11, 2011

Where: Participants will meet at The School of Social Work (French Hall). From there we will have a brief rally and then start the “Silent Walk” throughout campus, dedicated to those who have taken their lives due to bullying.

Time: 5-7p.m.


“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will always remember the way you made them feel...” ~Maya Angelou


Any other comments/questions contact Felicia Gang at gangfa@mail.uc.edu 

TIPS Global Monopoly Game - Apr 27th!

The Career Development Center present’s The Annual International Career Forum

Play TIPS* Global Monopoly Game

A Worldfest Event 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 12-2pm in the Great Hall